designer

sales representative

installer

design consultant

installation technician

Closets by Design

When I first joined the company, it was genuinely the best job I had ever had. For a long time, I felt supported and proud of the work we were doing. It was one of the few roles where I felt I was contibuting to something meaningful.

This is what makes this change in my experiences stand out so clearly to me.

As the company evolved, so did the way that decisions were made - and more importantly, how they were communicated. From my perspective, key decisions were often made in isolation and introduced after the fact, without any alignment with the people that were responsible for executing on them. The result wasn't just miscommunication - it created friction, slowed our progress, and gradually just eroded trust across the team.

There are also moments where trust and disrection felt inconsistent. In one instance, I had approached of member of leadership privately for guidance on manageing my time more effectively. Later, in a group setting, that same concern was brought up in a way that felt dismissive and exposed, rather than supportive. Situations like that made it difficult to seek feedback openly, and over time, created hesitiation around raising challenges that would have otherwise benefited from collaboration.

When the function responsible for trust, discretion, and employee advocacy contibutes to the erosion of those same values, it has a ripple effect throughout the entire organization.

Over time, it became increasingly unclear where decision were coming from and how they were being validated. That lack of transparency made it difficult to confidently execute, and even more difficult to raise concerns in a way that felt constructive or wanted.

At the same time, there appeared to be a concentration of inlfuence within certain functions of the business, especially those surrounding culture, without clear checks, balance, or visiblity into how deicisons were being guided. From my perspective, that combination - unclear role boundaries alongside centralized influence - made it increasingly difficult to operate with confidence.

From a leadership standpoint, my experience was that feedback didn't consistenly influence outcomes. While conversations could happen, it often felt like direction had already been set. That dynamic makes it challenging to contribute openly, and eventually leads to people diengaging rather than trying to push for change.

There had also been times where external solutions were introducd in place of using the existing strengths of the team. One example was the deicision to bring in outside sales training, despite having an experienced and capable sales group already in place. From my perspective, this came across less as support and more as a signal that internal expertise asn't being trusted. When those initiatives didn't produce meaningful change, there wasn't any follow up or acocuntability, which made it feel as though the effort was quitely moved past rather than evaluated and moved from.

Although I also believe that the intent behind leadership decisions is to move the business forward, in my experience, there were major gaps between intention and execution - particulary in people management, communication, and accountability - that made the environment increasingly difficult to operate in.

I want to be clear that my direct managers were not part of these challenges. They consistently showed up for the team - for me - supported where they could, and worked within in the constraints that were in front of them. In many ways, they were navigating the same lack of clarity that I was, from a different position.

What stands out most is that this wasn't always the case. There was a strong foundation here, built on good people and a genuine sense of purpose. That foundation still exists, but it feels overshadowed by the current structure and approach.

I'm grateful for the relationships I built and for everything I've learned during my time here. There are people in this organization that care deeply and want to see it succeed. My hope is that, over time, there's a shift toward clearer accountability, more tranparent decision-making, and a leadership approach that better supports the people doing the work.

I worked for this company for 2 years, making them over 1 million dollars in sales. But loyalty and hard work is not rewarded with this company. It’s a corporate run company, that likes to blame head office in California for its mistakes, faults and lack of resources and organization. Training is only 1 week long, and then you are thrown to the wolves. You will either sink or swim. The first 6 months of this job are tough to make a livable wage, due to there pay structure. I had to take out a loan to cover my rent and expenses during the first 5 months. After you have been there for 6 months you will start to see a more balanced pay. However, it is 100% sales and commission only. You can work 45+ hours a week and make $0 if you do not sell. The company doesn’t offer much support for its staff, and if you question productivity And procedures you’ll be blacklisted. They will run monthly promo incentives for the designers to earn extra cash, however, these promotions, heavily favoured the same few top designers each month. Leaving the rest of the 15+ team members feeling undervalued and unappreciative. It is an extreme amount of paperwork that is unavoidable due to the companies in ability to modernize its systems. Everything is done by hand, including drawings, pricing and contract and you’re not able to do it through a computer. They tell you they only give you certified lead appointments, but you very well could drive 45 minutes to someone’s home for them not to be there. You do not receive a cell phone or car allowance even though you’re expected to use your personal cell phone for all work related calls as well as your personal vehicle to travel every single day doing approximately 100 to 200 km a day. The sales manager spends more time sending threatening emails about sales performances, rather than encouragement, or offering advice/solutions to its team members that might be having a slow month. They are very big on their sales model that was created 40+ years ago and has not been changed since. They still believe that the people of today will spend thousands of dollars on a project in their home that is not a necessity, but a luxury right on the spot on the same day of the appointment. If you do not follow their specific SOS, you will be blacklisted as well even though their current SOS does not work in today’s society. There is a major lack of communication from the office to the designers on key information. Management will insult an individual if they feel that their overall appearance doesn’t match the companies ideals. The only pros that come from this job is the ability to pick and choose the days and times in which you want to work, however, there are limitations on how many days and which days you can work and not work. Because it is commission, you are not capped at a certain point in you’re earning potential. In my seven years of working within the design and sales industry I earned the most money at this job, not because the company made that happen, but because of my ability to connect with clients and close the deal. If you are not a strong sales person, you will not survive in this job for very long before you will be fired and replaced.

