Why Your Interior Design Marketing Isn’t Working, And What To Do About It

Ever feel like you’re stuck on a hamster wheel with your marketing? You’re posting on Instagram, popping into the odd networking event, maybe even dabbling with some Facebook ads… but no actual clients seem to be coming through the door?

It’s so disheartening, isn’t it?

But what if I told you there’s almost always a reason behind that lack of traction, and it’s probably not the one you want to hear?

Here’s the cold, hard truth: most interior designers aren’t getting results because they’re either not putting in enough effort… or they’re putting their energy into the wrong things. 

And then they’re left scratching their heads, wondering why nothing’s working.

So, if you’ve ever said, “I’ve tried marketing, but it doesn’t work for me,” then consider this your wake-up call!

The Marketing Myth Most Interior Designers Believe

I see it time and time again. A designer launches a beautiful website, opens an Instagram account, maybe sends out an email to their nearest and dearest… and then waits. 

When the client enquiries don’t start flooding in immediately, they throw their hands up and say:

“Marketing doesn’t work for interior design!”

Or worse…

“Marketing doesn’t work for me.”

And so begins the cycle.

They start spending time in forums or groups, lamenting how “hard” it is to find clients. They talk to other disillusioned designers and convince themselves it’s the economy, or the algorithm, or some other external factor.

But here’s what they should be doing:

Looking inward, at what’s actually broken in their marketing strategy.

The Real Reason Your Marketing Isn’t Working

Let’s be honest. Nine times out of ten, a marketing issue isn’t really about marketing at all.

It’s a persistence problem. 

It’s a strategy problem. 

It’s a lack of analysis.

Marketing isn’t magic… it’s methodical. If you’re treating it like a lottery ticket rather than a strategic business function, you’re always going to be disappointed with the results!

David Beckham didn’t become a football legend by taking a few shots, missing, and declaring that free kicks “don’t work.” No. He practised. Repeatedly. Relentlessly. Even when no one was watching.

The same principle applies to your marketing.

Posting a few times on Instagram or going to a couple of networking events doesn’t mean you’ve “done marketing.” It means you’ve dabbled. And dabbling won’t bring in consistent clients.

What Are You Actually Measuring?

Here’s the question that stops most interior designers in their tracks:

“Which of your marketing activities is actually generating paying clients?”

Not likes. Not comments. Not admiration from friends. Actual revenue-generating, contract-signing clients.

If you can’t answer that question, you’re not marketing… you’re guessing.

And unfortunately, that’s how most designers operate. They’re playing chess like it’s a game of chance. Random moves, no clear plan, just hoping something sticks.

But hope is not a strategy.

The Ugly Truth: Consistency Over Creativity

Now, I’m not saying talent doesn’t matter. But the designers who are consistently booking clients? They’re not necessarily the most creative or visionary.

They’re the ones doing the boring bits consistently.

The emails. The follow-ups. The analytics. The strategy.

It’s not glamorous. It’s often tedious. But it works!

What Effective Marketing Actually Looks Like

Let’s break this down into three crucial components. These are the foundations of marketing that actually works for interior designers:

1. Consistency Trumps Perfection

Would Beckham have become world-class if he only practised when he felt like it?

Absolutely not.

Yet many interior designers treat marketing like something you do when you feel inspired. You post when the mood strikes. You send a newsletter when you remember. You pop into a networking event if it fits your schedule.

And then you wonder why you’re not seeing results.

Here’s the truth: marketing is not a tap you turn on when you need clients and off when you’re busy. It’s a pipeline that needs consistent maintenance. Even when you’re fully booked. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’d rather be designing.

2. Think Like a Scientist, Not a Magician

Marketing is not a mystery. It’s an experiment.

Just like scientists, we need to formulate hypotheses and test them. That’s how you determine what actually works.

Your hypothesis might look like this:

“Posting three times per week on Instagram, using local hashtags and showcasing transformation photos, will generate new client enquiries.”

Brilliant! Now test it.

But here’s the catch: not for a week. Not even for a fortnight. Test it for 90 days.

That’s how long it takes to gather meaningful data. Anything less, and you’re just reacting emotionally instead of strategically.

3. Track Everything, and I Mean Everything

I know, I know. Many of us creatives didn’t get into this business because we love spreadsheets. But I’m here to tell you: this is where the real transformation happens.

If you don’t know how many people are visiting your website… how many of those join your email list… how many enquiries you get… and what percentage of those turn into clients, you’re flying blind.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

Think about it this way: if you’ve been attending a networking event for six months and don’t know whether it’s brought in any clients, how do you know it’s worth your time?

You could be spending four hours a month generating nothing, when that same time could be put towards marketing that actually converts.

So What Should You Be Doing?

Right, let’s get down to brass tacks. If you want your marketing to work, here’s the plan:

Step 1: Choose 2–3 Core Marketing Channels

Don’t spread yourself thin. Pick two or three channels where your ideal clients spend time. For most interior designers, I recommend:

⭐ A professional website

⭐ One social platform (often Facebook or Instagram)

⭐ Email marketing

That’s it. Not Pinterest, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, AND YouTube. Two or three, max. Master those before branching out.

Step 2: Create a Simple Tracking System

You don’t need fancy tools. A basic spreadsheet will do. Track the following weekly:

✅ Website traffic

✅ Email sign-ups

✅ Social media engagement

✅ Enquiries received

✅ Consultations booked

✅ Clients converted

Make a note of what content you published and any marketing activities you completed. Over time, patterns will emerge.

Step 3: Commit to a 90-Day Marketing Sprint

Give yourself three months of solid, strategic, consistent marketing.

No flaking. No chasing squirrels. Just execution.

At 30 days, review the numbers. At 60, identify bottlenecks. At 90, analyse the data and refine your strategy.

This is where serious business owners separate themselves from hobbyists.

Your Marketing Funnel Matters

Let’s take a quick look at your marketing funnel:

1. Awareness – Do people know you exist?
2. Interest – Are they engaging with your content?
3. Consideration – Are they visiting your website or joining your list?
4. Decision – Are they booking consultations?
5. Loyalty – Are they referring others or returning for more work?

Each stage needs to be tracked. Each one can be optimised.

The designers who understand this? They’re the ones with waitlists.

Ready to Get Strategic?

If you’re ready to get serious about diagnosing your marketing, I’ve created a free Marketing Troubleshooting Checklist. It’ll help you pinpoint exactly where your funnel is leaking and what to fix first.

Practice Doesn’t Just Make Perfect, It Makes Profit

Marketing doesn’t work when you dabble. It doesn’t work when you do it sporadically. It doesn’t work when you don’t track your results.

But when you approach it strategically, analytically, and consistently?

It works. Every single time.

So stop spinning your wheels. Get off the hamster wheel. Start marketing like the professional interior designer you are.

Because practice doesn’t just make perfect… practice makes profit.

Until next time!

Kate x