About the Role
Interior Designer, Specialist
Location: 3232 Lake Ave Suite 1, Wilmette, IL 60091
The entry pay for this position is $22/hr with uncapped quarterly bonus pay potential. Total compensation may vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Overview:
At Wayfair, we believe everyone deserves a home they love and as a Design Specialist, you’ll help make that happen. You'll be more than a salesperson; you’ll be a trusted design partner, guiding customers through everything from furniture selections to full-room transformations. Using your interior design expertise, trend awareness, and flair for customer service, you’ll help bring their vision to life—whether in-store, virtually, or in their home.
This role blends creativity and strategy, giving you the tools to inspire and the autonomy to deliver results. From room layouts to fabric swatches, your design solutions will reflect each customer’s unique style, budget, and needs. We’re not just a store, we’re a community of creators, doers, and dreamers. At Wayfair, you’ll join a team that cheers each other on, celebrates wins big and small, and knows that building beautiful homes should also be fun.
Ready to help customers fall in love with their homes and your career? Let’s make it happen.
What Does A Retail Design Specialist Do?
- 🔍 Be the Customer’s Trusted Advisor: Greet, listen, and learn. You’ll lead design consultations that feel more like conversations, getting to know your customer’s style, needs, and how they really live. Whether it’s a growing family, a new pet, or a dream remodel, you’ll help it all come together beautifully.
- 🎨 Turn Vision Into Reality: Create stunning, functional spaces using your design expertise—think color theory, spatial planning , textiles, and trend-savvy picks. You'll walk customers through fabric swatches, finishes, and product choices with confidence and clarity.
- 🛋️ Inspire with Tech + Tools: Build out 2D/3D room views, mood boards, and persuasive presentations using our design software. (Bonus points if you’ve dabbled in tools like SketchUp, DesignFiles, Floorplanner, Icovia, or a similar tool!)
- 📈 Always Be Designing (and Selling): Every interaction is a chance to build trust and drive results. You’ll grow sales by turning design dreams into shoppable plans—and guiding customers every step of the way.
- 📅 Multitask with Purpose: Balance design appointments, sales floor chats, team collabs—you’ll handle it all with a positive attitude and a flexible mindset.
- 🎯 Be a Team Player: Pitch in on floor sets, help with replenishment, and share your best design hacks with the team. We grow together here.
- 🚀 Drive Sales with Style: Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, grow your pipeline, and close the loop on beautiful, functional spaces. You’ll actively seek out leads and help customers take the next step.
You’ll Thrive in this Role if You Have:
- 🛍️ Sales Chops: 2+ years of sales experience, ideally with higher price-point products or in a design-related retail environment.
- 🛋️ Design Know-How: At least 1 year of experience in interior, architectural, or graphic design—plus a solid grasp of spatial planning, color theory, and style trends.
- 📆 Flexibility: Open availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. You’re ready when your customers are.
- 🖥️ Tech Savviness: You’re comfortable using design tools (AutoCAD, SketchUp, DesignFiles, etc.), POS systems, and platforms like Salesforce.
- 🤝 Team Spirit: You shine in a collaborative, cross-functional environment and love being part of a supportive, high-performing crew.
- 🗣️ Great People Skills: You're a strong communicator with the confidence to guide, advise, and build trust with customers from all walks of life.
- ⚡ A Hustle Mindset: You thrive in a fast-paced setting and know how to prioritize like a pro—whether you're juggling back-to-back appointments or jumping in to help on the floor.
- 🎓 A Design-Driven Background: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent design-related education is a plus, but not a deal-breaker. Passion and skill go a long way!
Additional Physical and Environmental Requirements:
- 💪 Physical Activity: Frequent standing, walking, and reaching with hands and arms; occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, and crawling.
- 🧎 Mobility & Movement: Frequent stooping, kneeling, and crouching throughout the day.
- 📦 Lifting Ability: Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs regularly.
- 👀 Vision Requirements: Includes close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
- 🌡️ Temperature Flexibility: Comfortable in environments with varying temperature conditions.
- 🔊 Noise Tolerance: Occasional exposure to moderate noise levels and physical activity.
- ⚠️ Safety Awareness: Minimal exposure to workplace or environmental hazards—must adhere to all safety protocols.
What are the Benefits*?
- 💰 Competitive Pay: Earn competitive compensation and bonus pay opportunity with regular opportunities for performance-based increases.
- 🚀 Career Growth: Access professional development and advancement opportunities to help you grow with us.
- 🩺 Health Benefits from Day One: Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starts on your first day.
- 🌴 Time to Recharge: Start accruing paid time off immediately—because work-life balance matters.
- 💼 401(k) with Company Match: We’ll match up to 4% to help you plan for your future.
- 🎓 Tuition Reimbursement: Eligible after 6 months of employment—learn, grow, and get support along the way.
- 🛒 Wayfair Employee Discount: Save big on the pieces you love—plus get 10% off at our in-store restaurant 🍽️.
- 👶 Parental Leave Options: Choose from paid and unpaid leave plans to support your growing family.
- ✨ And So Much More: We’ve got more good stuff where that came from! Our full-time roles receive the full benefits package, while part-time or seasonal team members may have modified offerings. Your recruiter or in-store team can help with any questions!
