"I Don't Have Time for This" – Why Being Time Poor Is Exactly When You Need a Designer

Written By Jenn Cartwright

We've all been there. You walk past that cluttered corner every single day, mentally adding "figure out what to do with this space" to your never-ending to-do list. Months pass. The corner stays cluttered. Life stays busy.

Here's what I hear all the time: "I'd love to work on my space, but I just don't have the time right now."

And I get it. Between work, family, and just keeping up with daily life, who has hours to spend researching furniture dimensions, comparing fabric samples, and second-guessing paint colors?

But here's the thing: being time poor is actually the BEST reason to work with a designer.

You're Already Spending the Time (Just in Tiny, Frustrating Increments)

Think about it. How many times have you:

  • Scrolled Pinterest for "just 10 minutes" that turned into an hour?

  • Visited a furniture store on Saturday only to leave overwhelmed and empty-handed?

  • Bought something you thought would work, only to return it two weeks later?

  • Lived with a space that doesn't quite function because you haven't had time to fix it?

All those little moments add up. And they're scattered across weeks or months, which means you're carrying that mental load for way longer than necessary.

What Working with a Designer Actually Looks Like

I'm not going to sugarcoat it—you'll need to carve out some time upfront. But we're talking about:

  • One or two focused conversations about how you live and what you need

  • Quick check-ins to review options I've curated specifically for you

  • A final walkthrough when everything comes together

That's it. No endless store visits. No analysis paralysis at 11 PM while you compare seventeen shades of white online. No wondering if that sofa will actually fit.

I do the research, the measuring, the hunting, the coordinating. You get to focus on the fun part: saying yes to the pieces you love and watching your space transform.

The Real Cost of Waiting

While you're waiting for life to slow down (spoiler: it won't), you're living in a space that doesn't support you.

Maybe your mornings are chaotic because you don't have a functional drop zone by the door. Maybe you avoid hosting friends because your living room feels incomplete. Maybe you're just tired of walking past that corner and feeling guilty about it.

Good design isn't about making your house look nice. It's about making your life easier.

And if you're time poor? You need that more than anyone.

Your Time Is Worth Something

Here's how I think about it: if I can save you 20+ hours of research, shopping, and decision fatigue, what's that worth to you? What would you do with those 20 hours instead?

Maybe it's more time with your kids. Maybe it's actually relaxing on the weekend. Maybe it's just not thinking about that damn corner anymore.

That's what I'm really offering. Not just a beautiful space (though yes, you'll get that too), but your time back.

Start Small If You Need To

Not ready to commit to a full room? I get it. Start with what's bugging you most:

  • That entryway that's always a mess

  • The primary bedroom that doesn't feel restful

  • The home office that's killing your productivity

One functional, finished space can make a huge difference in your daily life. And once you experience how much easier it is to work with someone who handles the heavy lifting? You'll wonder why you waited so long.

You don't need more time to fix your space. You need someone who can do it efficiently while you focus on everything else.

And honestly? That's what I'm here for.

Ready to reclaim your time and your space?

Let's chat about what's not working in your home and how we can fix it without taking over your life.

jenn@slateandcompany.ca

Jenn Cartwright