Surviving (and Thriving) in the 2025 Tariff Era: Why Designers Need Community Now

If you work in design, you’ve probably felt it already: 2025 isn’t going easy on your sourcing or your bottom line. With a sweeping 10% universal tariff on imports and fresh country-specific tariffs layered on top, interior designers across North America are bracing for some of the biggest pricing challenges in years.

Analysts predict furniture costs will spike 20–30% in the coming months. That Italian sofa you spec’d for your last project? It just got a price tag to match its looks. Those artisan fixtures you love from Europe? Plan to tack on another 25%—if you can even get them shipped.

It’s a storm. And yet, some designers aren’t just surviving—they’re finding ways to thrive.

Turning Tariffs Into Opportunity

What’s their secret? They aren’t going at it alone.

Solo operators are scrambling, but designers who lean into community are finding better solutions, faster. At Vacation Rental Designers (VRD), we’ve seen how powerful it is when creative professionals work together. Instead of panicking, our members are using their collective influence to soften the blow—and even uncover new opportunities as the market shifts.

How VRD Members Are Navigating the Tariff Turbulence

• Exclusive Brand Partnerships: VRD members get “insider” deals—think trade-only pricing and stocking dealer discounts that help offset those tariff hikes. When you’re sourcing at the lowest possible tier, price jumps hurt a lot less.
  

• Sourcing Smarter, Together: Our network is a goldmine for domestic supplier tips and new U.S.-made brands. Members share their go-to sources for quality alternatives that keep projects on budget and clients happy—even as global options get pricier or harder to find.
  

• Collective Buying Power: There’s truth to the saying: there’s strength in numbers. When hundreds of designers pool their purchasing, manufacturers listen. We’re working with partners to secure special promotions and creative bulk deals that single designers just can’t get.
  

• Staying Ahead of the Curve: Tariffs and regulations are shifting fast. VRD keeps members updated with the latest news, peer insights, and real-world advice—so you can pivot and adapt instead of getting blindsided.

Why Community Is the Ultimate Asset for Designers in 2025

The era of the singular designer is fading. In this market, it’s not just about what you know—it’s about who’s got your back. The designers turning challenges into wins are the ones who:

• Build real industry connections

• Leverage group buying power

• Share knowledge and trends in real time

• Stay nimble, sourcing alternatives quickly

Tariffs aren’t going away, but neither is the power of a strong network. If you’re ready to protect your profits, keep projects moving, and grow your business, now’s the time to get connected.

Ready to See What VRD Can Do for You?

Join us. Come for the savings (which matter more than ever right now), but stay for the community that will help your business not just survive, but thrive—tariffs or no tariffs.

Because when the market gets stormy, it’s good to have a strong crew on your side.