There are times in the construction and home renovation industry that are slow seasons for professionals. Designers experience lower volumes of clients during seasons of less optimal weather for their region and during holiday times, where client budgets are strained. This can be a challenge for design centers, whose owners need to maintain their sales volumes and find work for salaried employees who find their inbox empty and hands free.  

In this article, we have strategies for designers to use when they have extra time during slow seasons in the kitchen and bath industry. This is a great time for professional development, but also an opportunity to get some administrative or marketing work done that might get pushed when managing a full workload.

1. Review Processes and Systems

Slow seasons give designers a chance to step back and review their workflow and systems. It’s a good time to look at what’s working, what’s not, and where efficiency can be improved. 

Think about the small day-to-day frustrations. Are there workarounds that could be solved with a bit of troubleshooting? This is the time to work through those kinks that often get pushed aside during busy periods.

2. Enroll in a Course or Training Exercise

Professional education is another area to focus on during slower seasons. Take time to watch industry webinars, enroll in an online course, or update sales or product training. Here are a few examples of skills that employers may appreciate being learned on company time:

• NKBA Course Credit Courses
• Leadership Training
• Microsoft Office Training
• Design Software Training
• Safety Training (CPR/AED)

3. Practice Design Skills

Use extra time to create better renderings, explore new skills with some trial and error, or take on a “just for fun” project to add to your portfolio. Design just to keep the creative energy alive and ignite your passion for the job again. Your finished portfolio projects can be added to your range of experiences or displayed as examples for clients or social media content.

4. Create Social Media Content

Social media positions designers as trusted professionals and highlights the quality of their work. Creating and scheduling content takes time, so slow seasons are a great opportunity to plan ahead. Promoting client reviews, sharing finished projects, educating homeowners on design trends, and highlighting portfolio projects are all strong content ideas that help build a business. 

Photography plays a big role in this. Taking time to learn how to capture projects well, or organizing photo shoots, can make a noticeable difference. These images can be used for any visual marketing campaign, not just social media.  

5. Update the Company Website

Using slow seasons to refresh a website can make a real impact, especially since it is often a client’s first interaction with a brand. This way you can avoid mistakes that could cost you clients. Reviewing what is currently shown and considering whether it reflects the level of work being done today is a good place to start. Updating images, adding recent projects, and refining key pages can make a noticeable difference. Even a few focused hours can help bring a website up to date and better represent the quality of the work.

6. Make New Networking Connections

When work slows down, it’s a great time to focus on building and strengthening professional connections. Reach out on LinkedIn, set up a coffee with someone new, or reconnect with builders, designers, and contractors already in the network. Even small touchpoints, like stopping by a job site with coffee, can go a long way. 

There is also an opportunity to create connections within the local community. Partnering with businesses near you or hosting in-person events, classes, or showroom experiences can bring new people through the door and generate interest. Whether it is a cooking class in a display kitchen or a seasonal event with other local partners, these moments help build relationships and visibility.

7. Schedule Tours of Supplier Facilities

Visiting nearby suppliers like cabinet manufacturers, countertop fabricators, or plumbing showrooms can provide a better understanding of the full project and how everything comes together. These insights help strengthen conversations with clients and improve overall design decisions.

8. Clean Up the Showroom (and Desktop) 

Cleaning is not the most fun task to take on during slow seasons, but it needs to be done. Use the time to reset the workplace, from dusting displays to handling small paint touch-ups. The same applies digitally. Clearing old files from projects that did not move forward and organizing the desktop can make a big difference. This helps clear mental clutter and makes it easier to move into the next project.

9. Follow Up on Previous Inquiries, Quotes, and Sales

Slow seasons are a great time to close the loop on the buyer’s journey and reconnect with leads, past clients, and active quotes. Follow up on earlier inquiries and let them know about improved timelines or earlier availability for install. Working with Decor on delivery opportunities can help move projects forward, and this can also be shared with new leads who may be waiting for the right time to commit. 

Revisiting past projects is just as important. Checking in to see how homeowners are enjoying their space opens the door for testimonials, referrals, and future work. It keeps the relationship going beyond the install. 

There is also value in reaching out in more personal ways. A well-designed postcard or letter can stand out and remind people that new projects and collaborations are welcome. Targeting specific neighborhoods helps keep outreach focused and intentional, while reinforcing presence in the community.

Make the Most of Slow Seasons & Busy Ones

During slow seasons, it is easy to block time in the calendar to pause and think, to develop skills and tackle the to do list. It’s important to keep that energy going when client work picks back up. Set aside time each week or month to take a course, develop a plan, or schedule a networking date. Regularly reserving time for these activities helps to maintain inspiration and motivation year-round.