How to become an interior decorator

How to become an Interior Decorator

Unlike interior designers, who typically require formal education and licensing, interior decorators generally have more flexibility when it comes to their educational background. While formal training can be beneficial, interior decorating is a field where creativity, practical experience, and a keen eye for design are highly valued. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

High School Diploma or Equivalent
A high school diploma or its equivalent is usually the minimum educational requirement for pursuing a career as an interior decorator. As you earn your high school diploma, start preparing for a career in interior decorating by looking for inspiration in everything, including books, magazines, the internet, and store displays.

Practise your math skills – because they will be useful in understanding measurements, which are part of the interior decorator’s work.

Certificate Program
Many vocational schools and community colleges offer certificate programs in interior decorating. These programs cover design principles, color theory, space planning, and materials selection. Certificate programs can be completed in a few months to a year and provide a basic level of education in the field.

Associate Degree in Interior Design
As associate degrees in interior decorating are rare, some aspiring interior decorators may choose to pursue an associate degree in interior design. The first-year interior design curriculum generally covers the fundamentals of design and basic skills in both hand drawing and digital drawing. The focus of the second year is typically on more specialized topics such as architectural lighting, color theory, furniture history, and introductory business and marketing concepts.

Common coursework and target skills include the following:

Modern Architecture & Design
A review of designs of the last two centuries, highlighting the emergence of specific design theory and stylistic elements; traces modernization of style back to origins

• Foundational knowledge in design history and different styles
• Ability to adapt past designs for present and future use
• Understanding of the connections between interior and exterior design

History of Building Types
An overview of how specific purpose-built spaces have evolved over time; examples often include corporate spaces, museums, hotels, hospitals, government buildings

• Recognition of the evolution of common spaces
• Grasp of what has and has not worked in past designs
• Framework for understanding modernization of existing buildings

Color Theory
The cultural, social, and psychological implications of color use; the effects of color, including productivity and tranquility; examination of varied theories, optical illusions, the Bezold Effect (how our perception of a color is affected by its surrounding colors), and contrasts

• Awareness of how colors affect the human brain, moods, and emotions
• Guidelines for use of colors in particular spaces

Drawing
Various drawing techniques and how to translate an idea into a reality by hand or using digital drawing practices and tools

• Familiarity with multiple drawing techniques
• Architectural drafting and digital drawing software skills, including computer-aided design (AutoCAD), - SketchUp, Revit, and 3D rendering tools

Self-Study and Online Courses
While not formal education, aspiring interior decorators can learn independently through self-study and online courses. There are numerous resources available online, including tutorials, webinars, and workshops, that cover various aspects of interior decorating.

Practical Experience
Gaining relevant hands-on experience is crucial in the field of interior decorating. Look for opportunities with interior design firms, home décor stores, or staging companies to intern or work as an assistant with established interior decorators. This practical experience will expose you to real-world projects, industry practices, and client interactions, and will help you determine the area of interior decorating that interests you the most – residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, or another specialization such as event design.

Build an Online Portfolio
A well-curated online portfolio that showcases your credentials, vision, and best work is crucial to your success as an interior decorator. Include a variety of décor projects to demonstrate your abilities to work on different scales, in both residential and commercial sectors, and in different design styles.

Start Your Own Business or Seek Employment
Decide whether you want to work for an established design or décor firm, start your own business, or work as a freelancer. Each option has its own pros and cons. Starting your own business requires additional skills in traditional and social media marketing, project management, and business development.

Certifications and Professional Organizations
The Certified Interior Decorators (C.I.D.) credential, offered by Certified Interior Decorators International, is designed for decorators and interior designers. To earn this certification, candidates must pass an exam that assesses their knowledge and skills in areas such as design principles, color theory, space planning, and materials selection. The following is a summary of the C.I.D. certification curriculum:

• Floor Planning and Furniture Placement – function space, floor planning, elevations
• Furniture Styles and Trade Showrooms – history of furniture and architectural styles, custom furniture and cabinetry, furniture selection, furniture showrooms to the trade
• Choosing Color Schemes – color trends, the color wheel, color terms, psychology of color, regional colors, color distribution
• Wall Coverings and Window Treatments – wall coverings and finishes, window treatments, bedspreads
• Lighting, Flooring, and Fabric Choices – lighting, flooring, fabrics, presentation board
• Plants, Pictures, and Accessories – pots and plants, artwork prints, wall groupings, decorative accessories
• Consulting / Fees and Compensation – consulting basics, compensation methods, business startup
• The Interior Decorator’s Role – decorator or designer: the difference, what an interior decorator can do, avoiding liabilities and legal problems, being a certified interior decorator

Other professional decorating and staging credentials include:

• Home Staging and Redesign Professional (HSRP) certification – offered by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)
• Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) certification – offered by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP)

The following organizations serve the wider interior design and decorating community, offering resources, conferences, tradeshows, exhibitions, workshops, and summits which provide members with continuing education and networking opportunities:

• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
• Interior Design Society (IDS)
• National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
• Designers Guild
• Designer Society of America
• British Institute of Interior Design (BIID)
• Society of British and International Design (SBID)
• Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC)