What’s Actually Working Right Now to Get Interior Design Clients

If you’ve felt like getting new clients has been “different” lately, you’re not imagining it.

Projects are taking longer to close.
Inquiries feel less consistent.
And even when people reach out, they’re asking more questions, taking more time, and thinking more carefully before moving forward.

For a lot of interior designers, this creates a quiet panic:
“Am I doing something wrong?”

You’re not.

What’s happening right now isn’t a you problem—it’s a market shift. And the designers who are still booking consistently aren’t necessarily doing more marketing…

They’re doing different types of marketing on purpose.

The Big Shift: From Visibility to Trust

There was a time when visibility alone could carry your business.

Post beautiful work.
Show up consistently.
Get inquiries.

But today’s client is more informed, more cautious, and often making larger financial decisions with more scrutiny. I have called this a “trust recession”.

Which means they don’t just need to see you.
They need to trust you.

And trust isn’t built in one post or one touchpoint, it’s built over time, through multiple interactions, across different platforms and experiences.

That’s why the most effective marketing strategies right now fall into two categories:

• Active strategies: create momentum and immediate opportunities

• Passive strategies: build trust and consistency over time

You need both.

Active Strategies: What’s Creating Momentum Right Now

These are the things that are helping designers generate leads and conversations in the short term.

1. Relationship-Based Networking

Referrals aren’t gone but they’re not as automatic as they used to be.

The designers seeing consistent referrals right now are actively building relationships with:

• Builders

• General contractors

• Architects

• Realtors

And importantly they’re doing this in person, not just online.

These relationships work because you’re stepping into borrowed trust. When a builder refers you to a potential client, they are already pre-sold on your credibility.

One strong industry relationship can outperform months of posting on social media.

2. Social Media That Starts Conversations (Not Just Shows Work)

Posting beautiful photos isn’t enough anymore.

Your content needs to help potential clients understand:

• How you think

• How you make decisions

• What it’s like to work with you

The shift is from portfolio to perspective.

What’s working right now:

• Behind-the-scenes decision making

• Budget transparency conversations

• “What clients don’t see”

• Educational content about your process

And most importantly, clear calls to action.

The goal isn’t just likes. It’s conversations. DMs. Replies. Engagement that leads somewhere. You need to make sure they know the next step to work with you on social media now more than ever.

3. Past Client Re-Engagement

This is one of the most overlooked opportunities in your business.

You already have a group of people who know you, trust you and have experienced your design genius.

And yet, most designers rarely stay in touch after a project ends.

Simple touchpoints like these can make a big impact:

• Checking in after a project is complete

• Anniversary messages

• Letting them know when you’re booking for a new season

These clients are your best source for repeat projects, referrals and easier, faster sales. They are happy to hear from you, so step out of your comfort zone.

4. Strategic Follow-Up (Where Most Revenue Is Lost)

Most designers assume that if a client doesn’t move forward quickly, they’re not interested.

But right now, clients are taking longer to decide.

They’re:

• Talking to partners

• Reviewing budgets

• Comparing options

• Waiting to feel confident

Which means the designers who win are the ones who follow up thoughtfully and consistently.

Following up isn’t pushy. It's professional.

In many cases, the sale doesn’t happen on the first call. It happens in the follow-up.

Passive Strategies: What Builds Long-Term Consistency

While active strategies create immediate opportunities, passive strategies are what stabilize your business over time.

They allow leads to warm up, build trust, and move toward you even when you’re focused on client work.

1. Nurture Email Sequences

With longer sales cycles, email is more important than ever.

Not everyone is ready to hire the moment they find you. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be ready in a few weeks or a few months.

Nurture emails allow you to stay connected and build trust over time.

This might include periodic follow up emails, monthly newsletter, and your nurture emails.

Your emails are doing work behind the scenes—answering questions, overcoming objections, and reinforcing your value.

2. A Website That Converts (Not Just Looks Good)

A beautiful website is expected. A strategic website is what books clients.

Right now, your website needs to clearly communicate:

• Who you’re for

• What your process looks like

• What working with you actually involves

• How to take the next step

One of the biggest mistakes designers make is treating their website like a portfolio.

But your website isn’t just there to showcase your work. It’s there to convert visitors into inquiries.

3. SEO That Matches Real Client Behavior

Search engine optimization isn’t just about ranking for “interior designer in [your city].”

Today’s clients are searching for answers first.

Some things they would look up online are:

• “How much does interior design cost?”

• “What does full-service interior design include?”

• “Is hiring a designer worth it?”

When your content shows up in those searches, you’re meeting potential clients earlier in their decision-making process and positioning yourself as the expert from the start.

SEO is a long game, but it compounds over time so keep going with your strategies.

4. Content That Works Beyond the Post

Not all content is created equal.

Some content disappears within 24 hours. Other content continues to work for you for months or even years.

This includes:

• Blog posts

• Pinterest content

• Searchable, educational resources

If all of your content lives on platforms where it quickly fades, you’re constantly starting from zero.

Creating content that lasts gives you momentum that builds over time.

The Real Strategy: You Need Both

Active strategies help you create opportunities now.
Passive strategies ensure you’re not starting over every month.

A simple way to think about it:

Active marketing is like cooking dinner tonight.
Passive marketing is like stocking your pantry so you’re not scrambling every day.

Both matter.

What’s Not Working Like It Used To

If you’ve been relying on these, this might be why things feel harder:

• Only posting finished project photos

• Waiting for referrals without nurturing relationships

• Relying on a single marketing channel

• Expecting clients to make quick decisions

None of these are wrong—they’re just incomplete in today’s market.

How to Keep This Simple (So You Actually Do It)

You don’t need to do everything. You need to do the right things consistently.

A simple weekly rhythm could look like:

• 2 relationship touchpoints (industry partners or past clients)

• 2–3 intentional social posts

• 1 email (or a nurture sequence running in the background)

The goal isn’t more marketing.

It’s more effective marketing.

The Designers Who Are Still Booking Right Now

The designers who are continuing to book consistent projects aren’t necessarily the most visible.

They’re the ones who are:

• Building trust, not just attention

• Prioritizing relationships, not just reach

• Showing up with intention, not just consistency

Getting clients right now isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing the right combination of things and doing them well.

Ready to Look at What’s Actually Working in Your Business?

If you feel like you’re showing up, but not seeing consistent inquiries, it’s likely not a visibility problem. It’s a strategy problem.

And the good news is—that’s something you can fix when you work with The Design Bakehouse.