Top 8 Time-Wasters for Interior Designers (Plus Solutions to Help!)

We all know someone who seems to have it all together, making us wonder, “How do you juggle it all?” Meanwhile, many of us are constantly battling with time management, trying to split our days between work, loved ones, home responsibilities, and self-care—while desperately seeking a bit of genuine downtime. Countless memes about this hit so close to home that you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. While I can’t offer the ultimate secret to balancing every aspect of your life, I can help you improve your workday to reclaim significant chunks of time that you can dedicate to whatever you choose. So, here it is the top 8 time-wasters for interior designers!

1. Not Tracking Time

Ever wonder where all your time goes? Without keeping tabs on your hours, it’s tough to stay on track with your project time budgets.

Solution:

Tracking time is a two-fold job. First, set up proper tracking systems that categorize your work by project and task type. Apps like Toggl or Harvest can help you monitor how much time you spend on different tasks. Second, regularly review your time reports to ensure you're sticking to your time budgets. Don’t have a time budget? It’s time to create one!

2. Poorly Defined Scope of Work

Scope creep can be a nightmare, whether it’s because you’re a perfectionist or because cheeky clients keep pushing the boundaries. Unplanned tasks can eat up your time and energy, turning a straightforward project into a never-ending saga.

Solution:

Clearly outline the scope of work in your proposals and contracts. Set boundaries and discuss them with your clients upfront. This way, everyone knows what to expect, and you can keep the project on track. Plus, having everything in writing makes it easier to handle any unexpected changes or requests.

3. Avoiding Project Management Tools

Sticking to outdated methods like Excel (no hate) doubles your workload and causes important details to slip through the cracks. More modern project management tools keep everything organized and easily accessible, freeing you from the chaos of scattered, unsynchronized notes and lists.

Solution:

Switch to project management platforms like Asana, Trello, or industry-specific tools like Studio Designer. These tools help you manage timelines, budgets, and communications all in one place. No more digging through infinite files and folders to find what you’re looking for.

4. Endless Sourcing Time

Finding the perfect items is many designers’ favorite part of the process, but it can also be a massive time drain. Without limits, you can easily spend hours hunting down that one perfect piece, leaving you behind on other important tasks.

Solution:

Set a time limit for sourcing each item and stick to it. Keep a well-organized vendor list that’s easy to search through, and build strong relationships with your suppliers for quick and efficient communication. This way, you can find what you need faster and move on to the next part of your project.

5. Waiting on Client Decisions

Refreshing your inbox, waiting for client feedback, and “just following up” again and again halts your progress and messes up your schedule. Without clear deadlines, you might find yourself stuck in limbo, unable to move forward with your work.

Solution:

Give clients clear deadlines for their feedback from the get-go and make sure they agree to them. Explain how timely decisions are important for keeping the project on track and avoiding unnecessary delays.

6. Ineffective Delegation to Team Members

Not delegating effectively can lead to a pile-up of tasks and slow down your workflow. Whether you’re avoiding outsourcing or not giving clear instructions, it’s a big time-waster that leaves you doing (or not doing) everything yourself.

Solution:

Learn to delegate tasks properly. Give clear and complete information to your team members so they can work independently. This will free up your time for more important tasks and help you focus on the bigger picture. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work!

7. Branding & Marketing Analysis Paralysis

Spending too much time on branding and marketing decisions (the perfect font, the perfect song for your Instagram story) can leave you stuck, wasting time that could be better spent designing. It’s easy to get caught up in all the little details.

Solution:

Hire a pro to create your branding kit and develop social media templates for you. This will simplify your marketing efforts and give you a cohesive and professional brand presence without spending endless hours on it. Let the experts handle it so you can focus on what you do best. 

8. Not Using Templates

Creating documents from scratch each time is a hard no. Having branded templates saves you a ton of time and keeps things consistent. Plus, it means all your materials will look polished and professional.

Solution:

Develop a set of branded templates for all your documents, like client presentations, proposals, and contracts. This speeds up your workflow and has everything looking top-notch. You’ll spend less time formatting and more time focusing on your designs (or whatever you want!).

Can you relate to one or more of these time wasters? The good news is there are solutions, and by taking a moment to reflect on your time management, you might just find yourself with several extra hours each week. You've got this!

xx, Danae

Productivity Hacks That Are Actually Backfiring

When your creativity is on the clock, productivity hacks can seem like the much-sought-after holy grail of efficiency and time management for interior designers. The market is flooded with books and courses promising to unlock the secrets that will finally make all of the facets of your work fall into place. Of course, there's always room for growth, learning, and fine-tuning our routines. But there are some so-called productivity hacks circulating out there that, if not approached correctly, might paradoxically hinder your progress. Let’s look at six examples!

1. Excessive Multitasking

The ability to juggle client meetings, design drafting, and supplier negotiations all at once seems like a superpower. The truth is that, just like we don’t have chameleon eyes, our brains aren't wired to handle multiple tasks effectively at the same time. Research suggests that multitasking can lead to reduced quality of work, increased stress levels, and even a drop in IQ comparable to missing a night's sleep. For tasks that require deep thought and creativity, like designing a living space, focusing on one task at a time ensures the highest quality of work and innovation.

2. Zero Inbox Policy

The famous zero inbox policy is supposed to eliminate the stress of a cluttered email inbox by keeping it empty or nearly empty at all times. While this sounds ideal, the constant checking, sorting, and managing of emails to maintain an empty inbox can become a massive distraction. It interrupts the creative flow essential for interior designers, pulling their focus away from design work to attend to an endless stream of emails. Scheduling specific times for email management can help maintain focus on design projects without the stress of an inbox calling your name.

3. Social Media Scheduling

Hear me out on this one. I’m absolutely in favor of batch-planning your posts with a neat content or editorial calendar. However, an over-reliance on scheduled content risks making your brand feel impersonal and disconnected from your audience. Engaging with followers in real-time, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into your design process, and leaving a little room for the spontaneity of real life can foster a stronger, more genuine connection with your audience, even if it means spending a bit more time on social media.

4. Skipping Breaks to Work Through

The myth that working longer hours without breaks boosts productivity is just that—a myth. Especially for interior designers, whose work demands high levels of creativity and problem-solving, taking regular breaks is essential. Skipping breaks can lead to burnout and a noticeable decline in the quality of your designs. Short breaks throughout the day can refresh your mind, boost creativity, and ultimately enhance the quality and productivity of your work.

5. Overusing Digital Tools

Relying too heavily on digital tools for inspiration can limit exposure to tangible elements that might spark creativity. While software and apps can be incredibly helpful, over-reliance on them can stifle creativity. Sometimes, stepping away from the screen and working with physical models, sketches, or just playing with physical samples can spark inspiration in ways that digital tools cannot. Balancing the use of technology with traditional design methods is where it’s at.

6. To-Do Lists

Here’s another example of how it all depends on how it’s done. Creating to-do lists is a basic organization tool. But some designers actually procrastinate more by categorizing and segmenting their to-do’s in different ways when what they really need to do is dig in. Sound familiar? Try prioritizing a few key tasks each day that will make a significant impact on your projects and lead to more focused and high-quality work.

At the end of the day, every interior designer is unique, with different rhythms, preferences, and work styles. Experimenting, reflecting, and adjusting your approach based on personal experience and well-being is key to finding a sustainable and effective productivity strategy. Remember, the goal is not just to do more in less time but to enhance the quality and creativity of your work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

xx, Danae