Sell Your Artwork: Partnering with Interior Designers

The Overlooked Benefits of Interior Designers

As an artist trying to sell more artwork, one of the typically overlooked artwork marketing strategies is interior designers. Interior designers are constantly looking for well-designed artworks for their clients’ residences or commercial spaces such as offices. By nurturing connections with interior designers, you can broaden your market base, increase income, and establish credibility in the art business.

But how do you approach them? And how do you ensure that your artwork is the one that catches the eye? Let’s find out.

How Interior Designers Choose Art for Their Projects

Before approaching any designers, it is good to have a keen insight on:

✅ Style and Aesthetic – There is always an emerging art genre like minimalistic, abstract pieces and bold colors, hence, designers want art that captures the current trends.
✅ Client Preferences – Each project is different and some clients love modern art, others prefer classic oil paintings of landscapes.
✅ Size and Scale – Large statement pieces are often in demand for feature walls.
✅ Quality and Uniqueness – Designers utilize pieces of art pieces of work that capture their imagination.

Pro Tip: Check out the profiles of top interior designers on Instagram or Pinterest. You can see the type of art they use in their projects.

How to Connect with Interior Designers (The Right Way)

Polish Your Portfolio

Add a description on your Instagram or website of the services offered, which should include:

Well taken photographs showcasing your previous work.
Offers of different sizes.
Stated prices or means of acquiring them.
Style and designs that complement one another.

Collaborate with Other Designers

Participate in design and decor expos, art fairs, or conferences.
Become a member of Facebook/ LinkedIn groups for interior designers.
Invite people to cooperate on a stylized photoshoot.

Create a tailored pitch and make initial contact

Generic emails simply do not work. Instead open the email as follows:

“Hello [Designer’s Name],

I was impressed by your handiwork at [Location]. The incorporation of textures and colors was captivating. In [your art style], there is an angle for my work and merits several applications in upcoming projects I plan. May I send you my portfolio?”

Why does this work? It demonstrates to them that you researched before and that you are not a bot.

Offer A Trade Discount

With other designers, it’s usual to work on a trade program (they receive discounts for bulk purchases). It might make sense to propose:

15 to 20% for designers (they will sell at much higher margins to clients).
Initial and exclusive new collections access.

How to Make Your Art More Appealing to Designers

Provide Options for Personal Selection

Does your artwork come in different color versions or scales?
Do your services include framing? (Most designers want pieces that are ready to display.)

Create Professional Grade Mock Ups

Assist designers in picturing how your artwork looks in a room by providing:
Digital mockups of rooms (these can be done in Photoshop or Canva).

Augmented reality previews (some platforms allow clients to visualize art on their walls through their cameras using some apps).

Conduct Business in a Professional Manner

Articulate and timely response to inquiries (designers tend to work within tight schedules).
Transparent pricing and clearly set policies (no ambiguous additional charges).
Dependable shipping and packaging (Art must be delivered in excellent condition).

Long-Term Strategies for Success

Get Featured in Design Publications

Submit your designs to be featured in blogs and magazines focused on interior design.
Sell/show yourself as a designer collaborator artist.

Build a Look book for Designers

A PDF or webpage presenting:

The best work with designer clients
Outstanding testimonials and styled rooms evidencing client endorsement

Stay Top of Mind

Send messages with new updates on collections that match the season, for example, “New Collection Perfect for Fall Interiors.”

Interact with designers by commenting on their posts and sharing their works on social media.

Transform Designers into Recurring Customers

If you want to benefit from the sales of a designer, they can easily become your target market. If your business model offers something valuable and is easy to work with and high-quality art pieces, then it is possible to convert a one-time sale into a business partnership.

Today’s Action Step:

✅ Research and identify five interior designers in your niche and craft a tailored message for each.
✅ Redesign your portfolio to match current design trends.

Are You Ready to Sell More Art? Start Making Connections!

There’s plenty of art opportunities in the interiors industry for those who know how to market themselves. By doing so, you not only increase the number of artworks you sell, but create a sustainable artwork network that constantly drives demand for your creations.

Partnering with Interior Designers to Sell Your Artwork – A More Effective Method

Which of these will you try first? Comment below!