Tips on Becoming an Interior Designer

4 tips for your professional success in interior design

I have a girl friend that always set up any room, with limited supplies, in a gorgeous state. You’d be stunned at what she could do with a patterned rug, a few framed photos, and a window treatment. And she always got style compliments regarding the way her own house was decorated. It’s no surprise that this same friend of mine is now a very successful interior designer!

A career as an interior designer is more than using expensive décor to make a room look gorgeous and creative. A good interior designer must have an eye for seeing:

• How a room fits together
• What elements don’t fit or are in contrast and need to be altered
• A instinctive flare for marrying style with functionality
• An out of the box view on beauty and fresh, new ideas

 If you’re interested in pursuing a career in interior design, here are some helpful tips to get you started…

1. Get your degree or certification in interior design

Even though a degree doesn’t trump talent and it’s really not a must, if you wish to start your own company, a professional degree in interior design will compliment your existing talent, as well as tell your clients that you are creative as well as educated to run a business. Let’s face it; even if you have a natural talent earning your degree puts you around others with the same interests as yourself so you can:

• Meet other industry professionals
• Open your mind up to new ideas
• Learn the roots of design as well as the hottest designing trends
• And get job connections at successful designing firms

2. Become familiar with the tools of your trade

Being an interior designer is about learning the tools of your trade—beyond what meets the eye! When you decorate a home, part of the success will be determined on more than just style, it’s the materials that you use, how well they fit together, if they are safe (i.e., is the carpeting you use flammable, are the plumbing fixtures prone to wear and tear, are the curtains suitable for the climate conditions), and most importantly, are they functional for the house and family living within?

3. Practice makes perfect

You have to earn your chops as an interior designer just like in any other field, and that will mean volunteering yourself for unpaid intern and apprenticeships—even if they pay nothing, they will offer you practical experience and the opportunity to work and learn from other professionals.

4. Create a professional portfolio

In the world of interior design your success will depend on two things:

• Your contacts
• And your professional portfolio

That’s why working as an unpaid intern or assistant at a design firm will give you the chance to work alongside already established professionals and help you grow your portfolio and your contacts.