This article will discuss the ways that interior designers can make money. The paid service model is more common and generally more lucrative.

It's best if you plan to sell a design, so you can take in a profit without all the overhead of starting your own design business.

Here are some of the ways that interior designers get paid.

1. Commission Models

The first way that interior designers make money is via a commission model. This is an old-fashioned method. An interior designer will take a flat fee to design a home.

This doesn't always work for every interior designer, but it's an option that some firms have used. For instance, there is a firm in Ottawa, Canada, called Cityflora, which works on commissions.

The people there have constructed a full-service landscape design company where they build the garden, and then the clients can hire an interior designer.

2. A Firm with Paid Designs

This is one of the most common ways that interior designers make money. Homeowners that hire you to design their home will pay a firm a certain fee, and part of that fee will go to you.

You're going to be the one that figures out which rooms need renovations and how to get the budget to complete them. This is how you build a business, and it's an excellent way to make money.

3. Freelance Design Consultation

You might think that working on a house can't possibly be profitable. However, if you're in charge of a homeowner project, you will need to look at how you can run a profitable company.

You can run a firm as a solo contractor or work as part of a team.

In some cases, interior designers will be hired for specific projects. If that's the case, then you can expect to have a lot of client work.

The interior designer will work with the homeowner to create an internal design plan based on their wants.

If you're looking to work as an interior designer for the sole purpose of making money, then you might find that homeowners are interested in a short-term consulting gig.

You'll be paid a fee to build a design plan based on the homeowner's requirements.

4. Designing for Clients

You might decide that you're not satisfied with your current day job, or you might not have the time to focus on the business.

If this is the case, you might decide that the best way to go is to start designing for clients.

5. Designing for a local interior design company

While not a standard model, you can also design for a local design company. There are usually additional fees for design services, which can be substantial. Sometimes these fees are fixed, but sometimes they are negotiable.

Make sure to ask about design fees in advance.

I once worked with a local interior design company that was flexible with designers, and most of us were based out of New York and California.

Realistically, a designer working in this way isn't likely to make a ton of money, so be careful and set your expectations accordingly.

The best part of this model is that it doesn't require you to give up your designs.

6. Advertising

Some designers go door-to-door or send flyers in the mail to sell their services. Others also create websites, such as the websites for Ahlers & Thomsen, Ward Brinton Inc., and Eric Myers Inc.

7. Work with franchises

In recent years, home interior design franchises have been trendy. Martha Stewart Living, Omnimedia Inc., and HGTV Design Studios Inc. are a few examples.

Interior designers with a good work history and advertising know-how can be very successful in franchises and revenue for the franchise.

8. Work as an Independent Contractor

An independent contractor is someone who works without a company or corporation. They have no obligations to fulfill, are responsible for their work, and earn money as they please.

Many independent contractors work regularly, and in many cases, are commissioned by homeowners to redecorate their homes.

9. Print Publications

Designers can make money by selling their work through print publications or the internet. Businesses such as Elle Decor, a fashion magazine for interior design, feature interior design work.

These publications are a great way to build a client base. Graphic designers or web designers, for example, could work for several magazines and possibly still have enough time to do freelance work.

In this way, designers can build their client base, as well as advertise their work.