The Life Of A Traveling Online Interior Designer
If you’ve been keeping up with me, you’ll know that I’ve been traveling since April of this year — all while working remotely as an online interior designer. In my last update, I shared that I was planning my travels to Lithuania, and that’s exactly where I am now (and will be for the next few weeks) — until I take off again. Pinch me, my friends… I must be living the dream, right?
This post is all about what it’s really like to live the life of a traveling online interior designer — if you’re curious to know what that looks like.
Living My Interior Designer Dreams
As a child, I first dreamed of becoming an actress (thankfully, my parents gently crushed that one). Later on, my passion for interior design began to take shape as my creativity and love for beautiful spaces grew. Read more about My Story.
Over time, I also discovered a deep love for travel, adventure, and — most recently — the unknown.
In my mind, I needed to find a way to combine all of these passions, and that’s how I began offering my design services online and building my own virtual interior design platform.
It’s been a wild ride to get to this point — but I’m so glad it led me here.
How Do You Interior Design Online?
I get this question sometimes — and it’s a fair one! People often ask, “Isn’t interior design such a hands-on process? How do you do that online?”
Well, the truth is, working as an online interior designer is quite different from working as a local, full-scope designer. I’ve done both, so I know the unique challenges of online design firsthand.
That said, I’ve also come to realize the incredible possibilities that come with this style of work. With technology, many of the traditional challenges aren’t really obstacles anymore — but the process is still different. The main difference is that online interior design is a much more collaborative experience.
Let’s break it down.
The Online Interior Design Process
First, I connect with my clients through a call. This is when I gather all the important details about their project and what they’re hoping to achieve.
I might take a look at photos or a floor plan, but most importantly, I’m there to help identify their frustrations — which are almost always the same: they’re overwhelmed by design choices, unhappy with their space, or navigating a renovation that feels chaotic.
As designers, our goal is to take away those pain points. People want a beautiful home, but they’re terrified of making the wrong choices.
From there, I create different proposals for my clients on how we can achieve their vision.
Now, you might wonder how that works when I’m overseas and have never stepped foot in their space. That’s where collaboration really comes into play.
As an online designer, I rely on clients (or their contractors) to provide accurate measurements, photos, and sometimes videos of their space. I’ve also become an expert at sourcing materials and furniture online — though, admittedly, colour coordination through a screen is still one of the trickiest parts!
There are definitely hiccups to this process (as there are hiccups in all design processes), but truthfully, the entire interior design industry has been shifting toward digital workflows for years now. Even as a full-scope designer, I — and many of my peers — were already sourcing nearly everything online.
I found that when I was servicing my clients with full-scope interior design, the process naturally started to become hybrid. I’d meet with my clients initially, but throughout most of the design process, I wouldn’t see them again until the final decorating stage — when I’d return on-site to complete the finishing touches.
Realizing that I was only truly needed in person at the very end made me see how much of the process could actually be done remotely. With the right technology, I could replace many of the in-person steps entirely and work with my clients in a whole new way.
The Traveling Designer Lifestyle
Of course, as a traveling online interior designer, there’s an extra layer of complexity — different countries, different time zones, and sometimes very late nights. These days, it’s not uncommon for me to be taking meetings at midnight!
That might sound crazy to some, but with most of my clientele based in North America, it’s just part of the lifestyle.
How do I keep up with it all? Honestly, it’s been a journey — a wild rollercoaster that I still can’t quite believe I’m on. Connecting with clients all over the world has been fascinating. I’ve built my own little online design world and get to experience life in new places — all with my laptop as my main tool.
Transitioning to this way of working wasn’t always easy, and I’ve had to learn a lot along the way. But with technology in the design world advancing so quickly, I truly believe this path is the future — especially for designers like me who crave creativity, innovation, and the freedom to work from anywhere.
How To Start Your Own Online Interior Design Business
Maybe you’re reading this because you want to become a virtual designer yourself — and that’s totally fair. I’m more than happy to share my knowledge and resources with you.
It’s taken me a long time to fully shift my business (and my life) to one where I earn my income entirely online. And let me tell you — it hasn’t been easy or straightforward.
Especially in the interior design industry, where even though e-design is a thing, it’s still not as widely understood as full-scope, in-person interior design.
If you’re curious about how to become a virtual interior designer, check out the guide I created here.
Where to Next?
Soon, I’ll be heading back to Croatia — I just can’t get enough of my homeland! After that, I’ll be spending some time in Lisbon, Portugal, before returning to where I was born and raised: Toronto, Canada.
From there? I’m not entirely sure where this journey will take me next… but I’m along for the ride.
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Let’s design your space together, virtually.
