Episode 85: Should Interior Designers Mark Up Product? The Truth About Pricing, Profit & Transparency

Should you mark up product as an interior designer? If that question makes you feel even a little weird in your stomach, you’re not alone. It’s one of those topics that gets whispered about in designer circles, and somehow still feels “controversial” even though… it’s literally how business works. Here’s what we unpack in this episode: • The four most common pricing models designers use (cost-plus, split discount, straight retail, pass-through) • Why we give our clients 15% off retail and why that works beautifully for our firm • The truth about “double dipping” and why that argument doesn’t hold water • Why transparency doesn’t mean handing over 100 invoices a month • The risk designers carry behind the scenes that no one sees • And how to confidently explain your value without apologizing for being profitable We also talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough: procurement is not just clicking “add to cart.” It’s months of coordination, quality control, troubleshooting, vendor relationships built over decades, and protecting your client from chaos they never even know happened. Because here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud: Interior design is a creative business. But it is still a business. If you want stronger profit margins, healthier cash flow, and the confidence to talk about your pricing without flinching, you’ll want to listen to this one all the way through. We don’t just answer the question. We explain the why behind it. And that’s the part that changes everything. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher