How To Time Management as an Interior Designer | Simple Time management techniques
Sharing Simple Time Management Techniques for the First Time!
Running an interior design business is basically a constant juggle—quotes, emails, sourcing, site visits—and somehow still being creative on cue. I’ve tried all the apps. Built all the systems. At one point, I had a colour-coded Notion dashboard.
It was organised, yes. But also? Just so much.
It worked… kind of. Until it started giving me a mild headache every morning. And honestly, I spent more time managing the system than actually working. So I decided to strip it all back.
What I use now is simple, low-stress, and it actually helps me get things done.
Here’s how I manage my time as an interior designer using time management techniques that are straightforward, realistic, and flexible.
When “Organised” Becomes Overwhelming
I used to have a pretty elaborate setup to manage everything. Every task was scheduled, categorised, and automated to perfection. On paper, it was a dream. Technically, I was very organised.
But in reality? It was exhausting.
There was zero breathing room. No flexibility. And if I ever needed to show a colleague how to use my system… well, let’s just say it involved a whiteboard, a step-by-step guide, and a mild identity crisis. Not ideal.
That’s when it hit me: the best time management techniques aren’t about being perfect—they’re about being sustainable.
I used to think good time management meant cramming as much as possible into a tight schedule. Power through, tick it all off, win the day, right? But really, that just burned me out. I started dragging simple tasks across days because I was too overwhelmed to focus.
Getting more done doesn’t always mean better time management. Sometimes, it just means you’re sprinting straight into burnout.
The Real Life of a Design Business
If you run an interior design business, you know the deal:
- A hundred tiny tasks (that somehow eat up the day)
- Endless back-and-forth with clients and suppliers
- Multiple active projects with different timelines
- Quiet seasons where you finally might get to your own to-do list
So how do we manage time without losing it completely?
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Start With Your Goals (Real Ones)
Before diving into calendars and schedules, get clear on your goals.
Not just “grow the business” — I mean realistic goals you can actually track:
- Two blog posts per week = 104 a year
- Five Pinterest pins every Friday
- Two IG posts a week
- Website updates once a month
- Weekly marketing brainstorms
- 10 small to medium residential projects
- 3 Large residential projects
Also, personal goals matter. If Sunday mornings are sacred for workouts or family brunch, put that in. Your business and personal time need to live together—nicely.
Such as:
- 2 Weeks Oversea holiday
- Family time everyweekend
- Work out twice a week
Step 2: Annual Tasks Go First
Now list out everything you want to do regularly—weekly or monthly tasks.
📝 Write it all down. Keep it simple. No fancy planner yet.
Once you’ve got the list, drop those tasks into your calendar for the whole year. Notion, Google Calendar, Outlook—whatever you use.
Examples:
- Mondays & Tuesdays: Write blog posts
- Fridays: Schedule Pinterest content
- Wednesday: Instagram post
I like to spread out my tasks across the whole month—but honestly, it’s always best to start with just one week. Keep it manageable.
I block out my recurring tasks (like blogs, Pinterest posts, and IG content) . Most of these don’t take a full day, which means there’s still plenty of space for project work, client calls, or spontaneous Bunnings runs.
By slotting these small tasks into the calendar, I clear up the mental clutter. That never-ending to-do list feels a lot less scary once it’s actually planned out.
Simple time management techniques like this make the week feel less chaotic and way more doable.
Step 3: Keep Project Planning Super Simple
Now let’s talk about your design projects—the core of your business.
I use Notion to manage mine, but I’ve ditched the over-the-top dashboards. These days, I keep it streamlined:
- Just two things in my project table: Priority and Status
- There’s no next step.
Of course, inside each project page, I still keep space for notes and details—site measures, moodboards, product links, all the juicy stuff.
If you’re curious about how I set up my project pages, let me know in the comments—I’m happy to share the setup in another post.
Example:
Step 4: Know Your Process (And Stick to It)
Every interior designer has a process—even if you don’t have it written down. But if you’re new or feel scattered, writing it out helps massively.
Here’s my general process:
- Client brief
- Site measure
- Research
- Draft/concept design
- Finishes schedule
- Working drawings
- Final design presentation
Once you know your process, your planning becomes second nature. You’ll know what to do next without reinventing the wheel.
Step 5: Task Lists That Don’t Stress You Out
I don’t dump 47 tasks into my project list. Why? Because seeing everything at once makes me anxious—and I start jumping ahead.
Instead:
- Only list what needs to be done soon (within the next month)
- Hide anything that isn’t relevant right now
- Delete or calendar future tasks—don’t let them crowd your daily list
Example: If something won’t happen for 2 months, I don’t want to see it today. I set a reminder in my calendar and move on.
Step 6: Keep it All Linked (But Not Complicated)
How It All Comes Together
- All my must-do content and marketing tasks (blogs, posts, updates) go straight into my calendar for the year. Once they’re in there, I don’t need to keep checking my task list—they just pop up when it’s time.
- Then, I layer in project tasks as I go. No need to assign a super specific time to each one—just add them in and move them around as needed.
Because let’s be honest—things always come up. Clients change their minds, deliveries get delayed, and sometimes you just need a day off. Flexibility is key.
This whole system works because it’s lightweight. No complicated app stacks or endless syncing. Just a calendar, a simple task table, and a clear head.
And if Notion isn’t your thing? Google Sheets, Trello, ClickUp—even a good old notebook will do the trick. The best time management techniques are the ones that fit you.
Example: Must-Do Content Tasks in My Calendar
Example: Then Add In Your Project Tasks
Above are example only!
Step 7: Don’t Overload Your Days
One of the most important time management techniques I’ve learned: Don’t pack your day like a suitcase before a holiday.
I limit myself to 3 tasks per day—max.
Most of my listed tasks take half a day or more. That gives me:
- Buffer time for last-minute changes
- Flexibility if a task runs long
- Mental space to breathe (or snack)
Because real life happens. And if I get a clear day and finish early? I move the next task forward or take a guilt-free break. You deserve it.
Bonus Tip: Rest Is Part of Productivity
If you finish everything early, that’s not a sign to keep pushing. It’s a sign that your system worked. Go outside. Stretch. Get a coffee. Watch your dog sleep.
Resting keeps your creative energy up—and that’s crucial for interior designers. No one does their best work when they’re burnt out and snappy.
To Summarise
Here’s what I actually use:
✅ A calendar (any kind—Google, Apple, paper, whatever works)
✅ Notion or Google Sheets (or any planning tool you vibe with)
How I Make It Work:
- Set clear, realistic goals
- Write out your must-do list based on those goals
- Add the recurring tasks to your calendar first
- Create your project task list
- Slot those into your calendar too
That’s it. Seriously.
No complicated 12-step productivity cult. Just get your list sorted, drop everything into your calendar, and boom—you’ll know exactly what you’re doing each day.
No more waking up to a mile-long to-do list and not knowing where to start. You’ll see which days are busy, which ones have breathing room, and when you can actually take a guilt-free day off.
This method helps you move forward at a consistent, sustainable pace.
Honestly, we often make things more complicated than they need to be. But real productivity? It’s simple. Don’t overthink it.
Just solid, doable time management techniques that support both your work and your life. The simpler you start, the easier it is to stick with—and the better it all flows.
Hi 👋 I’m Jacqueline from The Glade Design. I specialise in residential interiors. Check out my services or email me to chat. New design tips and home inspo every week—subscribe for exclusive content!
