Top 32 Best Interior Design Business Ideas

Do you love decorating spaces? Have an eye for colors, textures, and layouts? Then, starting an interior design business could be your perfect money-making passion.

The best part? You don’t need a fancy degree or huge startup costs. Many successful designers began with just a laptop, creativity, and social media.

In this guide, we will explore:

• Profitable interior design business ideas
• Important tips to start an interior design business
• FAQs 

Let’s dive in and turn your design skills into income:

#1.Online Interior Design (eDesign)

If you are a designer who loves tech, think of helping clients redesign their spaces virtually using Zoom, Pinterest mood boards, and free 3D tools like Planner 5D. Since you will work virtually, no in-person visits are needed. You will get good clients on Fiverr, Upwork, and Instagram.

#2. Office and WFH Space Design

With remote work booming, professionals want productive home offices. The initial investment is minimal to start this business is minimal, and one can easily find customers in coworking spaces, home offices, and small offices.

#3. Interior Design Course Business

Starting an online interior design course is a smart way to monetize your expertise. Identify a specific niche—like “Budget-Friendly Room Makeovers” or “Airbnb Staging Secrets”—and break it into digestible lessons. Use free tools like Canva for slides and Zoom for recordings, then host your course on platforms like Teachable or Udemy.

#4. Interior Design Blogging

An interior design blog builds authority and passive income. You can start with a simple WordPress site. Write 500–800 word posts solving problems like “How to Arrange a Small Living Room” or “Best Paint Colors for Rental Homes.” Monetize with affiliate links (Amazon, Wayfair) and display ads (after 10K monthly visitors).

#5. Cabinet Door Making and Repair

Cabinets and doors are very important parts of an interior look. You can start this specialized service-providing business. You can help people to get a new one or repair the old one with a new look.

#6. Ceramic Tile Sales and Installation

To start this business, you must have construction expertise and knowledge. People nowadays prefer tile instead of marble or mobile floor. Selling and installing ceramic tiles is a profitable business.

#7. Custom Furniture Covers

For furniture covers, everyone needs to depend on custom-made ones. The covers must be fitted with wall colors or the other furniture of the room. You can also work on a subcontract basis for an established furniture upholstery service or retailer of home furnishings.

#8. Fabric Shop

This is a very lucrative retail business in the interior design industry. Fabrics and linens are the most important materials. In addition to fabrics, sewing patterns, buttons, zippers, curtain rods, sewing machines, other sewing notions, and craft items can be sold to increase revenue.

#9. Airbnb Design Specialist

Airbnb owners need Instagram-worthy spaces to attract bookings. You can offer design packages specifically for short-term rentals. The start-up investment is not much as you will be using the client’s budget. Study top-rated Airbnb’s in your area and mimic their styles.

#10. Headboards Art

A decorative headboard featuring design and painting is always in demand. You can use your creativity by using different types of materials like wood, glass, leather, etc.

#11. Holiday and Event Decorations

People want to decorate their houses and even business places on holidays or events. You can help them with this temporary decoration requirement.

#12. Home Office Planner

The trend of operating a business from a home office is increasing nowadays. But the workspace must be fitted for office operation. according to your customer-specific requirement, you can help them to build a perfect home office with the optimum utilization of the space. Home office panning is now one of the most successful interior design business ideas in the present day.

#13. Home Storage Solution

Home storage is a real challenge. People always look for an arrangement that stylishly serves the purpose of storage. You can help them out.

#14. Home Theater Rooms

Home theaters are becoming very popular. People want to enjoy movies in the comfort of their homes. With the right installation with the other construction aspect, you can convert a room into a home theater room.

#15. Hot Tub Installation

Hot tubs are luxury items, and they give a home extra value. Starting your own business that specializes in the delivery and installation of hot tubs is a great business to start from home.

#16. Hotel Art Supply

Hotels need a lot of artwork for interior design purposes. You can supply the items according to the specific need of your client.

#17. House Painting

House painting is a very simple business to start. It only requires a small investment to get going and even a small learning curve to master.

#18. Interior Landscaping

Apart from domestic houses, there is a great demand for interior landscaping for commercial places. This green business allows you to start with a small startup capital.

Learn More: Profitable Landscaping Business Ideas.

#19. Junkyard Furniture Creations

Effective, good-looking, and functional furniture can be made from junk. This is an innovative business that has minimum competition. The business is very profitable.

#20. Lamp Shades

Designer lampshades are always in demand. People prefer lampshades that match the other aspects of space like other furniture, wall color, and arrangements. You can start this business as a home-based also.

#21. Mattress Store

Mattresses and bedding products have good demand not only for domestic uses but also for commercial uses in hotels, hospitals, hostels, etc. The gross profit margin is very lucrative.

#22. Mirror Art and Installation

If you are an expert on mirror art, then start your own business of creating and installing mirror art as per your client’s choice. You can earn handsome revenue from this business.

#23. Interior Design Subscription Box

You can curate monthly boxes with sample paints, fabrics, and decor for DIYers. The startup cost of starting this subscription business will be around $1,000 to $5000. One can make $30-$100 per box easily. The business is ideal for trend forecasters.

#24. Party Balloon Supply

A party balloon service business is certainly not limited to only children’s birthday parties. You can establish business tie-ups with catering services, party planners, wedding planners, etc., to get more business.

#25. Home Staging

If you are passionate about real estate, consider staging homes for real estate agents to help houses sell faster and for more money. You can rent or thrift furniture to keep costs low. Other than local realtors, consider partnering with real estate photographers for referrals.

