Running an interior design business is equal parts creativity and organization. While the design work is where your passion lies, the backend of your business — managing projects, communicating with clients, and keeping track of details — requires systems that make everything run smoothly. The right tools can simplify your workflow, help you stay organized, and free up more time for creativity. Whether you’re just starting or refining your processes, these business tools will help you run your design business with ease.

Project Management: Keeping Everything on Track

Interior design projects have a lot of moving parts, from client communication to ordering materials and tracking deadlines. A project management tool keeps everything in one place so you can stay on top of every detail.

ClickUp or Asana
Both ClickUp and Asana offer easy-to-use project management systems that allow you to create tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members. You can break down projects into phases, create timelines, and ensure every detail is accounted for.

Ivy or Mydoma Studio
For interior designers, industry-specific project management tools like Ivy or Mydoma Studio offer features tailored to your needs. These platforms help with product sourcing, invoicing, and client collaboration, making them a great all-in-one solution for managing design projects.

Client Communication: Keeping Clients in the Loop

A seamless client experience starts with clear and consistent communication. A client relationship management (CRM) tool can help you keep track of inquiries, follow-ups, and ongoing projects.

Dubsado or HoneyBook
Dubsado and HoneyBook help interior designers manage client communication, send contracts and invoices, and automate workflows. These tools ensure that every client receives a smooth, professional experience from inquiry to project completion.

Voxer or Loom
Sometimes, a quick voice message or video walkthrough is more effective than an email. Voxer allows you to send voice messages to clients or team members, while Loom lets you record video messages to walk clients through design concepts, proposals, or revisions.

Design and Mood Boards: Bringing Ideas to Life

Bringing a vision to life often starts with inspiration boards, digital renderings, and color palettes. The right tools can help you create beautiful presentations that communicate your ideas effectively.

Canva
For interior designers who want a simple, intuitive tool for creating design boards and marketing materials, Canva is an excellent option. It allows you to create mood boards, Instagram posts, and even client presentations with ease.

Adobe Photoshop or InDesign
For more advanced design needs, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign offer professional-grade tools for creating polished presentations, renderings, and marketing materials.

Sourcing and Procurement: Organizing Your Selections

Sourcing materials and managing orders is a big part of interior design. Having a streamlined system for tracking selections, pricing, and availability will save you time and keep projects running smoothly.

Tearsheet or Mydoma Studio
Tearsheet is an online platform that helps designers organize product selections and create beautiful presentations for clients. Mydoma Studio also includes sourcing and procurement features, allowing you to track product orders and manage vendor relationships.

Pinterest
Pinterest remains a valuable tool for organizing design inspiration, saving product ideas, and sharing visual concepts with clients. A private board for each project allows you and your client to collaborate and refine ideas before making final selections.

Accounting and Invoicing: Keeping Finances in Order

Managing the financial side of your business doesn’t have to be complicated. The right accounting tools can help you track expenses, send invoices, and keep everything organized come tax time.

QuickBooks or Wave
QuickBooks is a widely used accounting tool that allows you to track income, expenses, and invoices all in one place. Wave is a great free alternative for managing small business finances and sending professional invoices.

Stripe or Square
For collecting payments, Stripe and Square offer simple, secure ways for clients to pay online. These tools integrate with many invoicing systems, making it easy to get paid quickly and efficiently.

Website and Marketing: Attracting Dream Clients

A beautiful website and thoughtful marketing strategy help potential clients discover your work and connect with your brand. Investing in the right tools makes it easier to maintain a strong online presence.

Showit
Showit is a flexible, user-friendly website platform that allows interior designers to showcase their work beautifully. It’s fully customizable, which means you can create a website that reflects your brand and style effortlessly.

Flodesk or Kit
Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with past clients and nurture potential ones. Flodesk and Kit make it easy to design beautiful newsletters, automate email sequences, and grow your list with lead magnets.

Later or Planoly
Social media is a powerful marketing tool for interior designers, but keeping up with content can be overwhelming. Later and Planoly allow you to schedule Instagram posts in advance, ensuring a consistent presence without the stress of daily posting.

Final Thoughts

Running an interior design business involves many moving parts, but the right tools can make everything feel seamless. From managing projects and communicating with clients to showcasing your work and tracking finances, these tools will help you create a more efficient, enjoyable workflow.

If you’re looking for a beautifully designed website to showcase your work, explore our Showit website templates created specifically for interior designers. With a blend of strategy and style, they’ll help you attract and book your dream clients effortlessly.

Elevated Marketing Templates for Interior Designers

Your interior design business deserves a brand and marketing strategy as polished and intentional as the spaces you create. At Coastal Template Co, we offer done-for-you Showit website templates, Flodesk newsletter templates, and Canva Instagram templates — designed to help you showcase your work beautifully, connect with your ideal clients, and market your interior design business with ease. Explore our collection of relaxed yet refined marketing templates for interior designers and create a seamless, sophisticated online presence that elevates your brand.