Karen Gastle

You know that the interior design industry is a very demanding one. Whether you are running your own firm or working with someone else, you no doubt find yourself juggling several different projects, all of them demanding your time and attention. Your schedule may become so jam-packed that it becomes difficult to envision time off.

 

You also know that it is important to keep a good balance between work and the rest of your life. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the demands of being an interior designer, do not fret: There are plenty of ways you can save time and reduce stress. Here are just a few ideas.

Take Stock of the Little Things

Have you ever been tempted to leave aside small tasks, such as recording hours worked on a project or filing your receipts? Perhaps you decided not to jot down a note because you were busy, and you were confident that you would remember. While it may not seem important at the time—after all, these are small tasks—it is these little things that can add up and take an inordinate amount of time later.

 

Instead of putting aside your receipts and letting them pile up, set aside 5 minutes each day to record expenses. Keeping good notes will help you in other areas, such as remembering where you saw a wonderful piece for your next project or tracking important meetings you need to set up. Keep notes by jotting them down or using a voice-to-text app on your phone.

Organize Your Workspace

There’s a saying that a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind—and an empty desk might imply an empty mind. If you have ever tried to work in a cluttered or messy space, however, you might quickly find yourself frustrated and distracted! Workspaces have a huge impact on the mind, something most interior designers already know. That is why you should take the time to organize your workspace and make it comfortable. An organized space will help you keep your thoughts—and your work—organized as well. A space that is inviting and comfortable will also help you relax. Just be sure not to make your space too comfortable, or you may find yourself unwilling to leave to get to your next appointment.

Use Business Management Software for Interior Designers

Rather than using a series of generic programs that do not fit your needs as an interior designer, why not invest in business management software designed specifically for your industry? These software suites come with a host of features and options that allow you to do everything from generating proposals and quotes to keeping your books with ease. Since the software is engineered with interior designers in mind, it takes into account the various facets of the job and the industry. Good options for interior designers will offer everything from mobile support, so you can keep working on the go, to fully integrated accounting functions that allow you to keep track of the financial picture alongside everything else.

Visualize Your Workflow

One thing that can be a drain on your time and make you unnecessarily busy or stressed is your workflow. Are you working in the most efficient manner? If you are unsure, take a moment and step back. Draw, jot down, or otherwise visualize your workflow. When you look at it, do you see places where improvements could be made? Perhaps you are repeating steps more than once when you do not need to, or maybe you are doing a task too late in the process—finishing it earlier would make other work simpler. Once you have a visual, it is easier to rearrange and envision how you might work more efficiently—which will both save time and reduce stress.

 

New Call-to-action

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.
Find Karen Gastle on: