Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers for interior design actually come from in Thessaloniki
Most interior design customers in Thessaloniki come from residential renovations. Apartment owners planning refurbishments search online, ask friends, or see work a designer has completed. Word of mouth remains powerful in a city this size - one satisfied customer tells others.
Commercial spaces drive another stream of work. Small businesses, shops, offices, and restaurants in central and northern Thessaloniki often need design help when opening or refreshing their space. These customers sometimes have clearer budgets than residential ones.
Online search matters more than it once did. When someone in Thessaloniki types 'interior designer' or 'design consultation,' they find results. A profile on Websta or similar platforms shows up in these searches and gives you a page to send to anyone who asks.
Workplace referrals happen too. If you work another job in sales, hospitality, or business services, your colleagues and their networks may come to you. Construction companies, real estate agents, and architects sometimes recommend designers they know.
Social media and personal networks play a smaller role than you might think when starting out. They matter more once you have visible completed work to show.
How to set your first prices in Thessalolik
Pricing interior design work in Thessaloniki depends on whether you charge hourly, per project, or per-room. Most designers in the city combine these - for example, hourly rates for consultations and project fees for full designs.
Research what others charge. Search for interior designers in Thessaloniki, look at their websites or profiles, and note what they list. You will see a range because experience, specialization, and location vary. New designers typically price below established ones.
Start by calculating what you need to earn per hour to cover your time, materials, tools, and living costs, then add margin. A designer working 20 hours a week on client projects while employed elsewhere needs different pricing than someone full-time.
The first customers often push price. Some will ask if you can do it cheaper or for 'exposure' or a future referral. Have a clear minimum rate in mind before you quote. Stating prices on your profile reduces these conversations.
Prices on a Websta profile are visible to everyone who finds you. This filters inquiries - people who can afford your rate contact you, others do not. Vague pricing leads to more time wasted on unsuitable inquiries.
Talking about money and getting paid
Once you take payment from customers, you operate as self-employed. In Greece, this means registering with the tax authorities (AADE) and keeping records of income. Check with your local tax office (AADE office in Thessaloniki) for exact requirements, as these can change. Many self-employed designers work with an accountant to handle this.
Websta processes card payments through Stripe and pays the money into your own bank account. You keep the full amount you set as your price - Websta takes no cut from the price itself. Standard card processing fees apply.
Before you take your first payment, clarify whether you need a business license or if you operate as a sole trader. This varies by how you structure your work and your existing employment. Do not guess - ask AADE or a local accountant.
Invoice every customer, even for small jobs. This creates a record and looks professional. Many designers use simple invoicing software or templates.
Set a deposit or payment schedule for larger projects. Taking full payment upfront for design work that takes weeks creates cash flow but may deter customers. Taking payment only at the end leaves you financing the project. Many designers ask for 30-50 percent upfront.
What your first ten customers usually look like
The first few customers are often people you already know or who found you by accident - a friend of a friend, someone who searched Google, or a referral from someone you worked with before.
Some early customers will be price-conscious or hesitant. They may ask many questions because they have never hired a designer before. They need reassurance that your work is real. Show them your portfolio or previous work - photos, before-and-after comparisons, or references.
A few will have unclear budgets or expectations. They want 'something beautiful' but have not thought about cost. Your job is to clarify scope and price early so no one is surprised.
The easiest early customers are those with straightforward projects - a single room, a consultation, or a small commercial space. Avoid taking on your first major renovation unless you are confident. Small wins build your portfolio and confidence.
By the tenth customer, you will start seeing patterns: which project types you enjoy, which customers communicate well, what pricing actually works in the market. This information matters more than the number of customers itself.
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Many new designers underprice because they are not confident. They land a customer, charge less than their time is worth, deliver excellent work, and feel exhausted. Higher prices usually attract fewer inquiries but make the work sustainable.
Scope creep is common. A consultation becomes design work, which becomes project management, which becomes shopping for furniture - all without adjusting the fee. Set boundaries in writing before you start.
You may struggle to collect payment or face delays. Some customers treat design like a favor, not work. Clear contracts and deposit policies help, but collecting money always takes longer than expected.
Finding customers takes longer than it seems. Posting on social media does not guarantee work. Building visible presence - a professional profile, completed projects you can show, word-of-mouth traction - takes months, not weeks.
Mixing your professional and personal life gets messy. Friends ask for 'a quick look' at their flat and expect free or cheap advice. Colleagues assume you will design their home as a side favor. Set professional boundaries early.
How a Websta profile helps you build this business
A Websta profile works as a professional homepage anyone can find and share. It shows your services, the prices you set, photos of your work, and a contact form. A potential customer can book or message you directly.
The profile has a direct URL you can send to anyone - a link in an email, on your social media, or in a message. No need to explain what you do; they click and see your work and rates.
Websta's marketplace lets customers nearby post design tasks and providers make offers. If you set up a profile, you can see and respond to these requests. Some customers search this way; others use it as a second channel.
Payments come through your own bank account. You set the price, the customer pays by card, and the money transfers to your bank. This is simpler than invoicing separately or handling cash.
A profile with prices and online booking reduces back-and-forth. People know what you charge before they contact you. This filters unsuitable inquiries and saves you time.
The realistic timeline and what to do now
Building an interior design income takes time. Your first month may bring one or two inquiries if you are active in search. By month three or four, if you have a profile, do some local promotion, and ask past customers for referrals, you may have one regular customer or two smaller projects.
Do not expect consistent monthly income in the first six months. Some months you land a project, others nothing. This is why many designers keep another job until they have steady work.
Start now by listing your services and setting a base price, even if you adjust it later. Create a portfolio - photographs of work you have done, even small projects. Set up a Websta profile or similar platform so you are findable.
Do one small project well and ask for a review or permission to use it in your portfolio. This builds credibility for the next customer.
Accept that earning money as an interior designer in Thessaloniki requires patience and consistent effort. The work is real and the market exists, but success is measured in months, not weeks.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a business license to work as an interior designer in Thessaloniki?
- Requirements depend on how you structure your work and whether you are already employed. You must register with AADE (the Greek tax authority) as self-employed. Contact your local AADE office in Thessaloniki or a local accountant for exact steps - rules can vary and change.
- How much can I earn as an interior designer in Thessaloniki starting out?
- Income depends entirely on the projects you land and the prices you set. Earning takes time - expect to build slowly in your first months. Do not base decisions on promised amounts; focus on setting fair prices for your work and finding customers consistently.
- How do I get paid if I use Websta?
- Customers pay by card through Stripe, and the money transfers to your own bank account. You set the price; Websta does not take a cut from your rates. Standard card processing fees apply. The money goes directly to you.
- Can I do interior design part-time while working another job in Thessaloniki?
- Yes, many designers start this way. You can take projects around another job and build your client base gradually. Pricing and availability need to be clear to customers - set realistic timelines for your work.
- What should I show potential customers if I have no portfolio yet?
- Take photographs of any interior work you have done, even small projects for friends or family. Before-and-after photos are powerful. If you have none, start with your first paying customer and ask permission to use their project in your portfolio. References from satisfied customers also help build trust.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
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