What did I learn here?  That if you are under middle age (50 ish) you are below par and not deserving of any respect.  This place is a revolving door with no security, no benefits, very low wages with very high expectations.  You get treated like a moron or at best a child and reprimanded when anything goes wrong or even when it doesn't!  The management is a joke. Only one person of the 3 ( yes this place is a lot smaller then they lead their clients to believe) has any sense of decency and unfortunately he isn't the one in control. Real talent is overlooked here and any sort of extra effort or drive to succeed is frowned upon.  Blame is placed on everybody who works here so that the "management" can have a clear conscience regarding their issues.  The only time you will ever get a raise is if you try to quit.. and considering they cannot keep any employees certain people do get raises under dire circumstances.  Flat out this place is degrading.  It is full of lies and disrespect.  The " GM" allows for abuse and mistreatment and is a person who dishes it out regularly herself but is too entitled to see how she effects people with her quips.   This place is going downhill.  The young people that management loathes and disrespects and makes feel inferior.. are the only reason this place is afloat. When they are all gone... so will be closet's By Design. If you want to keep any sense of self respect or dignity do not work here.  You will get paid nothing, blamed for everything and made to feel like you aren't capable of the most simple tasks.  On top of all that you wont make enough to feed your family.   BUT if you join a temp agency and get hired here you will! Its only permanent staff that are cheated out of everything.

**Workplace Review: A Disorganized and Frustrating Experience**

My experience at this company was incredibly unorganized and frustrating. From the start, it was clear that many people, including those in leadership positions, didn't really know what they were doing. Despite management's promises of support and guidance, there was little to no help provided to actually learn the necessary skills.

The training period was less than a week, which would have been fine if the training itself was effective. However, it was so poorly executed that even those with prior experience in interior design, like some of my fellow trainees, were left confused. The facilitators seemed as lost as the rest of us, making it nearly impossible to grasp the concepts we were supposed to learn.

The atmosphere with my co-workers was the only positive aspect of the job. They were cool and supportive, which made the day-to-day somewhat bearable. Unfortunately, the management's two-faced nature overshadowed this. They would say one thing but do another, failing to follow through on their promises and leaving employees in the lurch.

Overall, my experience was terrible. The lack of organization, inadequate training, and unreliable management made it a job I would not recommend to anyone. Save yourself the trouble and look elsewhere—this place is not worth your time.

As an ex-employee with a strong work ethic, I have never been more disappointed and let down by a company. The team at this company shows very little to no support for when their employees are out on the field working. You have one week of training in-person, then you are on your own navigating sales and design, travelling to customers homes with very little support. 

Your schedule is given to you sometimes less than 24hrs in advance, you are not given ANY information as to what job you are walking into, other than the customers name and address. They DO NOT qualify their leads and say yes to simply any phone call they receive. 

They train 60 people within a month and fire 95% of them, while keeping the commissions that you sold if you are let go. There is no time, effort or quality built-in to structuring a proficient team of employees helping them excel in the business. The team is incredibly unorganized, and they do not honour mistakes.

Training is basic. Your provided with forms and a plastic ruler. You supply a lap top, cell phone and all the apps required to do the job. Your appointments are assigned the day before and are not always confirmed. You drive for hours, complete paperwork for hours making drawings on graph paper but without a sale you get paid nothing. Your time and effort is of no value to Closets By Design. There is no room for advancement and no base salary. The company started in the US and still uses a US style of high pressure one call close mentality. Who spends several thousand dollars without comparison shopping ? I don’t know why anyone would work for a 100% commission based company. The franchise makes a great deal but in no way does the designer.
Don’t be fooled, pass this place by and look anywhere else.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Quitting might be very satisfying
Other than that I enjoy design and selling



What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Most everything. Training is brief and not nearly detailed enough. Stupid to have to design with a pencil and grid paper but use a computer program for pricing   Makes us look like idiots. Being required to sell in one visit is just nuts. Custom designed closets and offices are not vacuum cleaners. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Competitive and caustic under a veneer of sweet and sticky

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Drive - sell -drive -sell -drive. -get home and finish up paperwork - make the dreaded call to report sale or no sale. 
Not highly recommended

No job security and a minimum wage job. Income based on commission and paid in full 3 months after closing the sales. Monthly targets are not realistic and unattainable. In addition, when you leave, you lose the remaining 50% of your commission from your last 3 months’ sales.

You use your own transportation, pay for your own fuel and bear the risk of not closing the sales. If you do not make the sale, there is no reimbursement for your time and expenses.

Somehow, it can be a good learning experience. From basic negotiation and understanding of different type of people to closing sales.

If you are willing to take the chance and risk making minimum wage, have a car and ready to burn some fuel, then this might be a good job to start in sale.



Very behind technically - tons of paperwork, no actual tools for designers
Very short training and then expect you to do no wrong. Condescending and unprofessional. Not about developing their people.  Money is the number one goal. I started training with 3 people and we were all gone within 8 weeks. Owner is weird and doesn’t even meet his new hires - probably because there is so much turnover. Marketing tactics are misleading and unethical as well as their sales tactics. Biggest waste of my time. Best part was meeting nice clients until you felt like you were manipulating them with awful sales practices that you were told to do.

I loved working at Closets By Design Niagara for over 3 years, I was moving out of the country with my family to USA and our CEO helped me get a job in Closets by Design USA and gave me the continued financial security and my family felt really appreciated being a part of Closets By Design Family
I enjoyed my stay with Closets By Design Niagara the most due to the training and support that my manager and the company's owners provided for me to be successful

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Designer 30 salaries reported	$3,958 per month
Sales representative 3 salaries reported	$4,000 per month
Installer 13 salaries reported	$21.54 per hour
Design consultant 5 salaries reported	$65,000 per year
Installation technician 2 salaries reported	$24.25 per hour

Working at Closets by Design: company overview and reviews

Closets by Design

Closets by Design ratings

Popular jobs at Closets by Design

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected