How to Offer Interior Design Consultations Clients Will Happily Pay For
- Melanie Zaelich
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
If you’re feeling drained or stressed out by full-service projects or frustrated that your free advice keeps getting ghosted — you’re not alone. A lot of designers hit that same wall and wonder, “Is there a better way to run my business?”
Spoiler: there absolutely is.
A consultation-driven interior design business model is a very flexible, very profitable way to deliver massive value without the endless sourcing, installs, and project management that can stretch your time (and sanity) thin.
Consultation-based design services is in high-demand, so many people are looking for help rather than having everything done for them. People are looking for value in the expertise, but they also want to put their stamp on their home, or manage the project themselves or they want to do the work on their timeline, not yours or the contractors.
🎙️ Want to listen in instead? I’ve been a guest on three great podcasts talking about this shift: LuAnn Nigara on A Well-Designed Business Podcast Darla Powell on the Wingnut Social Podcast Interior DesignHer Podcast
Tired of Giving Away Free Advice?
How many times have you answered a “quick” question over DM, offered advice during a meet-and-greet, or spilled your best ideas during a free consult — only to have the client disappear?
I hear all the time:
“I feel like I’m doing all the work upfront, for free.” “People pick my brain, but they don’t hire me.” “I don’t want to manage full projects anymore — I just want to design!”
First of all, don't give away your intellectual property, your ideas, expertise for free. This is where paid consultations come in. When done right, they aren’t just a teaser for bigger projects — they are the service. A well-structured consult delivers real transformation in real time, and clients love it when they leave with clarity, ideas, and direction.
Can You Really Build a Business Around Consultations?
Yes.
1000 times yes!
My interior design business, Happy Place Interiors is the consultation model, and I've worked with over 2,000 homeowners over the past 10 years. Now, I'm helping other designers do the same through my course The Designer’s Blueprint: Mastering A Consult-Driven Interior Design Business.
You don't have to give up full-service — but you can give yourself another option.
With a consultation-based model, you can:
Work with more clients in less time (just a few hours a week!)
Keep your calendar flexible (you decide when, no surprise issues)
Reduce project overwhelm (in and out fast)
Set clear boundaries (it's a must)
Focus on design, not logistics (homeowners will tell you what they want o hear and you tell them your recommendations)
Get paid for every ounce of your expertise (100%!)
And here’s what clients love most about it:
“I love that someone with fresh eyes will come in and just give me ideas I may never have thought of—and I can shop around for items in my budget. I love that this option is affordable. Otherwise, something like this would have never been an option for me.”
“We are very hands-on but want a chaperone to help ensure we don’t mess up our space.”
“We want to take our time in designing and making this house our home, but love the idea of having a master plan to ensure it all comes together in the end.”
It’s a win-win: they get expert guidance, and you get a fulfilling, flexible, and scalable business.
From Free to Fee — Here's How to Charge With Confidence
So, how do you go from “pick my brain” to “please pay this invoice”?
Start by packaging your consultations as their own valuable service. Think beyond the hour — you’re giving clients answers, ideas, shortcuts, and peace of mind.
Here are a few examples:
Ideas & Inspiration Session (90 min) – for a room refresh or finish-the-space session
Paint Color Consultation
Designer Deep Dive (2.5 hrs) – for big decisions, layout options, or choosing between renovations
Designer for a Day (5 hrs) – for homeowners who want to move forward fast, with a co-pilot by their side
How much should you charge? That depends on your experience, your location, and what’s included. But no matter what, price with confidence. Your brain is the value.
“I don’t need full-scale design services, but I’d love someone with an eye for design to help me make decisions. I have zero graphic/visual sense, so I need help!”
What to Include in a Paid Interior Design Consultation (That Clients Will Love)
You don’t need to overdeliver to be valuable. A great consultation is focused, collaborative, and actionable.
