Let me tell you a story. Last year, I took on five interior design projects at once. Sounds ambitious, right? Well, it was. I was juggling client meetings, vendor calls, and design presentations while trying to keep my creative spark alive. One day, I missed a deadline, and the client was not happy. That’s when I realized—I needed a better system. Fast forward to today, and I’m managing twice as many projects without breaking a sweat. How? Let me walk you through the strategies that saved me (and can save you too).
1. The Myth: “You Have to Do It All Yourself”
The Reality: You don’t. In fact, trying to do everything yourself is a recipe for burnout. Here’s the truth: successful designers don’t work harder—they work smarter.
Actionable Steps:
- 1. Delegate Like a Pro: Identify tasks that don’t require your expertise (e.g., admin work, social media) and hand them off to a virtual assistant or junior designer.
- 2. Build a Reliable Team: Hire freelancers or employees you trust. For example, a project manager can handle client communication while you focus on design.
- 3. Use Tools to Automate: Platforms like Zapier can automate repetitive tasks, like sending follow-up emails or updating spreadsheets.
Real-Life Example: Kelly Wearstler relies on a team of designers, architects, and project managers to execute her high-profile projects. She focuses on the creative vision while her team handles the rest.
Bonus: Start small. Delegate one task this week and see how much time it frees up.
2. The Timeline: From Chaos to Calm
Phase 1: The Overwhelmed Beginner
- • What Happens: You take on too many projects, miss deadlines, and feel constantly stressed.
- • Solution: Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks. Focus on what’s urgent and important, and delegate or eliminate the rest.
Phase 2: The Organized Pro
- • What Happens: You create a system that works. Projects run smoothly, and clients are happy.
- • Solution: Use project management tools like Asana or Trello to track progress and deadlines.
Phase 3: The Thriving Expert
- • What Happens: You’re managing multiple projects effortlessly, with time to spare for creativity and self-care.
- • Solution: Streamline your workflow with templates and automation. For example, create a reusable client onboarding template to save time.
Pro Tip: Schedule a weekly “organization hour” to declutter your system and update your project dashboard.
3. The Comparison: Tools That Actually Work
Tool 1: Trello
- • Best For: Visual learners who love drag-and-drop simplicity.
- • Why It’s Great: You can create boards for each project and move tasks through stages (e.g., “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Done”).
Tool 2: Asana
- • Best For: Teams that need detailed task management.
- • Why It’s Great: You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in one place.
Tool 3: Notion
- • Best For: Designers who want an all-in-one workspace.
- • Why It’s Great: You can create project dashboards, store files, and even write blog posts in the same tool.
Real-Life Example: Studio McGee uses a combination of Trello and Notion to manage over 50 projects simultaneously without missing a beat.
Bonus: Try one tool for a month and see how it transforms your workflow.
4. The “What If?” Scenario
What If You Could Double Your Productivity Without Working More Hours?
Here’s How:
- 1. Time-Block Your Day: Dedicate specific blocks of time to specific tasks. For example, reserve mornings for creative work and afternoons for client meetings.
- 2. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together, like responding to emails or creating mood boards.
- 3. Set Boundaries: Define your working hours and stick to them. Let clients know when you’re available and when you’re offline.
Real-Life Example: Nate Berkus swears by time-blocking to balance his design projects, TV appearances, and personal life.
Pro Tip: Use “Google Calendar” or “Tick tick” (I use this) to visualize your schedule and stay on track.
5. The Resource Roundup: Tools to Save Your Sanity
- • ClickUp: For project management and task tracking.
- • Loom: For sending video updates to clients (it’s faster and more personal than emails).
- • Canva: For creating stunning presentations and mood boards.
- • Level Super Mind (by Ranveer Allahbadia): For mindfulness and stress management (because you can’t pour from an empty cup).
- • Upwork: For finding skilled freelancers to delegate tasks.
Bonus: Pick one tool to try this week and see how it simplifies your life.
6. The Open Letter: To My Overwhelmed Self
Dear Me,
I know you’re feeling stretched thin right now. The deadlines are piling up, the clients are demanding, and your creativity feels like it’s on life support. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to do it all. Delegate. Automate. Take breaks. And remember, your worth isn’t measured by how many projects you can juggle. It’s measured by the joy you bring to your work and the lives you touch through your designs.
Love,
Your Future Self
Final Thoughts
Managing multiple interior design projects doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By delegating, streamlining, and prioritizing self-care, you can handle any workload with confidence and creativity. Remember, it’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing what matters most.
See you,
By Siya