Why Renovations Are the Smartest Opportunity for Interior Designers in 2025
While new construction may be slowing, that doesn’t mean residential interior design work is drying up. In fact, home renovations and design refreshes are on the rise—and for interior designers, that’s very good news. This isn’t a market slowdown; it’s a market shift. And the firms who lean into it strategically will win big.
Renovation Spending Is Up (and Clients Want Design Support)
With fewer people moving due to high interest rates and housing scarcity, homeowners are turning inward and reinvesting in their existing spaces. From updating kitchens and bathrooms to reimagining underused rooms, design-savvy clients are seeking expert help to make their current homes feel like dream homes.
This trend is particularly strong among:
Millennials aging into homeownership
Families prioritizing function + style
Luxury homeowners looking for lifestyle upgrades
Why This Matters for Interior Design Firms
This shift in client behavior opens a huge opportunity for residential interior designers to:
Reposition design services around transformation and ROI
Adjust messaging to meet clients where they are now (i.e. not building from scratch)
Highlight your expertise in reimagining spaces—not just designing from the ground up
This isn’t just about aesthetics. Clients want to feel like they’re making a wise investment. That’s where strategic interior design becomes an undeniable asset.
Our Take at 19th & C0.: Don’t Panic—Pivot
The residential interior design industry isn’t disappearing. It’s evolving. The most resilient design firms are the ones that see the shift and move with it—not against it.
At 19th & Co., we help interior designers:
Restructure their offers to speak directly to renovation-minded clients
Adjust pricing models to account for smaller-but-frequent renovation projects
Streamline operations to make smaller projects more profitable
Create marketing language that builds trust and momentum with ideal clients
What Interior Designers Can Do Now
Audit your services: Do they appeal to clients staying put, not just new homeowners?
Update your website copy: Show before/afters, speak to lifestyle improvements, and highlight past renovation projects.
Rework your packages: Can you introduce tiered offerings for design refreshes vs. full home renovations?
Lean into content marketing: Share real stories of transformation—not just pretty photos.
The interior design market hasn’t shrunk—it’s just shifted. Are you shifting with it? If you’re ready to realign your design services and business strategy to match where the opportunity is now, 19th & Co. is here to help. Book a strategy session with our team and let’s map out what comes next for your design firm.
