Why should I learn interior design?

An education in interior design can prepare you to work with a design firm, start your own design business, or work for a company that consistently needs design services. Because spaces' functional goals and design trends change, interior designers will always be needed to help individuals and companies.

How long does it take to learn interior design?

Through tailored courses, aspects of interior design can be learned in a few weeks to a few months. Earning a bachelor's degree in interior design takes an average of four years. However, learning never stops in the field of interior design as trends are constantly changing. Your experience will grow over time on the job.

How hard is it to learn interior design?

Learning interior design isn’t usually too difficult, but certain aspects can take time to master. For example, getting familiar with building codes, understanding the financial side of a project, and considering how cultural norms influence design requires experience. Some people also believe that having a natural eye for design can make a big difference in this field.

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Female interior designer showing a client fabric sample selections in a design studio.

What is interior design?

Interior design is the process of imagining, designing, and creating interior spaces that are functional, visually pleasing, and arranged to meet the needs of the people who will be utilizing them. Often, this requires creativity, an understanding of design trends, budgeting skills, and the ability to turn a client's dreams into a reality.

While some might believe all you need is an eye for design to get into the industry, formal training can help you develop additional skills to make you stand out to clients. Formal programs can help you build architectural skills and a knowledge base of individual design trends, cultural norms in design, and functional safety.

Popular job titles in interior design include production designer, kitchen and bath designer, interior designer, and design consultant.

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Choosing the right interior design program for you

The key to selecting the right interior design program begins with assessing your existing skills and identifying what is missing. Remember, interior design is not just about having raw talent; you'll need skills like functional design knowledge, expertise in communicating with clients and suppliers, competent budget management, and an understanding of building codes and regulations.

A degree program could be the right fit if you want a complete and well-rounded education. If you already possess many of the skills needed to become an interior designer, individual courses or certifications could help to fill in the gaps.

Below are several educational options worth considering.

Courses

Interior design courses allow you to focus on specific skills and design trends needed to succeed.

Certifications

Certifications in interior design not only help you build the necessary skills for this profession, but they can also demonstrate to clients your expertise to help build trust.

Executive education programs

Thanks to executive education programs, learning interior design doesn't have to monopolize your schedule, especially if you have an existing career.

Degrees

A degree program in interior design provides the most complete education available in this field and can truly prepare you for anything in the industry.

Jobs in interior design

Interior designers work with individuals and companies to transform interior spaces in many different contexts. An individual client might hire an interior designer to help decorate their new home. On the other hand, a company might hire an interior designer to transform a sales space to be more inviting and functional.

While there is a crossover in skills, interior designers and interior decorators have different jobs. An interior designer focuses on the layout and functionality of a space, whereas a decorator focuses solely on the space's decoration. Interior designers may decorate, but interior decorators are rarely called upon to design.

Some of the more popular jobs you can get with an education in interior design include interior designer, production designer, kitchen and bath designer, certified kitchen designer, furniture arranger, and home lighting advisor.

Below is a deeper look at several jobs you could get with an education in interior design, with salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).