Credit: Mimi Di Cianni (Unsplash)
Supplying Furniture: What Interior Designers Need to Know
You’ve found the perfect piece for your client. You place the order, send your invoice, and everything looks on track — until the supplier delays delivery or the item arrives damaged. The client’s upset and wants it fixed. But who’s responsible — you, the supplier, or the client?
For interior designers, how you handle furniture orders can directly affect your client relationships, your legal exposure, and the day-to-day running of your business. What seems like a simple decision — who buys the item and who pays — can come with unexpected consequences.
Here we break down the three most common ways interior designers in Australia handle furniture orders — outlining how each option works, what risks might arise, and where legal responsibilities could fall. It helps you understand the practical and legal differences between buying and reselling, advising while the client buys directly, or acting on the client’s behalf.
Three Common Ways Designers Handle Furniture Orders
Interior designers generally manage furniture supply in one of three ways. Each option has different pros, cons, and legal implications — depending on how it’s set up in writing and in practice.
1. You Buy and Resell the Furniture to the Client
In this model, the designer purchases furniture from a supplier and then invoices the client directly. It’s simple and gives you full control over the process. You may benefit from trade discounts, and your client gets a single point of contact.
However, when you invoice the client directly for the furniture, you may be seen as the “supplier” under Australian Consumer Law. That carries legal responsibilities — including obligations for refunds, repairs, or replacements if something goes wrong, even if the issue was caused by the original supplier.
If a product is faulty, late, or undelivered — or if the supplier becomes insolvent — the client may turn to you to resolve the problem. Even if you’ve passed on the item without markup, your involvement in the transaction could trigger liability.
To reduce risk, it’s essential to have clear contracts with both the client and the supplier, a well-drafted returns policy, and possibly product liability insurance. You should also ensure clients receive warranty details and care instructions.
2. The Client Buys the Furniture, You Charge a Fee for Helping
In this setup, the client contracts directly with the supplier. You assist by sourcing options, gathering quotes, coordinating delivery, and offering advice — and you charge a separate fee for your time.
Because you’re not reselling the furniture, your risk is generally lower. You’re more of a facilitator than a supplier, and many legal obligations that apply to direct sellers may not apply to you.
However, whether or not you are considered legally responsible may still depend on the specific circumstances — such as how your role is described in writing, whether your name appears on invoices, or how payments are managed. If there’s any confusion or overlap, you could be drawn into a dispute.
You also need to watch for practical risks. Some suppliers may not allow this arrangement or offer trade pricing unless you’re the one placing the order. And if commissions or benefits are involved, you must be fully transparent with your client to avoid any perception of conflict of interest.
3. You Act as the Client’s Agent
Here, you manage the ordering process on behalf of your client — usually with written authority. You may place orders, coordinate with suppliers, and even help facilitate payments.
This gives you more control than the second option, but it also comes with additional responsibilities. When you act as an agent, you’re expected to follow the client’s instructions, act in their best interests, and manage any client funds carefully.
Your duties will depend on how the arrangement is structured, including what’s agreed in writing and whether you handle payments or decisions on the client’s behalf. In some cases, this may involve keeping funds in trust, disclosing commissions, or clarifying your role to third parties.
To avoid misunderstandings, use a dedicated agency agreement that outlines your role clearly and separately from your design services contract.
Real Risks We See Often
These decisions aren’t just operational — they can directly affect how the law applies to you and what happens if something goes wrong. Common issues designers face include:
- Clients refusing to pay for supplier problems
- Being held responsible for faults or delays
- Disputes over who approved an item or decision
- Accidentally taking on legal obligations without realising it
Choose What Fits Your Business
Each option suits a different business model and comfort level with risk. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But no matter which path you take, what matters most is clarity — in your contracts, your communication, and your documentation.
At the end of the day, your role as a designer isn’t just about beautiful spaces — it’s about running a business that’s protected, respected, and built on trust. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” — a reminder often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, and just as true in design law as it is in health. Taking time now to get your contracts, responsibilities, and legal exposure right means fewer headaches down the track.
Legal Ease, Not Legalese
At Sharon Givoni Consulting, we help interior designers put the right structures in place to protect their business while staying professional and client-focused. We offer tailored agreements, practical legal guidance, and real-world insights — so you can focus on what you do best: design.
Please note the above article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.
Please email us info@iplegal.com.au if you need legal advice about your brand or another legal matter in this area generally.