Interior designers wear many hats: creative visionary, project manager, product curator, and client confidant.
And as the design industry becomes increasingly digital and consumer-driven, new avenues for income are emerging beyond traditional client work.
Affiliate marketing is one of these opportunities. If you’re already guiding clients toward specific products or simply looking to diversify your revenue, this guide will show you how affiliate programs can seamlessly integrate into your interior design business and amplify your earning potential.
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Why are affiliate programs helpful for interior designers?
In short, affiliate programs allow interior designers to monetize their recommendations. Whether you’re curating mood boards, writing blog posts, or posting on Instagram, every product link you share is an opportunity to earn a commission.
Here’s why affiliate programs are particularly beneficial for interior designers:
- Build a passive revenue stream: After setting up content with affiliate links (like blogs or social media posts), you can continue earning commissions without continuous effort.
- Monetize product knowledge: You’re already doing the research—why not get rewarded for the brands and pieces you recommend?
- Build authority and trust: When you recommend high-quality products that reflect your aesthetic and values, your audience begins to see you as a trusted source.
- Scale with content marketing: Design blogs, YouTube reviews, and product lists can generate long-term affiliate income.
Top 20 interior design affiliate programs for designers
Keep reading for our top picks.
1. SideDoor
- Commission: 5–30% (varies by vendor and markup)
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Why it’s great: Provides access to exclusive trade-only furniture, lighting, and décor lines without the need for a resale license. Designers can create curated product collections and share shoppable links, while SideDoor handles payments, shipping, and customer support. The SideDoor DesignFiles integration is a game-changer: it lets you embed affiliate links directly into your mood boards and product lists. When clients shop from your curated designs, you earn commission without lifting a finger. It’s seamless, scalable, and perfect for monetizing design assets you already use.
2. LTK Creator
- Commission: 10-25%
- Cookie duration: 7-30 days
- Why it’s great: Ideal for visually-driven designers looking to monetize social media content, mood boards, and styled spaces through curated, shoppable posts.
3. Wayfair Professional
- Commission: 5-7%
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Why it’s great: Offers furniture, lighting, décor—everything you’re already specifying. It’s a household name with options to suit every client’s budget.
4. Amazon Associates
- Commission: Varies by category (typically 1-3% for home and decor)
- Cookie duration: 24 hours
- Why it’s great: Amazon is ideal for filling in design gaps or sourcing budget-conscious pieces. Its convenience helps drive higher conversion rates, especially when clients want immediate solutions.
5. One Kings Lane
- Commission: Up to 12%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: Ideal for sourcing distinctive, stylish pieces that stand out in both traditional and eclectic spaces. Upscale pricing translates to strong commission potential.
6. Williams-Sonoma
- Commission: 3%
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Why it’s great: Affiliates can earn commissions on high-ticket items, from cookware to custom furnishings, making it a great fit for designers working in elevated residential spaces. The brand’s strong recognition and loyal customer base help drive conversions and add credibility to your recommendations.
7. Etsy
- Commission: 4%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: With its massive marketplace of handmade, vintage, and custom pieces, Etsy makes it easy to earn commissions on truly unique finds. Designers can support independent creators while monetizing recommendations.
8. Design Within Reach (DWR)
- Commission: 5%
- Cookie duration: Not specified
- Why it’s great: Ideal for sourcing statement pieces that blend function and form. With its upscale clientele and curated selection, DWR helps turn premium design recommendations into meaningful affiliate revenue.
9. Burke Decor
- Commission: Up to 8%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: Thanks to higher price points and a distinctive product assortment, affiliates can earn substantial commissions on stylish, upscale purchases. It’s a strong choice for designers who want to align their brand with sophisticated aesthetics while generating affiliate income from premium recommendations.
10. Rug Source
- Commission: 10%
Cookie duration: 180 days - Why it’s great: Ideal for designers who want access to a wide variety of residential or commercial rugs. High-quality imagery, detailed product specs, and fair pricing integrate smoothly into client presentations and affiliate content.
11. 1-800 Lighting
- Commission: Up to 6%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: With high average order values and a trusted reputation in the industry, affiliates can earn solid commissions by recommending products that bring both style and impact to a space.
12. Designer Living
- Commission: Up to 12%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: A versatile source for budget-friendly pieces that still align with design trends. Ideal for designers working on projects that prioritize value and speed.
13. The Home Depot
- Commission: 8% on home decor, 1% on appliances and building supplies
- Cookie duration: 1–30 days (varies by product category)
- Why it’s great: The Home Depot boasts convenience, competitive pricing, and nationwide availability. Its extensive product range encourages high-value purchases, making even modest affiliate commissions worth your time.
