Request information from any of the schools offering interior design programs below, organized by location...
Interior designers do more than just organize furniture. They plan and create safe, aesthetically pleasing, and functional spaces ranging from homes and offices to hotel lobbies and government agencies. It takes computer skills and a creative and artistic eye to get ahead as an interior designer. In addition, interior designers need the proper education, which usually consists of a degree from an accredited interior design program.
Interior designers work with walls, floors, furniture, fabric, lighting, and accessories—in fact, anything inside a space. They may decorate homes, offices, or commercial interiors. Interior designers combine practical knowledge of materials with an artistic and creative ability to design attractive and comfortable spaces. An interior designer must have a strong business sense and an excellent ability to communicate with clients, builders, suppliers, and architects.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for interior decorators averaged $40,670 in 2004. Depending on their specialties, skills, and locations, interior decorators can earn much more than the average. Designers with degrees in interior decorating are more likely to do well in the career than those without formal training. Interior decorating programs offer certificates (one year), associate’s degrees (two years), bachelor’s degrees (four years), and master’s degrees (two years post bachelor’s). Passing the National Conference of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) exam is essential to a successful career.
Online directories can help you find the right interior decorating school for your education. When researching schools, consider:
Quality of the faculty
Average class size
School’s reputation or ranking
Type of jobs graduates find
Location
Costs
Options for online classes
Whether the program prepares students to take the NCIDQ exam
Interior decorators may specialize in any number of design areas, and coursework varies according to specialization. Basic courses cover lighting, color, design, drawing, materials, and architectural concepts.
If you are both creative and practical and like working with people, interior decorating may be just the career for you.
