167. Let’s talk about how to set your hourly rate as an interior designer ( replay)

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Setting your hourly rate as an interior designer can feel confusing, emotional, and honestly a little awkward. In this episode, Laura breaks it down in plain English and shows you how to set an hourly rate that actually supports your business, not just your calendar.

You’ll learn why copying what “other designers charge” is a fast track to burnout, what your rate truly needs to cover (including overhead, taxes, software, and non-billable time), and how to stop underestimating the real time it takes to deliver an excellent client experience. Laura also walks through the most common mistakes designers make when they choose a number out of thin air, and how to confidently adjust your pricing without fear, guilt, or over-explaining.

If you have ever thought, “I’m busy, but the profit isn’t there,” this episode will help you reconnect the dots between your rate, your process, and your take-home pay, so you can price like a CEO and build a design business that pays you well.

Step-by-step guides, AI Chat GPT Made Simple and Claude Made Simple, start at the very beginning and then walk you through building your own role-based AI assistants, complete with prompts, checklists, and plug-and-play workflows you can implement immediately. 
Get both guides (and more designer resources) here: https://thebusinessofbeautifulspaces.com/designer-resources

In just one focused hour, we’ll dive into whatever you need most—pricing strategies, client management, attracting high-end clients or building repeat business. You’ll get clarity, strategy, and expert advice based on my 27+ years of running a thriving, seven-figure design firm.

This is your chance to get real answers to the questions you’ve been dying to ask—from someone who’s actually been there.

Book your session as you need it—no strings attached.

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the  principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON.  Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. 

The Business of Beautiful Spaces  I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design                                      I @thorntondesign