The Top Website Mistakes Interior Designers Make (And How to Fix Them)
- Cathleen Hall Creative
- Aug 9, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 30
Your website isn’t just a digital business card - it’s your best salesperson, your portfolio, and your brand’s first impression all rolled into one. It should feel like walking into a beautifully designed space: warm, clear, intentional, and aligned with what you do best. But here’s the truth: even the most talented interior designers make missteps that keep their site from doing the heavy lifting.
Let me paint you a picture.
You meet a dream client at an event. They rave about your work and say they’re looking for someone exactly like you. They take your card and say, “I’ll check out your website!”
But when they land on your site? The messaging is vague. They’re not sure what services you offer, or if you even specialize in the kind of project they need. The photos are beautiful, but there’s no clear next step. They get overwhelmed and click away — and you never hear from them again.
That’s the moment your website is quietly costing you business. Let’s make sure that never happens again.
Here are the most common website mistakes I see interior designers make and how to fix them with clarity, confidence, and smart strategy.
Mistake #1: Talking to Everyone (So You’re Not Speaking to Anyone)
It’s tempting to stay open-ended when writing your website copy. After all, you don’t want to limit yourself, right?
But in trying to appeal to everyone, you’re not making a strong connection with the right people. Your dream client doesn’t feel seen. They don’t realize you’re exactly who they’ve been looking for, so they move on.
Fix it: Define your niche and let it shape the language and tone of your site. If your ideal client is a luxury homeowner with young kids who craves both elegance and livability, speak directly to that. Use their language, highlight their pain points, and show them you understand their world. The goal is to make them say, “Wow, this designer gets me.”
Mistake #2: No Clear Value Proposition
You have about 5 seconds to capture someone’s attention when they land on your site. If it’s not immediately clear what you do and how you do it differently, you’ve lost them.
Fix it: Your value proposition should be front and center - typically in the hero section of your homepage. And it needs to go deeper than "interior design services." Instead, think: “We design family-friendly homes that balance function, beauty, and lasting comfort for real life.” Or “Boutique interiors for clients who crave a calm, collected space with soul.”
Make this message consistent across your site: from your About page to your service descriptions. The more consistent and clear your value, the more confident your clients will feel.
Mistake #3: Clunky Navigation and Frustrating UX
Imagine inviting someone into a beautifully designed space, but there’s no clear path to walk, no seating in sight, and the lighting is way off. That’s what confusing website navigation feels like.
Fix it: Your site should feel like your most welcoming space. Stick to 5–7 primary navigation links. Think: Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Blog, and Contact. Use labels that reflect your unique offerings - like "Full Service Design" or "Designer for a Day" and make it easy for visitors to find what they need without guessing. A well-organized site gives the impression that your design process will be equally thoughtful.
Mistake #4: Inconsistent Branding
Brand confusion kills trust. If your fonts, colors, tone of voice, or image styles change from page to page, it creates a disjointed experience and leaves potential clients unsure of who you really are.
Fix it: Choose a brand direction and stick to it. Use consistent fonts, color palettes, image styles, and tone throughout your site. If your vibe is clean, elevated, and minimal, your site should reflect that everywhere. Branding consistency signals professionalism, attention to detail, and a thoughtful experience - all things your ideal client is looking for.
Mistake #5: A Portfolio That Doesn’t Tell a Story
Your portfolio is more than pretty pictures. It's proof that you know how to solve problems and deliver results, not just design beautiful rooms.
Fix it: For each project, explain the client’s goals, your approach, and the outcome. Did you help a couple merge styles in their first home together? Did you turn a dated kitchen into a chef-worthy dream space that still works for a busy family? Share that context. Testimonials and before-and-after photos bring it all to life. When potential clients see your process and results, they start to picture themselves working with you.
Mistake #6: Weak or Missing Calls-to-Action
You’d be surprised how many beautiful websites don’t actually tell visitors what to do next. It’s like designing a gorgeous space and not inviting anyone to sit down.
Fix it: Each page should guide your visitor to a next step. Use confident CTAs like “Start Your Project,” “Inquire Now,” or “Let’s Talk Design.” Repeat them throughout your pages and make sure they stand out visually. You’re not being pushy, you’re helping your dream clients take action.
Mistake #7: Not Optimized for Mobile
More than half of your traffic is coming from mobile. If your site doesn’t work well on a phone, you’re missing out.
Fix it: Use responsive design that adapts your layout, text, and images to smaller screens. Make sure buttons are easy to tap and text is legible without pinching and zooming. Test your site on multiple devices and screen sizes regularly. A polished mobile experience shows you value your client’s time and attention to detail.
Mistake #8: Letting Your Website Go Stale
Imagine if your portfolio ended in 2019 or your blog hadn’t been updated in a year. Visitors might wonder: are you still in business?
Fix it: Keep your website fresh with updated project photos, refreshed messaging, and relevant content. Share what you’re working on or what’s inspiring you lately. Add a recent testimonial. Even subtle updates show you're active, evolving, and engaged.
Your website is more than a digital portfolio - it’s your handshake, your storefront, your lead generator, and your client experience preview. Done right, it builds trust, tells your story, and invites the right people to take the next step.
But when it’s confusing, outdated, or generic, it can quietly turn the perfect client away before you ever get a chance to connect.
The good news? Every one of these mistakes is fixable - and you don’t have to do it alone.
At Cathleen Hall Creative, we design strategic, beautiful websites for interior designers who are ready to stop babysitting their site and start using it as the powerful tool it’s meant to be.
Ready for a website that works just as hard as you do?
