Karen Gastle

Working in the interior design industry, you have no doubt heard all about hacks for organizing a home. There are plenty of DIY ideas floating around on sites like Pinterest, covering everything from reducing clutter in a small space to designing around organization.

 

Download our free guide about how business management software can help design  firms stay organized.

 

Not much is said about how interior designers can stay organized, however. You know running a business can be messy work, both literally and metaphorically. Everything from your workspace to your time needs to be organized.

 

Use these six hacks to stay organized, even in the middle of a huge project.

6. Create a Schedule

Effectively organizing time is fundamental for interior designers, and creating a schedule is perhaps the most effective method of organizing. And it will make you more successful in your field. A schedule creates an easy point of reference for you as you prioritize tasks.

 

Be sure to set deadlines for each and every task. Work back from the deadline in your schedule to ensure you allot yourself enough time to complete the task. Later, you can use the schedule to determine where you can slot in new tasks that crop up and to focus your workday.

5. Look to Your Workspace

This may seem obvious: Being organized depends a bit on the physical state of your workspace. Spare a few moments to tidy up and clear off your desk or at least organize those file folders.

 

You should also organize your electronic workspace, creating a logical filing system and labelling important items. This will help you find the information you need quickly and easily, which can save you time.

4. Learn the Art of Delegation

Too busy to complete everything on your to-do list? That is, unfortunately, not an uncommon problem for interior designers. Rather than trying to do everything yourself (or even feeling obligated to do it all), learn the art of delegation.

 

Are some of your tasks simple but timeconsuming? Delegate them to others whose desks are a little clearer. Be sure to sort out which tasks will absolutely need your attention from those that you do not need to have a personal hand in.

3. Communicate

Much as interior designers need to be masters of delegation, so too do they need to be expert communicators. If you delegate a task, you still must communicate effectively about it, or the employees who end up completing the work may not know what they are supposed to do. This can lead to problems where tasks have been incorrectly completed and must be redone.

 

Effective communication also means communicating changes to clients and working with vendors and contractors, which means you need to communicate the project parameters and expectations to each person involved. You should also communicate via a variety of channels: by text, email, and telephone, and in person as well.

2. Use the Right Software

Technology is a huge boon for interior designers in their struggle to stay organized. The right software can help you do everything from create schedules to set reminders about meetings and deadlines to help you keep track of your notes and manage your accounting.

 

Interior design business software can help you manage projects from start to finish, while also help you manage your accounting and other aspects of your business strategy. Apps that allow you to keep notes and upload them or track your time on various projects can also assist you as you work to be more organized.

1. Look after Your Accounting

Accounting often gets neglected in interior design firms, which causes more than a few headaches for interior designers. Stay on top of your accounting not only by using the right interior design business software but also creating a better accounting system.

 

Schedule your accounting tasks, and use tracking tools such as purchase order numbers in order to make accounting a breeze.

 

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Karen Gastle

As an account manager, Karen has experience working with design firms of all sizes to integrate DesignDocs to streamline business processes, increase administrative efficiencies, and deliver higher profits.
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