#26. Skylight Installation

Installing skylights is a great way to add glow to the room. But it must be installed in the right places. You can start this business from home with a small startup capital.

#27. Antique Furniture Refurnishing

Antique furniture is costly. And the owners always look for professional and experienced hands for it. You can start and operate this business from home.

#28. Wallpaper Sales and Installation

Nowadays, wallpapers are becoming very popular. It is more cost-effective than wall painting. You can start a wallpaper-selling and installation business from a retail space and also from your home.

#29. Window Shutters and Blinds

Window shutters and blinds are essential items in interior design. The manufacturing process of the window shutter is very simple. It doesn’t demand a big space.

#30. Windows Installation

By only replacing old windows, a whole makeover of a room is possible. Modern manufacturing methods and materials can be credited for this booming industry. This is one of the most demanded interior design services globally.

#31. Artificial Flowers Business

Nowadays, artificial flowers are widely used in interior decoration. These are used in domestic houses, for events and occasions, in hotels and restaurants, and to decorate commercial places. You can start arranging artificial flower business from home.

#32. Basement Remodeling

Everyone wants a decorative basement. You can help them in remodeling the basement and converting it into a comfortable living area.

Essential Tips to Start Your Interior Design Business

Starting an interior design business is exciting, but success requires planning. Here’s how to begin:

Define Your Niche

Specializing makes you stand out. Choose a focus like:

• eDesign (virtual services)
• Home staging (for real estate)
• Small-space solutions (apartments, tiny homes)
• Sustainable design (eco-friendly materials)

Pro Tip: Research local demand. For example, if your city has many Airbnb’s, offer rental property design.

Build a Portfolio (Even Without Clients)

No paid projects yet? Create mock-ups for:

• Friends/family’s homes
• Imaginary clients (use free tools like Canva or Homestyler)
• Thrift store flips (photograph before/after)

Pro Tip: Share these on Instagram/Pinterest with hashtags like #InteriorDesignPortfolio.

Start Small & Affordable

Attract first clients with:

• Mini-services ($99 color consultations)
• Package deals (“3-room eDesign for $500”)
• Barter trades (Design for a photographer’s studio in exchange for professional pics)

Pro Tip: Offer a satisfaction guarantee to reduce buyer hesitation.

Market for Free (or Cheap)

Grow your business with:

• Social media: Post reels of design tips
• Local partnerships: Partner with realtors or furniture stores
• SEO: Start a blog with posts like “Best Paint Colors for Small Spaces”

Pro Tip: Use Pinterest SEO (e.g., pin titles like “Modern Living Room Ideas 2024”).

Invest in Key Tools

Free/affordable essentials:

• Design: Planner 5D, Canva
• Biz mgmt: HoneyBook (for invoices)
• Marketing: Later (social scheduling)

Pro Tip: Track expenses from Day 1—save 30% for taxes.

FAQs About Starting an Interior Design Business

Do I need a degree to start an interior design business?

No! While a degree can help, many successful designers are self-taught. Clients care more about your portfolio, creativity, and results than formal education. Start with small projects to build experience.

How much does it cost to start?

You can launch for $0–$500 with:
✔ Free design tools (Canva, Planner 5D)
✔ Social media marketing (Instagram, Pinterest)
✔ Low-cost biz registration (LLC costs vary by state)

Higher-cost ideas (like home staging) may need $1K–$5K for furniture rentals or inventory.

How do I find my first clients?

Try these free/cheap methods:

• Offer discounted rates to friends/family in exchange for testimonials
• Post before/after pics in local Facebook groups
• List services on Thumbtack, Houzz, or Fiverr

How much can I realistically earn?

• Side hustle: $500–$3,000/month (e.g., eDesign, organizing)
• Full-time: $5000–$15,000/month (e.g., staging, Airbnb design)
• Passive income: $300–$10,000/month (e.g., affiliate marketing, courses)

What if I don’t know how to price my services?

Start with:

• Hourly: $50–$150 (good for organizing/consultations)
• Flat fee: $200–$5,000 per project (e.g., $800 for a room design)
• Value-based: Charge 1–3% of a client’s total project budget (common for high-end design)

Pro Tip: Research competitors’ pricing in your area.

Do I need insurance to start an interior design business?

Yes, if you:

• Handling clients’ expensive items (e.g., staging)
• Work in homes (general liability insurance)
• Hire employees

Budget: $300–$800/year for basic coverage.

Which niche is most profitable?

These 3 niches have high demand and profit margins:

• Airbnb/Vacation Rental Design – Owners pay a premium for bookings
• Home Staging – Realtors need staged homes to sell fast
• eDesign – Low overhead, scalable online

Can I run this business part-time?

Absolutely! Many designers start while:

• Working a 9–5 job
• Parenting
• Attending school

Best part-time options: Virtual color consults, closet organizing, or flipping furniture.

What legal steps do I need?

• Register your business (LLC recommended for liability protection)
• Get a tax ID (free from the IRS)
• Check local permits (some cities require licenses for home services)

Pro Tip: Use LegalZoom or ZenBusiness for easy setup.

How do I stand out from competitors?

• Specialize (e.g., “I design ADHD-friendly home offices”)
• Show personality on social media (behind-the-scenes content)
• Offer guarantees (e.g., “Love your mood board or get 50% back”)

Final Words: The interior design industry is worth $25 billion in the US alone. Whether you want extra cash or a full-time business, there’s room for you.