A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting an Online Home Decor Business

Starting an online home decorating business can be an exciting and rewarding venture for those passionate about decor. With the growing popularity of ecommerce and the increasing desire for personalized, stylish living spaces, the demand for unique and beautiful home decor items is on the rise.

This type of business allows entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity, curate inspiring collections, and help customers transform their homes with just a few clicks. However, like any business, it comes with its own set of challenges, from establishing a strong brand presence to managing logistics and inventory. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential steps and considerations for launching a successful online home decorating business.

What’s an online home decor business?

An online home decor business selects and recommends decorative items to help clients enhance their living spaces. Home decorators earn money through services and affiliate or commission sales. Commissions can be earned from both clients and social media followers. Some decorators might even develop their own products and sell them via their e-commerce retail store.

Regarding the scope of services, most home decorators select items like furniture, accessories, lighting, artwork, and rugs. They’re knowledgeable in current trends, color schemes, and styling tips. Home decorators are very different from interior designers, who offer space planning and layout design and often oversee renovation projects. Typically, paint selection also falls in the realm of interior design and is not something that home decorators offer.

Challenges for starting a home decor business

Because decorating is simpler than interior design, this type of business is much simpler to start. However, there will certainly be challenges along the way.

Competition in the market can be fierce, requiring a strong brand identity and unique services to stand out. Also, because decorating is easier to accomplish than more intensive interior design, many homeowners prefer to DIY everything, making it difficult to sign clients willing to pay for your services. However, with influencer and affiliate marketing, you can earn revenue from your social media following as well.

Steps to start a successful online home decor business

Follow these steps to launch your new business.

Step 1. Pick a niche or style

Before you start setting up your business, you should first pick a style or niche that will empower all of your other decisions.

Some examples of styles include:

Boho
Feminine
Masculine
Coastal
Traditional
Soulful
Vintage
Southwestern
French Country

By choosing a style or two, you can narrow down your branding easier in later steps. It’s okay to change your decor aesthetic over time, but it’s better to hone a unique perspective than attempt to satisfy everyone.

Step 2. Name your business

Once you’ve clarified your niche, it should be a bit easier to choose a business name. Unless you’re absolutely certain that you will stick with your niche in the long run, your business name should not match it exactly. For example, if you might move to another geographical region in the future, you should not opt for something like Tahoe Decor. Instead, choose a name that showcases your style while providing flexibility, such as Rustic Retreat Decor.

And of course, you can always do business under your own name.

Step 3. Create a website

The next step is to create a website. Use an easy online website builder like Wix or Squarespace. These platforms offer tons and templates and are generally easier to use than developer-focused platforms like Webflow and WordPress.

At this stage, you’ll need to choose a color palette for your website and create a logo. You can use a logo creator like Tailor Brands or hire a logo designer. Again, make sure that your logo and color palette align with your niche without being too narrow. You don’t want your website to compete with your portfolio, so opt for neutral colors where possible.

Step 4. Choose the right software

In today’s world, you can’t run a business without software. In fact, there are so many different tools available that it’s overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to choose an all-in-one platform designed for your type of business, so you can get all of the tools you need under one roof.

DesignFiles is an interior design platform that works great for online home decor businesses. It offers moodboards, 3D floor planning, client communication, project management, and invoicing tools in one place.

Step 5. Determine your pricing

To streamline operations and make costs predictable and transparent, most home decor businesses offer flat-rate packages. You might have different packages for different types of rooms like dining rooms and living rooms. Or you might charge a flat rate for one-room projects, two-room projects, and three-room projects.

To help you determine your rates, head over to Google and research what other home decorators in your niche or local area are charging. Then use DesignFiles to create packages that you can sell directly from your website.

Step 6. Announce your new business

Now that your digital storefront is all set up and you’re ready to start taking payments, it’s time to announce your business.

Here are some effective ways to spread the word:

Post on social media: Share the news on all your social media platforms. Include engaging visuals and a link to your website or online store.
Send an email to friends and family: Draft a personalized email announcing your new venture and send it to your friends, family, and professional contacts.
Call up friends: Make it personal by calling up friends and telling them about your new business. They’ll appreciate the direct communication and can help spread the word.
Network at events: Attend local networking events, industry meetups, and community gatherings to talk about your new business.
Utilize online forums and groups: Join online forums and social media groups related to your industry. Check out our webinar on getting clients from Facebook groups for more.
Offer a launch promotion: Create a special launch promotion or discount to attract initial customers and encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
Update your website and blog: If you have a website or blog, make sure to update it with a detailed post about your new business, including the services or products you offer and how customers can reach you.

Step 7. Set up a quarterly marketing plan

Initially, you might find your first customers within your personal network. These early sales can help build your brand’s credibility and generate further referrals.

However, it’s wise to have a quarterly marketing plan in place to ensure you’re not solely dependent on word-of-mouth. Effective marketing methods for an online home decor business include social media, search engine optimization, publicity, and email campaigns.

Start with one or two strategies, such as Instagram marketing and email marketing. Then, list all the tasks you need to complete and distribute them evenly over the quarter.

For more tips and tutorials to assist you in creating your plan, check out our guide on proven marketing methods for interior designers and decorators.

Step 8. Keep track of leads

It’s important to keep track of your leads in a CRM so that you save the contact information of potential clients right from the very beginning of your business.

After reaching out to you, some clients might not be ready to purchase your home decor services, but three, six, or even nine months down the road, the timing might be perfect.

To start, you can simply use a Kanban board like Trello or ClickUp to track your leads and manually follow up with people. As your business grows, you might want to implement an automated lead follow-up system with Dubsado or Honeybook.

Step 9. Master the art of sales

To be a great salesperson, you need to ask the right questions. Your job is to provide a consultative sales experience and refer them to the right service—even if your business isn’t a fit.

Your website also acts as 24/7 salesperson, so make sure you are regularly updating your website with more portfolio pieces, details about your services, testimonials, blog posts, etc. You want people to already have a good feel for the transformation you provide before reaching out to book a call with you.

How to market your newly created home decor business

Launching a home decor business is an exciting venture, but attracting clients requires strategic marketing efforts. To ensure your business gets the attention it deserves, you need to utilize a mix of traditional and modern marketing techniques. Here are some of the top methods to try:

Leverage social media: Utilize platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and LinkedIn to showcase your work, share design tips, and engage with your audience. High-quality images, behind-the-scenes content, and regular interaction can attract potential clients.
Network: Attend industry events, join design associations, and connect with other professionals such as general contractors, builders, real estate agents, and architects. Building a strong network can lead to valuable referrals and collaborations.
Get featured in digital and print publications: Pitch your work to magazines, blogs, and podcasts that cater to your target audience. Being featured can significantly enhance your visibility and credibility.
Create quality content: Create valuable content through blogs and email newsletters. Share design tips, project highlights, and industry insights to keep your audience engaged and position yourself as an expert. Regularly updating your blog and sending engaging newsletters can attract and retain clients.
Post in relevant Facebook groups: Join groups where your target clients are active, such as local community groups or real estate investment groups. Engage by answering design-related questions and sharing your expertise without directly pitching your services.

5 key trends in the home decor industry

Want to stay current? Check out some of the top trends in the home decor industry.

Sustainable decor

Emphasizing sustainability, this trend focuses on using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions to create a greener home environment.