How Many Hours Do Interior Designers Work? (2024)

How many hours do interior designers work?

In this Houzz Pro Learn Guide, we’ll share all you need to know about how many hours interior designers work a day and per week, as well as time off per year so you can determine if you want to pursue an interior design career.

Do interior designers work a lot?

Here’s the short answer to how many hours a week do interior designers work. In 2022, the majority (59%) of interior designers surveyed by Houzz Pro reported working between 31 and 50 hours per week. The most common response was between 41-50 hours per week. 30% of interior designers work less than 30 hours a week, and 11% of interior designers work more than 50 hours a week. The number of hours worked per week did not drastically differ based on whether an interior designer owned their own company or was employed at an interior design firm.

How many hours a week do interior designers work?

A more detailed answer to the question, “How many hours a week do interior designers usually work?,” depends on a variety of factors. Here’s our breakdown below:

Average days per week interior designers work

Interior designers typically work Monday through Friday, though some weekend and evening work is sometimes required.

Freelance vs. interior design firm or retail role

At larger interior design firms or in a retail role, designers typically work anywhere from 40-50 hours per week, though many work closer to 40 hours each week more consistently. Working as a freelancer, or at a boutique firm, your working hours may vary greatly to meet various client deadlines, as well as other self-employed business management needs. Ultimately you could work anywhere between 30-50 hours per week depending on your own self-employed demands.

Hours per day: full-time vs. part-time

The hours you work per day will depend on your type of employment or whether or not you’re freelancing/self-employed. Typically, a full-time interior designer will work 8-10 hours/day. Part-time interior designers work 6-7 hours per day on average, but can also work less depending on their desired schedule and work-life style.

Maturity of business

Depending on the stage of your career you’re in, and whether you’re self-employed/freelance or part of a larger firm, the maturity of your business or career can impact the hours worked per week. Designers who are just starting out may need to work longer hours to become more established, while senior members of a design firm may need to also put in more hours overseeing other staff, or may have delegated some of their work to keep more reduced hours per week. Where you’re at within each unique stage in your career and what type of role you’re in will all play a factor.

Travel

If you need to travel long distances or out of town/state/country for an interior design project, this will also affect your weekly hours and work schedule. Keep this in mind when deciding on the work-life balance you desire in your career and the client locations you’re willing to serve.

Pros and cons

As you can see, the hours worked per day and per week can truly vary given a variety of circ*mstances and role types in your interior design career. It’s important to remember this when deciding on taking on interior design as a career as you may need to accommodate more flexibility in your work schedule as needs arise.

Do interior designers get time off?

According to a 2022 Houzz survey, 77% of interior designers reported taking anywhere from 1-4 weeks off annually. Meanwhile, 13% of interior designers stated that they take more than 5 weeks off each year.

Whether you work full-time or part-time, are self-employed/freelance or work for an interior design firm or in a retail role will also factor into your yearly time off. If your interior design business or career are also in the early stages, you may also need to take less time off while you ramp up your work.

Conclusion

Now that you know how many hours interior designers work given a variety of circ*mstances, you’re better able to determine the right fit for you so that you can have the work-life balance you need while advancing as you desire in your career. Learn more about the ins and outs of the interior design field by checking out our next piece: How Much Do Interior Designers Make?