DESIGN CONSULTANT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant

Company: Bassett Furniture

Location: Falls Church, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Retail Sales & Design Operations

Date Posted: July 28, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive revenue growth within a retail showroom environment by leveraging interior design expertise and consultative sales techniques.

• Cultivate and manage a robust client base through personalized design consultations and relationship-building initiatives.

• Master comprehensive product knowledge, design trends, and furniture construction to effectively guide customer selections.

• Execute comprehensive interior design services, including in-home consultations and virtual appointments, to transform customer spaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the core responsibilities and compensation structure (commission-based) clearly indicate this is a sales-focused role with a strong design component, rather than a pure design or operations role. The focus is on driving sales through design services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Engage customers to understand their design needs, lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences through active listening and probing questions.

• Develop, present, and effectively sell tailored product and design solutions that align with customer requirements and sales targets.

• Conduct in-depth interior design consultations, including in-home and virtual appointments, to create inspiring and functional living spaces.

• Build and nurture long-term customer relationships by providing exceptional service, follow-up, and personalized design support.

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of furniture construction, design trends, color theory, and texture coordination to offer expert advice.

• Utilize showroom resources and design tools to create compelling visual presentations and mood boards for clients.

• Collaborate with store management and team members to achieve overall store sales goals and contribute to a positive showroom environment.

• Drive personal sales performance to meet or exceed established commission-based sales targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of direct sales activities and design expertise. The inclusion of "relationship selling," "interior design consultations," and "makeovers" highlights a consultative sales approach focused on client needs and long-term engagement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory if equivalent experience is demonstrated.

Experience: 2-5 years of proven success in a sales-driven environment, preferably within retail, furniture, or interior design. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain customer relationships and achieve sales goals.

Required Skills:

• Passion for Interior Design: Genuine enthusiasm for home décor, color palettes, fabric textures, and current design trends.

• Sales Acumen: Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales quotas, with a strong understanding of consultative selling techniques.

• Client Relationship Management: Ability to build rapport, establish trust, and nurture long-term customer loyalty.

• Color and Texture Coordination: Strong aesthetic sense for discerning and harmonizing colors, patterns, and materials.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, active listening, and presentation abilities.

• Computer Proficiency: Competence in using CRM systems, design software (if applicable), and standard office productivity tools.

• Self-Motivation & Drive: Proactive approach to client outreach, lead generation, and personal sales performance.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to translate customer needs and desires into practical and aesthetically pleasing design solutions.

• Polished Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor, appearance, and positive attitude at all times.

Preferred Skills:

• Interior Design Certification: Formal training or certification in interior design from a recognized institution.

• Furniture Construction Knowledge: Understanding of furniture manufacturing processes, materials, and quality standards.

• Virtual Selling Skills: Experience conducting sales consultations and client engagements via video conferencing and digital platforms.

• CRM Software Proficiency: Familiarity with customer relationship management tools for tracking leads, clients, and sales activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests this role is ideal for individuals who have established foundational sales skills and are looking to specialize in a design-centric sales environment, potentially moving beyond entry-level retail positions.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Sales Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 examples of successful sales engagements, detailing the customer's initial needs, your proposed solutions, and the final outcome (including sales figures if possible).

• Design Project Examples: Present a curated selection of interior design projects, highlighting your ability to conceptualize and execute design plans, manage color palettes, and integrate furniture selections.

• Client Testimonials/References: Include any positive feedback or references from previous clients that attest to your customer service, design expertise, and sales effectiveness.

• Process Documentation (Conceptual): While not a formal operations role, demonstrating an understanding of how you manage client interactions, track leads, and follow through on sales cycles (e.g., a simple workflow diagram or description) can be beneficial.

Process Documentation:

• Client Engagement Workflow: Outline the typical steps you take from initial customer contact through consultation, design proposal, sale, and post-sale follow-up.

• Design Consultation Process: Describe your methodology for conducting consultations, including needs assessment, space planning, product selection, and presentation.

• Sales Cycle Management: Detail how you track potential clients, manage follow-ups, and nurture leads to conversion within a retail sales context.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a sales-focused role with a design component, a formal "Process & Systems Portfolio" as seen in pure operations roles is less critical. However, candidates should prepare to discuss their sales processes, client management strategies, and design methodologies. A portfolio demonstrating past design work and sales success is highly recommended.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The potential income for experienced Bassett Design Consultants averages $70,000-$105,000 per year, with top performers earning up to $135,000 annually. This is a commission-based compensation plan with opportunities for bonuses.

Benefits:

• Paid training program designed to build product knowledge, sales techniques, and design skills.

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision coverage.

• Disability insurance.

• Life Insurance.

• 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Tuition assistance for continued education.

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Generous Employee Discounts on Bassett Furniture products.

• Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art showroom environment.

• Potential for growth and advancement within the company.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. The role requires willingness to work weekends and holidays to accommodate customer availability and retail operations. Standard working hours will align with showroom operating schedules, typically around 40 hours per week, but may vary based on business needs and client appointments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($70k-$135k) is an estimate based on the job description's mention of average and top performer earnings. This is a commission-heavy role, meaning base salary might be minimal or non-existent, with the majority of income derived from sales performance. The estimate reflects total potential earnings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Furniture Retail & Manufacturing. Bassett Furniture is a long-standing American brand (founded in 1902) known for quality custom furniture, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative retail approaches.

Company Size: Bassett Furniture operates a network of company-owned and licensed stores, suggesting a medium-to-large enterprise structure with a significant retail