If you’re not booking interior design projects with five and six-figure design fees, don’t blame it on your market or your clients. Many things have to be in place to book those bigger projects that everyone so desires. And best of all: these things are all in your control. Woop woop.

Without further ado, here’s what needs to be true to book interior design projects with five and six-figure design fees (that’s design fees in the five and six-figures, not project budgets).

Nothing will lead to burnout faster than working all the time but barely turning a profit. If you feel like you’re constantly in motion but your bank account doesn’t reflect your effort, it’s time to take a hard look at what’s really happening inside your business.

The reality? It’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. And for many interior designers, the reason they’re struggling to make money comes down to five key issues.

Inside this post, I’m breaking down:

• The hidden inefficiencies that are eating up your time and profits

• The biggest pricing mistakes designers make (and why your rates might be too low)

• How your marketing and client process could be attracting the wrong clients

• Why your overhead might be quietly killing your profits

• The first thing you need to fix to stop the cycle of overwork and under-earning

If you’re tired of working 24/7 and still feeling stretched thin, this article will help you pinpoint exactly what’s holding you back—and what to do next. Join The DTS Files for my advice.

Is It Time to Raise Your Rates? Here’s How to Know

Most interior designers are undercharging for their expertise, and chances are, you might be too.

If you haven’t raised your rates in the last year, are constantly booked out, or find yourself working nonstop yet barely profitable, it’s time to take a serious look at your pricing structure.

In this exclusive post, I’m breaking down the 11 signs that you’re overdue for a rate increase, plus:

• The mindset shifts you need to confidently charge more

• How to position your pricing to attract higher-end clients

• Why most designers struggle with pricing (and how to stop leaving money on the table)

• The key mistakes designers make when raising their rates—and how to avoid them

Your pricing directly impacts your workload, client quality, and overall business sustainability. If you're feeling burned out, frustrated, or constantly negotiating your fees, this post will show you exactly how to raise your rates the right way—without fear or second-guessing yourself.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

What should I do when an interior design client won’t pay?

When a Client Won’t Pay: How to Handle Non-Payment & Protect Your Business

There’s nothing worse than chasing a client for payment after you’ve poured hours into their project. Suddenly, you’re not just an interior designer—you’re a collections agency, too.

But before you assume the worst, it’s important to understand why a client may not be paying—and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Inside this post, I’m breaking down:

• The most common reasons clients delay or refuse payment

• Proactive strategies to avoid non-payment before a project even starts

• How to structure contracts, invoices, and payment schedules so you never have to chase a client down again

• What to do when a client refuses to pay, including the steps to take before resorting to legal action

This is a must-read for any designer who wants to protect their revenue, set firm payment policies, and confidently discuss money with clients—without the awkwardness or stress.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Dear Dakota,

How do I handle hourly clients who keep adding to their projects? The additional requests are hard to keep track of and I feel like I’m never able to complete a project because there are so many little things that are always open. HELP!

If you’ve ever had a client start with one room, then slowly add "just a few more things"—a light fixture here, a paint color there—until you feel like you're stuck in an endless cycle of selections, this post is for you.

Scope creep can derail your process, push your workload over capacity, and train clients to expect on-demand access to your expertise. So how do you manage additional requests while maintaining a clear process, ensuring profitability, and keeping your projects on track?

Inside this post, I’m sharing:

• How to set scope boundaries from the start—even as an hourly designer

• The red flag moment when a new request should become a new project

• Why "just saying yes" leads to burnout and client dissatisfaction

• How top designers structure their process to keep projects moving

If managing client expectations feels like a constant struggle, don’t miss this one.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Why ‘Charge Your Worth’ Is the Worst Pricing Advice Ever

If you’ve ever been told to “charge what you’re worth,” I need you to throw that advice straight into the trash.

Here’s why: Your worth is priceless—but pricing your services? That requires actual strategy.

In this article, I’ll share:

• The biggest pricing mistakes designers make (and how they’re costing you thousands).

• The real factors that determine pricing (hint: it’s both art and science).

• The simple yet powerful shift that makes it easy to confidently present high-end proposals.

• What to track to ensure your pricing is backed by data, not emotions.

If you want to stop second-guessing your prices and start charging rates that reflect the real value of your work, join The DTS Files to unlock the full post.

Dear Dakota,

What do you do when someone tries to negotiate your fees? Do you run away from the client? What’s the best way to explain the cost and your worth?

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

Pricing your services as an interior designer can be one of the hardest parts of running a business—especially when creative work, project management, vendors, and unpredictable timelines are all in the mix. But here’s the thing: pricing shouldn’t feel like a guessing game.

In The DTS Files, I’m breaking down:

• The biggest mistake designers make when pricing their services (and how to fix it).

• How to price based on data (not fear), so you can confidently present fees to clients.

• What you should track to uncover hidden profit opportunities in your business.

• Why “charge what you’re worth” is the worst advice—and what to do instead.

Your business can be wildly profitable when you know how to price your services correctly. If you want to set fees that reflect your expertise without overworking yourself into the ground, join The DTS Files to unlock this article and my advice.