As an interior designer, you have unique skills and creative abilities that can be utilized in various side jobs. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, save up for a special purchase, or increase your financial stability, side jobs can be a great way to achieve your goals.
From freelance work to gig economy opportunities, there are plenty of options for interior designers looking to earn extra cash.
But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best side jobs for interior designers.
These jobs are flexible, pay well, and allow you to utilize the skills and experience you’ve gained as an interior designer. Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig or a full-time side hustle, there’s something on this list for everyone.
This article will explore some of the best side jobs that interior designers can do for extra money. From freelance writing to dog walking, there are various opportunities for interior designers looking to earn extra cash. Read on to learn more about some of the top side jobs for interior designers.
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1. Selling Handmade Decorations
The sale of handmade decorations is a viable side business for interior designers. Those with a flair for the arts and who enjoy working with their hands may find this a fantastic choice. You can sell your handcrafted ornaments in several places, including an internet shop or at a local craft show.
Choose which kinds of ornaments you’ll be selling as a first step. Some possibilities are seasonal decorations for the house, such as tree ornaments, wreaths, and table centerpieces. You should also think about the time and energy you’ll put into making each decoration and the required supplies. If you’re an interior designer, you have an excellent sense of style and can apply it to your DIY home decor.
You may start advertising your handcrafted ornaments to potential buyers once you have a firm grasp on the products you wish to sell and the processes by which you intend to bring those products into existence. Social networking, online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay, or even a stand at a nearby artisan fair or market are all viable options. Proactively promoting your items and increasing brand awareness is crucial.
2. Social Media Management
Interior designers may also succeed by dabbling in social media management as a side hustle. Taking care of a company’s or person’s social media presence means constantly updating and monitoring their profiles. Your duties as a social media manager will include writing and scheduling content, engaging with users, and assessing the efficacy of various promotional efforts.
To break into the field of social media management, you need to be well-versed in the numerous platforms and their business applications. Competent communication and the ability to provide interesting information are also prerequisites. If you’re an interior designer, you already have a solid sense of aesthetics, which helps you when making visual material for social media.
One option is connecting with local businesses and pitching your social media management services. You can also join a social media management firm or try your luck on freelancing platforms. Be prepared to put in the time and effort to get a job and advance your career.
3. Online Tutoring/Teaching

Online tutoring or teaching can be a wonderful second career for those with a love of learning and a desire to share that love with others. You get to help others learn new things from around the world, and you may set your hours.
First, if you want to become an online tutor or teacher: pick a subject or subjects you’re interested in teaching. You can teach basic courses like arithmetic and English or specialize in a particular area of interior design, like color theory or space planning. You should also be well-versed in the material and skilled at conveying that expertise to your charges.
Joining a tutoring organization or platform or starting your own tutoring business are options for those seeking online tutoring or teaching jobs. In addition to putting in the time and effort to recruit students and market your services, you’ll also need to be ready to put in the work necessary to prepare for each session.
4. Home Organization Services
Interior designers may also find success by branching out into the field of house organization as a side hustle. This entails assisting customers with the daunting chore of decluttering and organizing their dwellings. You can utilize your interior design expertise to help your clients choose storage solutions that serve their needs while complementing the room’s aesthetic.
You should first determine the nature of the home organization services you intend to provide. Assisting with decluttering and organizing the home could include rearranging the pantry, the closet, or the attic. You should also consider how much time and energy it will take to perform each task and the required resources and supplies.
Your home organization services can be advertised locally, on social media, and in online markets to attract customers. Being proactive in your job search and prepared to put in the time and effort to provide superior service to your clients is essential.
5. Personal Shopping Services
Clothing, furniture, and other objects are just some things that can fall under the purview of a personal shopper’s assistance. You have a strong eye for aesthetics and can utilize this knowledge to assist your clients in finding the perfect furnishings for their homes.
To launch a personal shopping business, you must first determine what services you would provide. For example, you may go shopping with your customers for clothing, home furnishings, or presents. Think about how long it will take you to finish each activity, how much you will enjoy doing it, and how much you will charge for your services.
Homeowners in your area are a good source of potential customers for your shopping services. Still, you may also advertise your business on social media and in online markets to expand your reach. Being proactive in your job search and prepared to put in the time and effort to provide superior service to your clients is essential.
6. Interior Photography

The term “interior photography” refers to the practice of shooting stunning photographs of the interior of a building or other enclosed area. Since you work as an interior designer, you have an excellent eye for composition and can utilize this expertise to capture the atmosphere of a room in your images.
To begin a career as an interior photographer, one must first make a financial investment in high-quality camera and lighting equipment, as well as training in the image processing software. Whether you’re looking to shoot houses, workplaces, or businesses, you’ll need to make that decision.
Reach out to area homeowners, real estate brokers, or businesses to promote your interior photography services. Social media and e-commerce platforms are additional channels for spreading the word about your company. You need to be proactive in seeking jobs and dedicated to putting in the time and effort required to provide your clients with excellent photographs.
7. Event Planning
Planning an event entails arranging everything from decorations to catering to guest lists. You can utilize your trained eye as an interior designer to help put together events that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
To launch your career as an event planner, you must first settle on the events and services you wish to specialize in. The venue, décor, cuisine, and entertainment could all be areas where assistance is needed. You’ll need to think about how much time and energy you’ll put into planning each event and how much money you’ll make from your services.
Reach out to area businesses, organizations, or individuals to promote your event planning services. Use online communities and marketplaces to spread the word about your company. Be eager to invest the time and energy required to provide your clients with memorable events and actively seek opportunities.
8. Furniture Assembly
Assembling furniture is a service that can be performed for homes or companies. If you’re an interior designer, you know a thing or two about putting together furniture that serves multiple purposes while still looking nice.
To launch a career in the furniture assembly industry, one must first determine what kinds of furniture (flat-pack or otherwise) they wish to assemble. You’ll need to calculate how much money you’ll make off each job and how much time and work you’ll need to put into it.
You can advertise your furniture-assembling services to nearby residents, businesses, and furniture shops. Use online communities and marketplaces to spread the word about your company. Proactivity in seeking employment and a willingness to put in the time and effort required to provide superior assembly services to customers is essential.
9. Virtual Design Services

Design consultations and other services can be provided via video conferencing or the internet. You can use your interior design knowledge and abilities to assist clients even if you’re not physically present.
As a first step toward launching your career as a virtual designer, you’ll need to settle on the exact design services you’ll provide, such as color consultations, floor plans, and interior style. The time and effort required to finish each project and the rates you’ll charge for your services should also be considered.
Finding customers for your virtual design services can be accomplished in several ways, including cold-calling local homeowners and businesses, posting ads on social media, and advertising in online marketplaces. Successful designers actively seek opportunities and are committed to putting in the time and energy required to provide their clients with superior design services.
10. Home Staging
Staging a home for sale is making it presentable to prospective buyers. If you’re an interior designer, you know something about making a space seem beautiful inside. This means you can assist homeowners and real estate agents in making the most of their properties’ selling potential by staging them.
As a first step in entering the house staging industry, you must decide whether you will provide complete or partial home staging services. As well as the costs, you’ll need to think about how much time and energy it will take to finish each project.
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Final Thoughts
Interior designers can supplement their income in several ways, including by taking on additional consulting clients, house staging projects, or even instructing others in the field.
These part-time gigs allow interior designers to earn extra money while developing their expertise and establishing professional connections.
Any interior designer wishing to pick up extra work or switch careers would benefit from having a well-written, detailed résumé to submit to prospective employers.
A well-written resume highlights an applicant’s strengths, such as their education, work history, and extracurricular activities, making them more attractive to potential employers.
If you’re an interior designer, our professional resume writers can assist you in creating a resume that stands out from the competition. Our writers have years of experience in interior design and can craft a resume to highlight the applicant’s particular qualifications.
Interior designers can get an edge over the competition by working with one of our professional writers to prepare a resume highlighting their skills and experience.