Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of an Interior Designer / Real Estate Agent

 

As an interior designer and real estate agent, my day is anything but ordinary. Each day brings a new set of challenges and opportunities, where creativity, strategy, and deep market knowledge intersect. Itโ€™s a dynamic combination that keeps me on my toes, balancing aesthetics with functionality and helping clients find their dream homes, all while ensuring they have a space that truly reflects their personality and lifestyle.

If youโ€™ve ever wondered what a typical day looks like for someone in my shoes, this post will give you an inside look. From the moment I wake up to when I close my laptop at the end of the day, the day to day of my jobs varies and always keeps me on my toes. Itโ€™s not just about picking paint colors or staging a home, itโ€™s about understanding my clientsโ€™ needs and delivering a space that works for themโ€”both as a home and an investment.

The Morning: Planning, Prep, and Paperwork

The day starts early and always begins taking my sweet dog Albus out for a walk. Whether Iโ€™m working with a buyer looking for a new home or a client hoping to transform their living room, I kick off everyday with my morning routine which includes fixing my favorite Nespresso latte, listening to a podcast, and journaling for at least 30 minutes.

Once I finish setting my daily intentions I start reviewing my calendar and to-do list. I go over emails, check in on any ongoing projects, and set the tone for the day. A well-planned morning helps me stay on top of the many moving pieces in both of my real estate and design worlds.

As a real estate agent, I start by reviewing the listings Iโ€™m working on. This means checking for new properties that have hit the market, reviewing contract updates, and preparing for any showings or meetings. Itโ€™s a balancing actโ€”helping clients navigate the housing market while making sure their design ideas are brought to life seamlessly.

Once I am I caught up on any Real Estate to-do's I , I focus on my design business. This looks different depending what is going on - it could mean finalizing ideas for a space or coordinating with contractors to ensure projects are on schedule. If Iโ€™m working on a renovation, Iโ€™ll look over design boards, choose final details, or follow up on any decisions that need to be made (like selecting light fixtures, for example). I also produce a weekly design blog and weekly episodes of the Nomadic Spaces Podcast which requires a lot of time and effort of batching content. I also batch all of my social media content for Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and more. (Batching includes mass writing, production, filming, and scheduling for 2-6 months at a time.)

The morning is my time to ensure everything is organized and that both my design clients and real estate buyers have what they need.

Mid-Morning: Client Calls and Property Tours

By mid-morning, Iโ€™m typically in full work mode. A key part of my day involves client calls. Whether Iโ€™m helping a couple find the perfect home or working with a family to design a functional yet stylish living room, these calls are essential. I take the time to listen carefully to what they want out of their space or home purchase, ensuring that my advice and recommendations are tailored to their specific needs.

As a real estate agent, Iโ€™m often showing homes during this time. This might mean taking clients to a house thatโ€™s just hit the market, walking them through its potential, and helping them envision what changes could make it perfect for them. I know that finding the right home goes beyond location and priceโ€”itโ€™s about finding the potential that fits their vision.

With design clients, I may also spend part of the morning reviewing progress on ongoing projects. This could include checking on renovations or installations, confirming that everything is moving forward smoothly. I might walk through a newly designed space to make sure the final touches are in placeโ€”adjusting pillows on a sofa or tweaking the placement of artwork. The goal is always to create a space that feels cohesive and thoughtfully designed.

Lunch: Catching Up on Business and Mindset Work

While lunch is often a quick break, itโ€™s also an opportunity to catch up on the business side of things. Whether Iโ€™m networking with other agents, coordinating with contractors, or chatting with suppliers about new products, thereโ€™s always something to manage. Being in both real estate and interior design requires a broad network, and I make sure to stay connected to key players in both industries.

Often if I didn't have time to workout in the morning (or it's too cold ) I'll try to plan a mid day work out - usually that looks like running around the lake by my home or going to the local gym if it's too cold or rainy. It's important for my mental health and mindset to move my body so I really try to do this everyday unless my schedule is too busy. I enjoy working out earlier in the day because it helps my mindset shift to "I can do THIS" no matter what challenges I might be facing at any given moment.