14. Build with Ferguson
- Commission: Up to 6% for professionals, up to 2% for influencers
Cookie duration: Up to 15 days
Why it’s great: With a high average order value and a focus on premium products, Build with Ferguson presents strong earning potential for affiliates. The trusted brand and wide product range make conversions easier.
15. IKEA
- Commission: Up to 5%
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Why it’s great: IKEA’s brand recognition and accessible pricing make it easy to drive conversions, even in high-volume, lower-ticket categories. For affiliates, this means steady earning potential across a wide customer base—from first-time homeowners to renters.
16. Ruggable
- Commission: 3%
- Cookie duration: 21 days
- Why it’s great: Affiliates benefit from strong conversion potential due to the brand’s innovative products and loyal following. Designers can confidently recommend high-quality, functional rugs while earning commissions on purchases that enhance both aesthetics and everyday living.
17. Pier 1
- Commission: 4%
- Cookie duration: 7-14 days
- Why it’s great: Pier1’s variety allows affiliates to tap into diverse design aesthetics and recommend budget-friendly yet impactful pieces. The program is well-suited for designers who want to expand their income through trusted product referrals that resonate with a broad client base.
18. 2Modern
- Commission: 7%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: Designers can earn commissions on premium pieces while aligning with a brand that appeals to clients seeking modern, design-forward interiors. The elevated product range and established reputation help drive trust and affiliate performance.
19. Lumens
- Commission: 3-12%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Why it’s great: With a reputation for quality and a wide product range, designers can confidently recommend Lumens to clients looking to elevate their spaces, turning their expertise into a consistent revenue stream.
20. World Market
- Commission: 3.5%
- Cookie duration: 14 days
- Why it’s great: Affiliates benefit from a broad product selection that appeals to a wide audience, making it easier to monetize recommendations on eclectic, budget-friendly pieces. This program is ideal for designers seeking to add distinctive, worldly touches to projects while generating steady commission income.
Alternatives to affiliate programs that earn more revenue
Affiliate marketing is a solid income stream, but it won’t replace your design earnings on day one. If you’re looking for ways to expand your income beyond design work and affiliate marketing, look into these sustainable options.
1. Product licensing and collaborations
If you’ve built a recognizable personal brand or design aesthetic, partnering with a manufacturer to create your own product line can lead to significant earnings.
- Example: A rug collection with a textile brand or a lighting line with a boutique manufacturer.
- Why it works: You earn a percentage of every sale, often with far better margins than affiliate programs.
2. Selling digital products
Create ebooks, templates, design guides, or online courses and sell them on your website to build scalable revenue.
- Example: A “Design Your Living Room in 5 Steps” guide for DIYers.
- Why it works: Digital products don’t cost much to produce, they’re infinitely scalable, and they’re not tied to a third-party platform.
Platforms like DesignFiles simplify the creation and sale of digital assets. With its moodboard editor, product library, and built-in sharing tools, you can easily package and distribute style guides, room templates, or shoppable boards, turning your design skills into a steady income stream.
3. Private labeling and e-commerce
Some designers launch their own branded online shops, offering curated, drop-shipped, or white-labeled decor and furniture.
- Example: A Shopify store selling designer-curated home goods.
- Why it works: You control the margins and customer experience while reinforcing your brand.
4. Wholesaling and product markups
Many designers receive wholesale pricing from vendors. Instead of passing the full discount to clients, you can mark up products to build in a margin. Learn more in our Interior Design Wholesale guide.
- Example: You purchase a $100 chair for $70 (30% off) and charge your client $90.
Why it works: Markup structures are common in the interior design industry and can increase project profitability.
5. Paid membership communities or consulting
If you have deep industry expertise, offer consulting calls or access to a private membership.
- Example: Monthly Q&As, access to exclusive content, or portfolio reviews.
- Why it works: Builds a loyal community and establishes you as a thought leader.
Interior design affiliate programs can be powerful, but they should complement, not replace, your core services and offerings. By choosing the right affiliate partners and pairing them with more lucrative alternatives like consulting or e-commerce, you can diversify your income while reinforcing your brand.
When integrated thoughtfully, affiliate marketing not only enhances your revenue streams but also adds value to your client experience. The key is authenticity: by promoting products you genuinely stand behind, you can ensure long-term credibility, client trust, and sustainable business growth.
Are you ready to dive deeper into interior design affiliate programs? Check out The Interior Designer’s Guide to Maximizing Revenue with Affiliate Links today.