Business of Design® Podcast | Grow a Profitable Interior Design Business with Kimberley Seldon

A beautifully designed room doesn’t always feel good to live in. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Amanda Gibby Peters, founder of Simple Shui and host of the House Therapy podcast, about how interior designers can use practical feng shui principles to better understand how clients experience their homes. From identifying underused spaces to considering how furniture placement, artwork, and room layouts influence comfort and connection, Amanda shares a fresh perspective on creating homes that support the people who live in them. She also explains how designers can incorporate these ideas into their practice without needing to become feng shui experts. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to identify why a beautifully designed room may not feel right - Why sitting where your clients sit can reveal overlooked design problems - How to turn underused spaces into functional, meaningful parts of the home - How furniture placement, artwork, and layout can influence comfort and connection - Why curiosity and better client questions lead to more thoughtful design solutions - How to expand your design perspective while staying focused on your client’s needs

Interior designers are experts at creating beautiful, functional spaces—but what happens when the project extends beyond the walls of the home? In this episode, guest host Ellie Black sits down with landscape architect Emily Inglis to talk about the often-overlooked connection between interior and landscape design. Emily explains why the exterior should be treated as an extension of the interior, why landscape architects should be involved early in new builds and major renovations, and how better collaboration can prevent expensive mistakes before construction begins. From grading, drainage, zoning, and lot coverage to outdoor kitchens, pools, wellness spaces, and multi-generational living, Emily shares practical insight into how interior designers can bring greater value to their clients by thinking about the entire property—not just the rooms inside it. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why the landscape should be considered an extension of the interior—and how outdoor spaces can expand the way clients live in their homes - Why bringing a landscape architect into a project early can prevent costly changes involving grading, drainage, windows, doors, decks, pools, and lot coverage - How to help clients understand the investment required for a truly finished landscape and have better conversations about budget - The difference between a landscape designer, landscaper, and licensed landscape architect—and when each type of professional may be appropriate - Why interior designers and landscape architects can work most effectively as peers, collaborating directly to protect the client’s vision and avoid information getting lost in translation - How thoughtful exterior planning can create spaces for wellness, entertaining, gardening, multi-generational living, and year-round enjoyment

You know social media can help grow your interior design business, but getting comfortable on camera and posting consistently can feel like a project of its own. Marketing expert Daniela Furtado has a practical challenge for interior designers: publish your first 100 videos. Not to achieve perfection, but to find your voice, build confidence, and learn what connects with potential clients. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Daniela about creating a manageable social media content strategy for your interior design firm. From filming simple iPhone videos to planning a content calendar around your projects, expertise, and ideal clients, Daniela explains how to make video marketing more sustainable—and how to measure success beyond likes and views. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why your first 100 videos are practice, not perfection - How to overcome camera shyness and start posting - What interior designers should share to attract ideal clients - How to plan a content calendar without overwhelming your schedule - Why simple iPhone videos can outperform polished productions - How to measure social media results and turn visibility into business opportunities If you’re ready to stop overthinking your social media strategy and start building a consistent marketing system for your interior design business, this conversation will help you take the first step.

High Point Market is where interior designers discover what’s new, meet vendors, and source the pieces that bring projects to life. But what happens after the order is placed? Procurement, freight, receiving, storage, damages, and installation can quickly become some of the most time-consuming—and expensive—parts of a project. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Kathy Kuo, founder of Kathy Kuo Home and one of this year’s High Point Market Trend Spotters, about the business side of procurement. They discuss the hidden costs of shipping and receiving, why drop-shipping directly to clients can create major headaches, and how better systems can protect both the client experience and your profit margin. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why drop-shipping directly to clients can create costly problems • The hidden costs of freight, receiving, storage, damages, and claims • Why procurement needs to be part of your project pricing strategy • How outsourcing procurement can give interior designers valuable time back • How to protect your profit margin without giving up vendor relationships • Why better procurement systems create a better client experience

Why do interior designers always feel like there’s more to do? In this episode, Kimberley Seldon talks with Sierra Collins about why even highly motivated, successful designers can struggle to stay on top of their work. The problem isn’t a lack of effort—it’s often a lack of structure. For interior designers juggling clients, projects, sourcing, emails, contractors, team members, and the countless details of running a design business, it’s easy to spend the day reacting instead of making meaningful progress. Sierra shares practical strategies for taking back control of your workday, protecting your focus, and creating systems that help you get important work done. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why interior designers feel perpetually behind - How task switching drains productivity - How to structure your workday around your energy - Why vague to-do lists create decision fatigue - How to identify your “Big Three” priorities - Why goals need systems to succeed