Have you ever wondered what a normal day for an interior designer looks like? Well, the truth is that there really isn’t a typical day. Every day is different in this creative field, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

It may seem like a glamorous job from the outside, but trust us when we say that it is a lot of hard work that is not always so pretty. From meeting with builders and vendors, to visiting showrooms to pick up samples, to presenting detailed plans to clients, there is definitely a lot to juggle!

To give you an idea of what designers do, Paula Rodriguez, founder and principal designer of Paula Interiors is giving us a behind-the-scenes look at a day in her life.

Pre-9:00 AM | Morning Family Time

My mornings start with a routine many parents know well. I get my kids up, pack their lunches, and drive them to school.

9:00 AM | Planning the Day

Once I’m back in my home office, I grab a coffee and check the to-do list I left for myself the night before. Planning ahead is my way of setting priorities so that I already have my tasks organized. I highly recommend this strategy to anyone with a lot on their plate!

9:30 AM | Contractor Calls & Vendor Updates

I typically hop on the phone with contractors each morning to get updates on ongoing projects. This includes checking in on timelines and any site updates or issues. I love to hear that everything is going smoothly, but that’s not always the case. There is a lot of problem-solving involved in this job, so it helps to keep a cool head.

Then it’s on to vendor updates. I check in often on orders, lead times, sample requests, and more.

If it’s Friday, I gather everything into a project update email and send it out to my clients so they’re kept in the loop. They really appreciate the regular updates. They also know that they can contact me at any time with questions and ideas because collaboration is so important!

10:20 AM | Emails & Client Files

Next, I spend time responding to any emails that have come in overnight. My inbox can be a mission to get through. Around this point, I’ll also review my client folders for the day.

11:30 AM | Creative Work: Drawings & Selections

This is one of my favorite parts of the day. I spend time drawing layouts, planning room designs, and making selections for wallpaper, fabrics, furniture, and window treatments. Nothing feels more gratifying than finding the perfect pieces to bring a client’s dream space to life.

1:00 PM | Lunch Break

I take a quick lunch break before getting back to work.

1:30 PM | Head Out to Showrooms & Job Sites

Depending on the day, I’ll drive to the local merchandise mart to source materials and see new collections. Or, I’ll stop by job sites to check on progress and meet with clients. Some days I start my morning with these visits, depending on the project schedule.

3:20 PM | School Pickup & Homework Help

By mid-afternoon, it’s time to pick up the kids. I do my best to help my daughter with her homework. Even if my schedule’s tight, I try to carve out time to help her at least three times a week.

4:30 PM | Social Media & Emails

After family time, it’s back to my desk to work on social media posts, answer more emails, and catch up on anything that came in during the day. Our Instagram is a great way to get inspiration and updates on projects. Be sure to follow us here!

5:00 |Creative Work: Drawings & Selections

More creative work

6:30 PM | To-Do List & Evening Appointments

Before wrapping up work, I make a new to-do list for the next day so I can start fresh and focused. If I have late client meetings or job site visits, I’ll head back out for those in the evening.

So basically, it’s a LOT! I could probably use four more hours each day to get things done. However, it is also very rewarding. The beauty of this industry is that you get to balance creativity with business every single day. I love the challenges of designing and also the chance to make a real difference in the lives of my clients. There is truly nothing better than seeing their faces when they get to see their new home designs.