For some, finding a career that supports a creative brain and an organized, entrepreneurial spirit is a challenge. But that’s where a career in interior design is perfect. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to become an interior designer—what they do, how long it takes to become one, plus salary expectations, and tips for success.
What does an interior designer do?
An interior designer creates safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces through layout and design. This includes selecting finishes, managing design timelines, and blending beauty with practical needs like accessibility and building codes to deliver for clients.
Interior designers work with a range of clients, from individual homeowners to commercial businesses, to develop and deliver on plans built with CAS software. They also coordinate with contractors around paint, lighting, furniture, and more to bring agreed-upon designs to life.
Everything from electrical layouts to flooring designs needs to align with regulations and the overall vision. Key responsibilities for interior designers include:
- Client meetings and consultation: Designers must understand clients’ must-haves, budgets, vision, and project timelines.
- Interior planning: Before the work can begin, interior designers must determine space use, create layouts, and meticulously plan traffic flow.
- Design work: This process involves sketching plans, creating presentations with renderings and mood boards, and selecting colors, furnishings, and materials.
- Draft technical documentation: Interior designers create detailed drawings, including partition, plumbing, and electrical plans. In this process, they must ensure their designs meet local building code regulations.
- Project management: Interior designers need to estimate costs, develop timelines, order materials, and oversee each installation.
- Continuous collaboration: Designers must work with engineers, architects, and contractors, such as plumbers and electricians, to ensure everything is implemented correctly and to the client’s satisfaction.
How long does it take to become an interior designer?
Interior design is one of those careers with many potential pathways. Some choose a degree program, and some prefer a smaller diploma or certificate. The shortest (and least common) route takes at least two years to become an interior designer with a certificate of study.
If students choose to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam after their associate degree, they must have 3 years of full-time work experience in addition to their studies. If they go for a four-year bachelor’s degree, students need only two years of experience to qualify for the exam. The typical pathway takes roughly five to six years of formal education and on-the-job learning.
Steps to become an interior designer
1. Choose an accredited program
Selecting an accredited program is important for earning industry recognition and building a strong foundation for a long, thriving career. When shopping around for the right school, consider future specializations, time commitment, and accessibility. Also bear in mind these:
- Curriculum: Review the program syllabus and make sure it’s up to date with current industry trends and tech advancements. That, with a balance of foundational concepts, will be more likely to offer a well-rounded, practical skillset.
- Flexibility and duration: The course length and schedule should align with your personal lifestyle and commitments, as well as the depth of education you desire.
- Financial aid and total costs: The course’s affordability will be a major factor when shopping for schools. Determine what kind of financial assistance options are available, if needed, and what payment plans may look like for the most stress-free learning experience.
- Reputation and alumni success: Check out the school’s online reviews and testimonials, including what alumni say about the programs. Make a point to attend information sessions for a closer look at what the school has to offer.
2. Build a portfolio
Once your schooling is completed, the next step on the roadmap is to start building your portfolio. New designers will curate portfolios that showcase their proficiency and unique style developed during their studies. They should incorporate projects completed in their personal time and while in school.
3. Gain work experience
The next step is to gain some real-world experience. This could look like an internship, temporary position, or mentorship program, helping students translate their education and theoretical knowledge into practical expertise. Projects completed through this work experience period should be added to the already-established portfolio.
4. Specialize
Once the work experience is gained, it’s time to consider specializing. Niche specialty areas give new interior designers a competitive edge in the growing market, and may include sustainability, color consultations, Feng Shui, lighting, and more. Some designers also specialize in a particular industry, such as hotel design, institutional design, corporate interior design, or set design.
5. Kick off continued education
The interior design field is rapidly evolving, and webinars, workshops, and bootcamps from different institutions help designers keep up with the latest trends and techniques.
The last step is a constant one and could be introduced as early as when building a portfolio. It’s networking, and designers must forge connections with industry peers and businesses to open doors for new opportunities and clientele.
How much does an interior designer make?
On average, American interior designers make $72,849 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. On the low end, accounting for just 2% of jobs, designers make $30.5k per year, and on the high end, also accounting for 2% of jobs, they make $107.5k per year.
The more experience and the more impressive the designer’s portfolio, the more they typically earn. Those who choose to specialize or lead a group of designers at a larger corporation will also earn more than the average individual designer. And of course, the average pay range for an interior designer varies widely by location. Those in higher-cost-of-living areas will generally earn more than those in lower-cost-of-living areas.
Tips for success as an interior designer in the US
To be successful as an interior designer, you have to put in the work—but it’s not just design talent. A strong business acumen is equally important. And because it’s a people-first profession, the warmer, more collaborative, and professional a designer is, the more quickly they’ll see success.
Four core areas of success to absolutely keep in mind include:
- Business acumen: Interior designers need to treat their practice like their own business. Learning marketing, finance, contracts, strategic planning, and simple growth strategies goes a long way.
- Technical proficiency: Knowing the ins and outs of the latest software and understanding local building codes and regulations will give designers a competitive edge.
- Problem-solving: A sharp eye for detail and the ability to visualize the end product will help any designer bring a client’s pain or a new vision to life.
- Project management: Staying organized, managing budgets, tracking time, and juggling several deadlines are all in a day’s work for any designer.
Is interior design a good career?
If you’re creative, passionate about transforming spaces to be beautiful and functional, and never shy away from a challenge, a career as an interior designer would be perfect for you. The career has a slow build to rewarding, high-earning potential, especially for those who specialize, but it comes with long hours and many client demands.
Interior design provides creative fulfillment, and designers have a choice among many paths, including freelancing, sales, and larger firms. Those who choose this career can expect to keep up with the latest tech, like smart homes, and evolving design trends like sustainability. For creatives who like to work hard and stay current, it’s the perfect choice.
As far as challenges go, interior designers can run into stressful and demanding environments. Project management and deadline balancing are tricky, clients can be difficult to manage, and construction setbacks could lead to 60+ hour workweeks. This career may also not be right for you if a slow grind to financial success is an issue, or if you already struggle with income instability. Lastly, the competition can be tough, so if you’re less than inclined to fight for positions and client business, you might have a tough time in the field.
Final thoughts
Interior design is a field that combines creativity, business acumen, organization, and an entrepreneurial spirit. If you’re passionate about your creative eye, and a slow build of 5 or 6 years is no problem, you could be looking at many years of job security and financial success. Construction demand, especially on the commercial side, is showing no signs of slowing, which means the US needs more designers to raise their hands and bring innovative visions to life.
If you enjoyed this how-to guide for interior design, you may also enjoy:
- How to become an electrical engineer in the U.S. (steps, salary, careers)
- How to become a construction safety officer: Salary, steps, and career outlook
- How to become a civil engineer: Degree, licensing, & salary
- How to become a carpenter in the US: Steps, salary, and training
- How to become a land surveyor in the U.S (salary included)
For more career-focused content like this, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.