Afternoon: Site Visits, Staging, and Design Work

In the afternoon, I often have site visits scheduled for both real estate and interior design clients. For real estate, this could be viewing properties with buyers or meeting sellers to discuss how to prepare their home for sale. When staging a property, Iโ€™ll walk through each room, evaluating what furniture stays, what gets replaced, and where improvements should be made. The goal is always to make the home feel inviting and appealing to potential buyers.

When it comes to design work, I might be finalizing plans for a living room renovation or reviewing floor plans with a client. This part of the day is when I put all the pieces of the puzzle together, whether itโ€™s creating mood boards for a new design or coordinating the logistics of an upcoming project. It could also mean checking on furniture deliveries, deciding on custom pieces, or evaluating material options.

I enjoy this part of the day because itโ€™s when I see the most tangible progress. Whether Iโ€™m adding the final touches to a clientโ€™s home staging or seeing a room come together with new furniture, itโ€™s incredibly rewarding. The beauty of being both a designer and an agent is that I get to see homes evolve in real timeโ€”watching how design can increase both function and market value.

Late Afternoon: Client Follow-Ups and Detailed Design Work

As the day comes to a close, I often find myself in follow-up mode. I make sure clients are on track with their decisions, answer any lingering questions, and confirm next steps. For real estate clients, this could be going over contracts or negotiating terms. For design clients, it could mean discussing changes to design plans or finalizing fabric choices.

During this time, I might also be doing some creative work on my own. Whether Iโ€™m drafting new design plans, creating marketing content, or working on color schemes and layouts, the late afternoon is when I focus on the details that will make the space feel uniquely theirs. This might mean incorporating the latest design trends or creating a custom solution to a tricky space.

For both real estate and design, this is the time to ensure that everything is on schedule, and that there are no loose ends before I wrap up for the day. Itโ€™s all about moving the project forward while ensuring that my clients feel supported and informed throughout the process.

 

Evening: Wrapping Up and Planning for Tomorrow

As the day ends, I take some time to reflect on whatโ€™s been accomplished. I update my to-do list for the next day, prepare for upcoming meetings, and ensure that all the moving parts are in sync. I also use this time to follow up with clients via email or check in with my team, whether itโ€™s confirming a meeting time or giving an update on an ongoing project.

Though the day might be winding down, the job doesnโ€™t truly stop. As an interior designer and real estate agent, Iโ€™m always thinking aheadโ€”whether itโ€™s considering new design ideas for a client or keeping a close eye on new listings and market trends.

I try to end my work day with a relaxing at home yoga stretch to release any tension in my neck and shoulders.

Passion and Purpose: Why I Love What I Do

One of the reasons I love being both an interior designer and a real estate agent is that Iโ€™m able to make a lasting impact on peopleโ€™s lives. Whether Iโ€™m helping clients find the perfect home or transforming a space to meet their needs, the work I do is about much more than just aesthetics or salesโ€”itโ€™s about creating environments that people will love and feel comfortable in.

Every project is an opportunity to problem-solve, be creative, and learn something new. And seeing the final results, whether thatโ€™s a perfectly staged home or a newly designed living room, is incredibly rewarding. Itโ€™s about making people feel confident in their homes, whether theyโ€™re buying, selling, or renovating.

If youโ€™re thinking about making changes to your space or need help navigating the real estate market, Iโ€™d love to help. With my experience in both fields, I can offer you a holistic approach that brings your vision to lifeโ€”whether youโ€™re buying your dream home, selling an investment property, or designing a space thatโ€™s perfect for you.

Ready to take the next step? Letโ€™s chat!

 

If you are looking to transform your space or just want to say hi, I'd love to connect! Reach out here!

 
 

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BY SARAH BRONSTEIN
 
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