Expanding Your Interior Design Business Online: Revenue, Reach & Real Growth
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How to Expand Your Brand and Income Digitally
The landscape of interior design is changing. More than ever, designers and creatives are shifting their businesses online — not just to market their services, but to generate new streams of income, reach wider audiences, and build brands that go far beyond one-to-one client work.
Whether you’re just launching your business or expanding an established studio, the online space holds powerful opportunities. In this blog, we’ll explore why designers are moving online, what it really takes to succeed, and how you can start earning with tools like affiliate marketing, digital products, and educational content.
Why Designers Are Moving Online
Interior design is a naturally visual and personal industry — which makes it especially suited to digital growth. By sharing curated content, behind-the-scenes insight, expert advice, or even your favourite product finds, you open up the opportunity to build trust and connection with audiences who value your style, vision, and knowledge.
But there’s more to going online than connection. There are also big-picture business benefits.
Here are some of the top reasons designers are building an online presence:
Scalability: You’re no longer limited by your time or location. One digital product can be sold to thousands.
Diverse Income Streams: With downloads, affiliate commissions, and online offers, you’re no longer tied solely to billable hours.
Increased Brand Awareness: Online platforms offer low-cost, long-term visibility.
Expert Positioning: When you create resources, templates, or content, you’re seen as a trusted expert.
Work-Life Flexibility: Fewer site visits and more online options allow for better balance and freedom.
In fact, according to a 2024 report from Statista, global ecommerce revenue for digital goods — including templates, online education, and digital downloads — is projected to exceed $350 billion by 2027. Designers are already tapping into this, especially those with a strong aesthetic, refined processes, and something to teach.
What to Expect: Time Investment
Building a digital branch of your business takes effort — but much of it can be done in stages, and unlike traditional client work, digital assets can continue earning passively.
For example, designers often begin by creating content (such as blog posts or Pinterest boards), before moving into affiliate marketing and digital products.
Here’s a general overview of what to expect when starting out:
Platform setup: This is a one-time task (your website, email tool, shop setup).
Content creation: Expect to spend 3–6 hours per week creating value-based content.
Product development: Each product (template, eBook, course) may take 2–10 hours.
Marketing and SEO: Allocate 1–3 hours weekly to visibility efforts.
Refinement and analytics: Spend at least 1 hour per week reviewing what’s working.
You don’t need to launch everything at once. The key is choosing the right tools, staying consistent, and building from a clear foundation.
The Essentials: What You’ll Need to Get Started
To grow online, you’ll want to create a basic digital ecosystem. These are the essential pieces to begin with:
A Website or Blog
This is your online home. Use it to showcase your services, host your shop, publish blog content, and collect emails. Tools like Squarespace or Showit are ideal for interior designers.Pinterest and Instagram
Pinterest is excellent for SEO and long-term traffic, while Instagram builds trust and connection. Together, they form a powerful duo for attracting and nurturing your audience.An Email Marketing Tool
Don’t wait to start collecting emails. Platforms like MailerLite and Flodesk allow you to build your list and create simple automations — even before you start selling.A Design Tool (like Canva)
For creating promotional graphics, downloadable PDFs, and branded visuals, Canva Pro is an easy and professional solution.An Ecommerce or Affiliate Platform
If you’re selling products, try Etsy, Gumroad, or your own website. For affiliate marketing, Amazon Associates, LTK, Awin, and CJ Affiliate are great places to start.
Three Simple Ways to Earn Online as a Designer
You don’t need a huge following to earn income online. You just need valuable content and a way to connect it with the right people.
Here are three popular income streams to explore:
1. Affiliate Marketing
This involves sharing a link to a product or service and earning a small commission when someone purchases through it.
For interior designers, it’s a natural fit. You’re already recommending products like lighting, rugs, paint colours, and decor. Adding affiliate links simply turns those recommendations into potential revenue.
Some great options for designers include:
Amazon Associates: Perfect for everyday finds and home essentials.
Wayfair, West Elm, Etsy: Many offer affiliate programs through Awin or CJ Affiliate.
RewardStyle (LTK): Ideal for building a curated “shop my favourites” feed.
Use your affiliate links in blogs, newsletters, Pinterest pins, or Instagram stories — just make sure to disclose them clearly.
2. Selling Digital Products
This is where things get exciting. Digital products require upfront effort, but they can generate recurring revenue without the need for inventory or shipping.
Product ideas could include:
Welcome packages, contracts, and care guides
Mood board templates and presentations
Project planners or budget trackers
Style guides or renovation checklists
eBooks or room design workbooks
You can sell via:
Etsy for visibility and built-in traffic
Gumroad or Payhip for ease of use
Your own website for full branding and control
With the right mix of SEO and social promotion, even one well-designed product can generate ongoing income month after month.
3. Educational Resources
If you’ve gained experience, you have something to teach — whether it’s design principles, business strategies, or client process tips.
You could create:
Downloadable guides or resource libraries
Video tutorials or mini-courses
Paid newsletters or membership content
Live Q&A sessions or mentorship packages
Designers can offer educational resources to homeowners (how to style a space or plan a remodel), or other professionals (how to create better proposals or avoid common project pitfalls).
And while building a course might feel intimidating, even a simple downloadable checklist or workbook can become a top seller when packaged well.
Getting Started Without the Overwhelm
The online space can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling client work at the same time. But growth happens one step at a time.
Here’s a phased approach to help you start small:
Create a few blog posts, or share value-based tips on Pinterest or Instagram.
Begin incorporating affiliate links into your content.
Create one simple digital product (a template or guide).
Start collecting emails and building your list.
Promote your content consistently to gain traction.
As your confidence grows, so will your income — and your audience.
Realistic Earning Potential
Here’s a simple example to show what’s possible, even at modest levels:
Client Welcome Template sold at $29 with 20 monthly sales = $580
Style Guide eBook at $19 with 40 monthly sales = $760
Affiliate Links bringing in approx. $300/month
Email Mini Course sold at $39 with 15 sales = $585
Total estimated monthly income: $2,225
That’s over $25,000 a year — and that’s before launching a full course or digital shop. The more you grow your visibility, the more your earning potential increases.
Final Thoughts: Build a Business That Works for You
Taking your design business online isn’t about giving up what you love. It’s about creating more space, more options, and more impact.
It allows you to keep working on beautiful spaces while building a brand that grows independently from client hours. It offers the flexibility to teach, sell, create, and connect — all on your own terms.
If you’re curious about digital income streams, follow along as I share the journey. And if you’re ready to start building your own templates and tools, explore the resources I’ve created to help you do just that — with ease and intention.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin.
You just have to start.
“I believe that if you are true to expressing yourself, coupled with the right amount of discipline and routine, your space can reflect your personality, and you can turn your home into your haven.”
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