Here’s what a typical session might include:
A questionnaire to gather background and goals
Photos of the space beforehand
You give live, expert feedback on layouts, finishes, color, lighting, furnishings, and more
Idea confirmation and refinement — or totally new inspiration
A follow-up summary, notes, or a checklist depending on the package
Clients love the freedom and flexibility this approach offers.
Many of mine say they love:
“Instead of you making the ultimate decision, I like that it’s a collaborative process. I also like that there is a real desire on your part to empower me as the client to understand how to make my own design decisions, instead of making them for me.”
“We need fresh ideas and we can figure out the details. Sometimes we just need someone to confirm or challenge what we’re already thinking.”
They’re Not Paying for Time — They’re Paying for Your Brain
Clients don’t want to pay for hours. They want results.
Think about it like this: if someone is stuck choosing between 40 shades of white and you say, “Use Chantilly Lace. Here’s why,” you just saved them three days and a meltdown.
That’s what they’re paying for — clarity, momentum, and confidence.
“I need fresh ideas and inspiration, a partnership to confirm ideas, and a down-to-earth approach that fits our lifestyle.”
Your job isn’t to pick out every single item or control the process — it’s to empower them with expert direction so they can move forward with ease.
Market Like a Consultant, Not a Full-Service Designer
If you're pivoting to (or adding) consultations, your website, social media, and messaging need to reflect that.
Some quick ways to get visible:
Add a “Book a Session” button front and center
Optimize your service pages for terms like “virtual interior design,” “design consultation,” and “home decorating help”
Share real-life client stories and wins from your consults
Make it easy for people to understand what’s included and how to book
“I have ideas but I’m overwhelmed. I love learning about all things home. I’m pretty hands-on and want to work within my time frame and budget.”
That’s your ideal client. And there are thousands of them searching for someone just like you.
Quick Answers to Common Questions About Interior Design Consultations
Do I need a portfolio if I only offer consultations? A full portfolio isn’t required, but beautiful, high-quality photography is best to have. However, what sells consults are results. Share before/afters, screenshots of notes, testimonials, or just a quick story showing how your ideas helped someone move forward.
Consultation vs. Full Service — Which is Better? It depends on what is better for you. Consultations offer quicker wins, less risk, and often higher satisfaction for both you and the client.
How do I package consultations by the hour? Offer clear time blocks (like 90 minutes or 5 hours), describe what’s included, and price it like a valuable product — not a time trade.
You Don’t Have to “Do It All” to Have a Successful Design Business
Here’s your permission slip to stop overdelivering, undercharging, and overbooking.
You don’t have to manage massive installs or chase down trades to be a great designer. You can design your own version of success — one 90-minute session at a time.
And if you love the idea of:
Helping clients make confident decisions
Sharing your expertise without the overwhelm
Running a business that fits your life…
Then the consultation model might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Want the Full How-To on Interior Design Consultations?
This comprehensive course walks you through:
Determing your Ideal Client
Structuring your services
Creating packages that sell
Building a client experience that gets rave reviews
How to market your business without paying for ads
How your messaging and branding should work to attract ideal clients
You'll learn everything that goes into running a profitable, fulfilling design business without doing full-service design — and you’ll hear from other designers who’ve made the switch and never looked back. Check it out here: https://www.thedesignersblueprint.com/the-designers-blueprint-full-course-branding-maketing-seo-consultations
“Despite my level of overall experience doing similar consults over the last several years — I am finding the Course dense with valuable information, and helping me understand in more depth many parts to the business side and Marketing/SEO side. I am so grateful for you!"
Prefer to listen on the go? I spill even more consultation secrets on these podcast episodes: LuAnn Nigara on A Well-Designed Business Podcast Darla Powell on the Wingnut Social Podcast Interior DesignHer Podcast — Melanie (Mel) Zaelich is an award-winning interior designer, branding strategist, and SEO expert dedicated to helping fellow designers build wildly successful businesses—without the stress of full service design or marketing. Learn more about Melanie.
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