How to become an interior designer

Interior designers manage the entire design and decorative process for different types of internal spaces.

You’ll interpret clients’ requirements, create concept designs, and translate these designs into plans which convey spectacular, functional spaces.

Although there are no mandatory minimum qualifications to become an interior designer, it’s likely that you’ll need a degree in an appropriate subject to gain employment with a company, or to demonstrate your credibility with clients if you are planning to be self-employed.

Undergraduate degrees – a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design, interior architecture or spatial design will give you a good theoretical and practical background to start a career as an interior designer.

Postgraduate studies – as a more established interior designer, you might choose to complete a Masters degree in interior and spatial design, which will allow you to specialise in different design areas or work within different environments.

What does an interior designer do?

As an interior designer, you’ll meet clients to discuss their requirements and vision for their space, and then translate these aspirations into tangible designs and plans.

Interior design is as much about the functional aspects of spaces as it is about the aesthetic appeal, so you’ll need both technical and artistic skills. You’ll need an awareness of legislation around health and safety, planning and construction to ensure that your designs are compliant. If you’re project managing the delivery, you’ll also need to understand building regulations and manage inspections and approvals.

You’ll probably start with hand drawn sketches and mood boards, but your final designs are likely to include detailed specifications and plans on computer-aided design packages, which will help you to articulate your ideas at a detailed level, and manage contractors and suppliers, through the use of standardised documentation. On large projects, you’ll be working with architects, quantity surveyors and main contractors.

Your designs will need to show creativity and innovation around the use of colour, texture, materials and light. You’ll need an eye for detail, to ensure that your final designs are integrated and coherent and to ensure that contractors and suppliers deliver exactly the agreed specifications. You’ll need to visualise how people will use spaces to ensure an enriching, satisfying and safe experience. 

Typical activities within any interior design project will include:

• Using your artistic talent, vision and creativity to produce exciting designs
• Conducting client interviews and correctly documenting their vision in your plans
• Delivering detailed design plans and specifications on CAD systems
• Understanding current design trends and incorporating these in innovative ways
• Sourcing products such as furniture, fittings, lighting and decoration
• Project managing the physical delivery of the design and managing budgets
• Ensuring regulatory compliance with finished design deliverables
• Ensuring projects are delivered within agreed timescales and budgets
• Liaising with other professionals such as architects, quantity surveyors and main contractors

What are the typical working hours for an interior designer?

Regular 9 – 5 office hours will probably form the basis of your standard work pattern.

During busy periods and project delivery, expect to work longer hours - including evenings and weekends - aligned with client, supplier and contractor schedules.

Part-time hours are possible, within the constraints of onsite demands or if you’re self-employed and choose reduced working hours.