45+ Profitable Business Ideas For Interior Designers (Real Examples!)

Updated: September 6th, 2024

Interested in starting a business as an interior designers in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as an interior designers could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Interior Designers?

We put together 30 of some of the best interior designers business ideas you can start in today.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other interior designers businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a home decor business ($43.4K/month)

As an interior designer, starting a home decor business could be an excellent way to supplement your income and fully leverage your design skills. With your expertise in aesthetics and spatial arrangement, you could easily transform your creative talents into a profitable side hustle. Home decor projects can be a natural extension of your existing work, allowing you to seamlessly incorporate your vision and design philosophy.

Your first step might be to curate a compelling portfolio showcasing your prowess in home decor. You could start by redecorating your own home or offering to do a friend's space, capturing high-quality photos to highlight your work. This portfolio serves as a powerful tool to persuade potential clients of your abilities and style.

Once your portfolio is ready, marketing your new home decor business is crucial. Utilize these photos across social media and other platforms to attract clients and secure projects. This side business not only provides extra income but also builds your brand, paving the way for expanded opportunities in both interior design and home décor.

How much you can make: $400 — $415,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $8K/Month Home Organizing Service

Less is More Organizing Services, founded by Sarah Giller Nelson, is a home organizing service that operates in two states, serving an average of 95 households per year with an 85% repeat customer rate, offering services by the hour with a 4-hour minimum, and using a guided decluttering process to help customers achieve their goals.

Read by 16,559 founders

2. Start a board game business ($47.7K/month)

As an interior designer with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics, you could channel your creativity into designing and creating your own board games. Developing a visually stunning and engaging board game could not only supplement your income but also allow you to tap into a different market segment that appreciates both form and function. The skills you already possess in creating harmonious and appealing spaces could translate well into designing intricate game boards and pieces that stand out in the market.

Starting a board game business could be both fun and rewarding, providing a perfect balance to your core design business. With some basic programming knowledge or a few hours of dedicated practice, you could create a board game from scratch right from the comfort of your own home. Given that board games are easy to manufacture and have a broad appeal, this venture could become a highly profitable side business or even evolve into a full-fledged enterprise.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 61 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Built A Successful Business Out Of My Passion For Board Games

Facade Games has raised over $1 million on Kickstarter and sold about 80,000 copies of their board games around the world, with the goal to publish one new game a year on Kickstarter and build on their line of games in books as well as a new party game line in the near future.

Read by 10,536 founders

3. Start an interior design consulting business ($33.6K/month)

Starting an interior design consulting business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income or even transition into full-time entrepreneurship. You would have the opportunity to assist clients in creating beautiful and functional living or commercial spaces, leveraging your existing design skills and experiences. With your solid understanding of design principles and a strong portfolio of past projects, you could quickly establish your reputation and attract clients who value your unique aesthetic.

Additionally, offering services such as space planning, furniture selection, color consultation, and accessorizing would allow you to cater to various client needs. You could also collaborate with contractors and other professionals to ensure your designs are seamlessly implemented. This venture would not only allow you to pursue your passion but also give you the flexibility to grow your business and continuously hone your expertise in the ever-evolving world of interior design.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $110,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We (Mother And Daughter) Started A $1M/Year Boutique Design Firm

Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.

Read by 8,885 founders

4. Start a furniture business ($207K/month)

As an interior designer looking to supplement your income or start a side business, venturing into the furniture industry could be a natural extension of your existing skills. You could design and sell bespoke furniture pieces that align with your aesthetic sensibilities, thereby offering customers exclusive, tailor-made options that mass-market retailers can't provide. This personalized approach could appeal to both residential and commercial clients who are seeking unique and high-quality furnishings.

Considering that the furniture business does not require high initial investments, you could start small by identifying a specific niche—be it office furniture, home furnishings, or luxury items—and gradually expand as you gain more experience and market knowledge. With the rising trends in flexible workspaces and the booming real estate industry, there's a growing demand for innovative and stylish furniture solutions. This creates an excellent opportunity for you to leverage your interior design expertise and offer complementary services to your existing clients, thereby enhancing your overall value proposition.

Investing time in business classes and understanding your local market will be crucial for your success. Creating a solid business plan that highlights your unique designs and their practical applications will attract consumers willing to pay a premium for one-of-a-kind products, especially when quality and exclusivity are assured.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $999,999/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

Read by 59,647 founders

5. Start a bedding company ($741K/month)

As an interior designer, you could leverage your expertise in aesthetics and comfort to start a bedding company, offering carefully curated sheets, pillows, and mattresses. Your eye for design and understanding of textures and fabrics will allow you to create collections that not only look beautiful but also provide a luxurious and comfortable sleeping experience.

By choosing a niche, such as luxury sheets or affordable yet high-quality linens, you could differentiate your brand from competitors. The attention to detail you've honed in interior design projects will translate wonderfully into selecting the perfect materials and design for your bedding products.

Once you've settled on a niche and sourced a reliable manufacturer, promoting your bedding line through a well-designed website and active social media presence could be highly effective. Your skills in visual presentation and knowledge of current trends will give you a competitive edge in creating appealing marketing materials that attract a loyal customer base.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $3,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

Starting A Bed Sheet Business Making $600K In First 8 Months

Sheets & Giggles, an eco-friendly bedding brand, earned nearly $500,000 and 6,000 orders in the first 6 months of business through Indiegogo, and utilizes pun-based marketing and a DTC model to tap into a fragmented, low brand loyalty market.

Read by 62,964 founders

6. Start a candle business ($188K/month)

Starting a candle business could be a valuable and synergistic extension of your work as an interior designer. As someone attuned to aesthetics and ambiance, you could create bespoke, high-quality handcrafted candles that align perfectly with your designs and match your clients' tastes. This personal touch can differentiate your interior design services and offer clients a unique and cohesive experience.

Diving into the candle business from the comfort of your home allows you to leverage your design skills and eye for detail, making each candle an artistic statement. You could also use this venture to further supplement your income, selling these candles as part of your interior design packages or offering them separately through online platforms and local markets. In today's fast-growing candle industry, your expertise in creating beautiful spaces could give you a significant advantage in producing candles that are not only visually appealing but also high in quality.

How much you can make: $500 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $20K/Month Southern Inspired Candle Business

Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.

Read by 72,272 founders

7. Start a luggage storage business ($48K/month)

As an interior designer, you could leverage your keen eye for space optimization to start a luggage storage business. By transforming underutilized spaces into secure storage areas, you would provide travelers with convenient solutions for their luggage woes.

This venture could also synergize with your existing network of clients and connections in the hospitality industry. Partnering with local cafes, hotels, and other businesses could minimize overhead costs and provide a steady stream of customers. With low start-up costs and a growing demand for flexible travel solutions, a luggage storage business presents a lucrative side business opportunity for any entrepreneurial-minded interior designer.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $9,999 (?)

How I Turned A $5 Google Ad Into A Million Dollar Startup

Bounce CEO Cody Candee shares his experience co-founding a successful short-term storage marketplace which generated over $100k in annualized revenue within the first seven months of operation, expanding to new cities and offering more options such as delivery.

Read by 15,617 founders

8. Start an eBikes business ($540K/month)

As an interior designer, you could leverage your understanding of design aesthetics and consumer preferences to create a niche eBikes business. Given that annual eBike sales have crossed more than 880,000 units, you can tap into this rapidly growing market and appeal to millennials who favor eBikes for their health benefits and route flexibility.

You could design stylish, ergonomic eBike stores or showrooms that reflect your expertise in spatial planning and eye for detail. By incorporating elements such as eco-friendly materials and contemporary design, you can create a unique shopping experience that sets your business apart from competitors. This new venture not only supplements your income but also allows you to explore a new entrepreneurial avenue in a booming market.

How much you can make: $110,000 — $1,200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

How I Partnered With Mark Cuban To Start A $250K/Month Company Selling eBikes

Tower Electric Bikes is a direct-to-consumer eBike brand co-founded by Stephan Aarstol and Mark Cuban, which has done over $36 million in sales since its $150,000 investment in 2012, and produced and sold everything from paddleboards to electric bikes for half the retail price, with the aim of creating the world's first famous eBike brand.

Read by 28,254 founders

9. Start a niche fashion business ($32.7K/month)

As an interior designer with a keen eye for aesthetics and trends, starting a niche fashion business could be a natural extension to your creative expertise. Given your understanding of colors, textures, and design principles, you could focus on unique fashion items that cater to specific demographic needs, creating pieces that stand out in a crowded market. This could involve anything from bespoke clothing and accessories to specialized homewear that complements your existing interior projects.

With the fashion industry expected to reach $1.002 trillion dollars by 2025, there is a significant opportunity to tap into this lucrative market. More and more consumers are seeking well-crafted, niche products that reflect current trends and their unique tastes. By leveraging your design skills and industry knowledge, you could create a side business or even transition into a full-time fashion enterprise tailored to the discerning clients you already understand so well.

How much you can make: $150 — $134,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

How This Couple Started A $130K/Month Women’s Effortless, Refined, Quality Clothing Brand

This case study showcases the journey of Tradlands, a women's clothing brand generating $134k in monthly revenue, which was started with just $15k, and grew through email marketing, Instagram, and influencer collaborations.

Read by 10,136 founders

10. Start a jewelry making business ($248K/month)

Starting a jewelry making business could be a fantastic way for you, as an interior designer, to supplement your income while leveraging your existing design skills. Your keen eye for aesthetics and deep understanding of materials could easily translate into creating stunning pieces of jewelry that resonate with style-conscious consumers.

The global jewelry market is massive, valued at $278 billion in 2018 and expected to grow, indicating ample opportunities for new entrants. Given that the industry has remained largely unchanged despite technological advances, your unique design perspective could offer a fresh take on jewelry making, setting you apart from traditional jewelry designers.

Additionally, your established client base might be interested in personalized, custom-made jewelry that complements their home interiors, thus creating a new revenue stream that ties seamlessly with your current business. So, if you have the skills and passion, diving into the jewelry industry could be both a creative and profitable venture.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

How A Teacher Started A Successful Handmade Jewelry Business Online

A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.

Read by 44,051 founders

11. Start a digital agency ($186K/month)

As an interior designer, you could leverage your creativity and understanding of space to start a digital agency that specializes in advertising, marketing, or technology solutions for design-related businesses. Your keen eye for aesthetics and experience in the industry will give you a competitive edge in creating visually appealing marketing materials and campaigns for clients in the design sector.

Given the global digital agency market's value of nearly $305 billion in 2020, there is immense potential for growth in this field. By offering specialized services such as social media management, content creation, and digital advertising tailored for the design community, you could not only supplement your income but also build a thriving side business or even transition into a full-fledged digital agency entrepreneur.

How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Started A $100K/Month Company That Provides Transcription Services

How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.

Read by 13,465 founders

12. Start a marketing agency ($245K/month)

As an interior designer, starting a marketing agency could be a natural extension of your creative and aesthetic skills. You could leverage your understanding of visual appeal, spatial arrangement, and client tastes to craft compelling marketing campaigns for businesses in industries like home décor, real estate, and architecture. With the insight you gain from your primary profession, your agency would be uniquely positioned to offer specialized services that resonate deeply with your target market.

Moreover, you could transform this side venture into a lucrative business by focusing on digital marketing strategies, such as social media advertising, content creation, and influencer partnerships which are particularly effective in visually-driven fields like interior design. By helping your clients achieve success without the need to hire in-house marketing staff or invest in extensive equipment, your agency could stand out as a cost-efficient and expert solution for many businesses. Taking the principles that other agencies have used to scale effectively, your marketing agency could soon become a thriving enterprise.

How much you can make: $1,300 — $8,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,195 founders

13. Start a software test drive

As an interior designer, starting a software test drive could be an innovative way to supplement your income and potentially develop a side business. By offering clients access to advanced interior design software tools, you could allow them to experiment with different layouts, colors, and furniture arrangements in a virtual space before making any real-world changes. This service could be particularly attractive to homeowners or small businesses looking to visualize their redesigns without committing to expensive consulting fees.

Additionally, you could collaborate with software companies to provide exclusive test drives and then charge a fee for this specialized service. Your expertise as an interior designer would add significant value, as you could offer tailored advice and recommendations based on the client's virtual renderings. This entrepreneurial venture would not only provide an additional revenue stream but also enhance your reputation as a tech-savvy, forward-thinking designer in the highly competitive interior design industry.

14. Start a conference ($123K/month)

Starting a conference could be an exciting and lucrative side venture as an interior designer. By organizing a conference tailored to your industry, you could create a platform for fellow designers, suppliers, and clients to gather, share insights, and foster connections. This could not only generate extra income but also expand your professional network and position you as a thought leader in the interior design community.

Event planning skills, such as securing venues and coordinating speakers, could become valuable assets in making your conference memorable and impactful. Additionally, the potential for scalability allows you to start with small, intimate seminars and evolve into large-scale conventions, catering to the growing demand for industry-specific gatherings. This endeavor could open up new revenue streams and enhance your brand’s visibility.

How much you can make: $83,333 — $162,620/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How I Created An Annual Conference That Generates $1.6M/Year

Discover how Philip Taylor built FinCon from scratch to a 3,000 attendee annual conference and achieved $1.6M in revenue in less than 10 years, by allowing customers to help build the event, fostering a sense of community, expanding offerings, pricing strategically, and surrounding himself with talented people.

Read by 5,779 founders

15. Start a dance tutorial blog

As an interior designer, you could creatively combine your passion for design and dance by starting a dance tutorial blog. Drawing parallels between the movement in dance and fluidity in design, you could offer unique insights that engage your audience and broaden your professional scope.

Through this blog, you could post instructional content in various dance styles, such as ballet, hip-hop, and salsa, utilizing written guides, photos, and video tutorials. This not only allows you to share your love for dance but also diversifies your income streams through ads, sponsored posts, or premium content subscriptions.

Integrating social media would help you reach a wider audience and keep followers engaged. This entrepreneurial venture is a cost-effective startup idea that leverages your creative skills, helping you build a community and potentially even driving more traffic to your interior design business.

How much you can make: $8,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)

How We Started A Niche Business For Ballroom Dancers And Pivoted When Our Industry Shut Down

Learn how Dance Dress Couture launched The Ballroom Box, a quarterly subscription box targeted to the ballroom competitive industry, and grew it to double the number of subscribers with each box released, while also providing tips on attracting and retaining customers.

Read by 7,187 founders

16. Start a beauty and fashion marketplace ($149K/month)

As an interior designer, starting a beauty and fashion marketplace could be a seamless extension of your creative expertise. Your keen eye for aesthetics and trends would allow you to curate a visually appealing assortment of makeup, skincare, haircare, clothing, and accessories, appealing to a diverse customer base. By leveraging your understanding of design, you could create an engaging online platform or a stylish physical location that attracts fashion-savvy clients.

Additionally, your established client relationships can serve as an excellent starting point for marketing your new venture. By offering unique or hard-to-find products, you can differentiate your marketplace from competitors and capitalize on your ability to spot emerging trends. Combining your design skills with a solid marketing strategy, including social media and influencer partnerships, would help ensure the success and growth of your beauty and fashion marketplace.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $658,333/month

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

How This Couple Started A $130K/Month Women’s Effortless, Refined, Quality Clothing Brand

This case study showcases the journey of Tradlands, a women's clothing brand generating $134k in monthly revenue, which was started with just $15k, and grew through email marketing, Instagram, and influencer collaborations.

Read by 10,136 founders

17. Start a political blog

Starting a political blog could be an interesting side business for an interior designer, allowing you to express your insights on governance and societal issues while supplementing your income. Given your experience in aesthetics and design, you could create a visually appealing blog that attracts readers not only for its content but also for its professional presentation. This could be particularly effective if you choose a niche that resonates both with your interests and your audience, such as urban development, housing policies, or architecture's role in politics.

In addition to offering political commentary, you could tap into monetization strategies such as ad revenues, sponsored posts, and subscriber-based models. By consistently creating well-researched, engaging content, your blog could become a go-to resource for readers seeking informed perspectives. This venture requires a commitment to staying updated on current events and the ability to translate complex topics, but for the entrepreneurially minded, it could be a fulfilling and profitable endeavor.

How much you can make: $33/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

I Built An App To Help Fight Misinformation

This case study follows the journey of Timi Olotu, founder of òtító, as he tackles the issue of misinformation with his library of factual claims, which has been used by people from 100+ countries and averages 1250 page views per month since launching in September 2020, while financing the company through contributions from his monthly salary and user donations.

Read by 3,984 founders

18. Start an aviation training school business

As an interior designer, you could leverage your expertise in space planning, aesthetics, and functionality to create a welcoming and efficient learning environment for an aviation training school. Your skills in designing tailored, engaging interiors could help set your school apart, attracting more students and providing them with a better learning experience.

Starting an aviation training school could also open opportunities to collaborate with aviation professionals to design and optimize cockpit simulators, briefing rooms, and even flight lounges. This venture not only allows you to diversify your income sources but also to apply your design skills in a completely new and exciting field, potentially leading to higher job satisfaction and growth.

19. Start a screenwriting business

As an interior designer, you could leverage your keen sense of aesthetics and storytelling to venture into screenwriting. Your ability to create visually engaging spaces and atmospheres directly translates to crafting vivid scenes and settings that captivate audiences on screen. This skill can give you a unique edge in writing movie scripts or television episodes where the visual experience is paramount.

Starting a screenwriting business would also allow you to explore different facets of interior design through the narratives you create, blending your artistic vision with compelling dialogues and intricate plotlines. While it demands an understanding of story structure and character development, your background in design can provide fresh and innovative perspectives, setting you apart in the industry.

Facing the challenges of long hours and potential rejections, you would have the rewarding opportunity to see your stories come to life, bridging your talents in both design and writing. By networking with industry professionals like directors and producers, and continuously refining your scripts, you could build a portfolio that opens doors to exciting and unique opportunities in the entertainment world.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Started A $30K/Month Ecommerce Video Marketing Business

Silksocial produces rockstar video ads for eCommerce brands, with a turnover of around $30K/month and a focus on differentiation through a deep understanding of e-commerce video ad production techniques that optimize investment returns.

Read by 7,161 founders

20. Start a pet care business ($92.7K/month)

As an interior designer, you could leverage your creative and organizational skills to start a pet care business. With pet ownership on the rise, offering day and night care services could be a lucrative side business that caters to the needs of pet owners looking for safe and reliable care.

Your design expertise could help create a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment for pets, setting your facility apart from others. By providing overnight care, you could also cater to clients who travel frequently, offering them peace of mind knowing their pets are safe and well-cared for. This venture could not only supplement your income but also allow you to explore new business opportunities within a growing market.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How These Two Friends Started A $250K/Month Professional Pet Care Business

Woofie's founders share how they launched a pet care business from a $10 dog walk into a company that brought in over $3M in revenue in 2019, offering services such as mobile pet grooming, pet sitting and dog walking, and have expanded their business into franchises.

Read by 8,121 founders

21. Start a lettering service business

As an interior designer, you could supplement your income by starting a lettering service business. Leveraging your keen eye for aesthetics and design principles, you could offer custom hand-lettered items like wedding invitations, home signs, and business logos. This aligns perfectly with your existing design skills and offers additional value to your clients.

In the digital age, the personal touch of hand-lettering stands out, making your service unique and desirable. Marketing your work through social media platforms like Instagram can help you showcase your portfolio and attract potential customers. With minimal initial investment and a dedication to refining your craft, this venture allows you to turn your artistic talent into a profitable side business while continuing to grow as a designer.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

We Make $15K/Month Helping People Apply To Jobs With AI

AiApply case study showcases the journey from $0 to $25K in monthly revenue, highlighting the power of AI-driven solutions to revolutionize the job application process through personalized tools, viral content, and sustainable growth strategies for SaaS founders.

Read by 3,379 founders

22. Start a body lotions business

As an interior designer, you could tap into your understanding of aesthetic appeal and consumer trends to create a line of luxurious body lotions. Leveraging your skills in design, you could develop unique packaging that stands out in the market, enhancing the overall brand experience and attracting a discerning clientele.

Adding a body lotions business to your portfolio could diversify your income and present new entrepreneurial opportunities. By promoting your products to your existing interior design clients and through your established network, you could build a loyal customer base who appreciate your eye for detail and taste for high-quality products. This not only supplements your income but also broadens your brand footprint in the lifestyle and wellness sectors.

23. Start a skincare magazine business

As an interior designer, your keen eye for aesthetics and attention to detail could seamlessly translate into a successful skincare magazine business. You could leverage your existing design skills to create visually captivating layouts and features, ensuring that each issue is not only informative but also a delight to look at. This could not only supplement your income but also allow you to express your creativity in a new domain.

Additionally, your experience with color schemes, textures, and spatial arrangements would provide you a unique edge when curating content and recommending skincare products that align with those elements. By merging your design expertise with the growing demand for skincare knowledge, you could create a niche publication that appeals to beauty enthusiasts and design aficionados alike.

24. Start a how-to-guide creation business ($2.52K/month)

Starting a how-to-guide creation business makes perfect sense for an interior designer looking to supplement their income. By leveraging your expertise, you could create step-by-step guides on various design topics, such as how to choose the right color palette, organize small spaces, or incorporate sustainable materials. These guides could serve as valuable resources for DIY enthusiasts, new homeowners, or even fellow designers seeking to refine their skills.

As an experienced professional, you could identify niche areas within interior design that are in high demand but underserved in existing content. By researching the most pressing issues your target audience faces, you could produce highly relevant and easy-to-follow videos that offer practical solutions. This not only builds your credibility but also creates new revenue streams as your guides gain popularity and subscribers.

How much you can make: $2,246 — $2,800/month

How much does it cost to start: $307 (?)

How long does it take to build: 37 days (?)

I Make $30K/Year Writing How-To Guides [From India]

This case study is an inspiring story about how a founder started a blog on Microsoft Windows technology and, after a decade of hard work, dedication, and patience, managed to make it a sustainable business earning $30,000 per year, outlining the process of designing, prototyping, and launching the website and the lessons learned along the way.

Read by 4,494 founders

25. Start an esthetician business

As an interior designer, you could supplement your income or start an entirely new business by becoming an esthetician. Your eye for aesthetics and detail would naturally extend into the world of beauty and skincare. Transforming not just spaces, but also lives, you could help people feel confident and beautiful through specialized skincare treatments, such as facials and body treatments.

Entering this business requires obtaining a license by completing a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program and passing an exam. Your skill in creating harmonious and visually pleasing environments could translate into providing a serene and attractive setting for your esthetician practice. Combining your design talents with a passion for skincare might become a rewarding and profitable venture, all while maximizing your entrepreneurial spirit.

How long does it take to build: 1 days (?)

26. Start a newsletter ($221K/month)

Starting a newsletter could be an excellent way for you as an interior designer to supplement your income, make extra money, or potentially build a new business venture. With a more than 50% increase in newsletter readership over the past five years, there's a growing audience eager for specialized, high-quality content. By launching a well-crafted newsletter, you could market yourself as a trusted expert in interior design, sharing valuable insights, tips, and trends with your subscribers.

As your newsletter establishes its reputation, you could use it to educate your readers, build stronger connections, and even generate additional revenue streams. Imagine including affiliate links to stylish furnishings, promoting exclusive content or workshops, or offering personalized design consultations. This direct communication channel could also help you inform, persuade, and ultimately sell your services and expertise to a broader audience, maximizing your potential for business growth.

How much you can make: $160 — $4,100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How I Started A $36M/Year Stock Market Research Newsletter

Financial media company MarketBeat, founded by Matt Paulson, provides objective financial information and real-time market data to empower individual stock investors to make better trading decisions, generating approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and ending the year with over 1.3 million unique email subscribers due to a freemium model with 75% of revenue from advertising and 25% from subscriptions.

Read by 28,618 founders

27. Start a workbook selling business

As an interior designer, you could leverage your expertise to create and sell specialized workbooks tailored for DIY enthusiasts and aspiring designers. These workbooks might include step-by-step guides on topics such as room layout planning, color mixing, furniture arrangement, and sourcing materials. By providing valuable insights in an easy-to-digest format, you can help your audience achieve professional-quality results in their own spaces.

Selling workbooks can serve as a supplemental income stream or even develop into a thriving side business. With digital platforms, you could easily distribute your workbooks online, reaching a broad audience without significant overhead costs. This venture allows you to share your knowledge while establishing yourself as an authority in the field, potentially leading to further business opportunities or client engagements.

28. Start a community garden business

As an interior designer, you could leverage your design skills and eye for aesthetics to create an inviting and functional community garden business. By thoughtfully planning and laying out the garden plots, you can ensure a harmonious and visually appealing space that attracts individuals who desire to grow their own food or cultivate flowers in an urban environment.

Creating a community garden also allows you to expand your business network and engage with local communities, potentially leading to future interior design clients. Furthermore, offering additional services such as garden planning workshops or design consultations for home garden spaces could supplement your income and align closely with your design expertise, making this side venture both profitable and fulfilling.

29. Start a tv show program

As an interior designer, launching a TV show can present a lucrative opportunity to supplement your income or establish a whole new business stream. By creating a show that showcases your design expertise, you could tap into the growing demand for home improvement content on networks and streaming platforms. This endeavor could highlight your unique design style, feature client projects, and give viewers insightful tips, all of which can increase your visibility and credibility in the industry.

To make this business idea a reality, you would need to assemble a team of creative professionals like writers and directors to help bring your vision to life. Additionally, a solid understanding of industry trends and popular genres is crucial for creating compelling content that appeals to a wide audience. Building relationships with networks or streaming services and pitching your ideas effectively are key components for getting your show produced and distributed.

30. Start an eteaching business

Starting an eteaching business could be a lucrative way for you, as an interior designer, to share your expertise with a broader audience while supplementing your income. You could offer online courses or workshops on various topics such as space planning, color theory, or home staging. By leveraging your professional experience and unique design perspective, you could provide valuable insights that attract aspiring designers and homeowners looking to improve their interior spaces.

Additionally, creating a library of e-learning materials like video tutorials, downloadable guides, and interactive webinars could establish you as an authority in the interior design community. This venture not only diversifies your income but also enhances your professional network and visibility. Whether as a side business or a full-time endeavor, eteaching opens up endless possibilities for expanding your impact and reaching clients worldwide.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.