10 Things You Should Know About Becoming an Interior Designer

An interior designer must serve many functions. Is it the right role for you? Image Source: 27 Diamonds



Are you always receiving compliments on your interior design taste? Do you love decorating rooms and arranging furniture? If you answered yes to these questions, then maybe a career in interior design is right for you.

Before you make a life-altering career choice, there are some things you should know about the design world. Interior designers face challenges every day; some of these may not appeal to you, while others may excite you and open doors to a career that you never thought was possible.

Read on to learn the 10 things you should know before becoming an interior designer.

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Interior designers understand color, textiles and spatial arrangements. Image Source: Elements of Style

1. There Is a Difference Between Decorators and Designers

What’s the difference between interior decorators and interior designers? In one word: education.

Literally anyone can become an interior decorator. Someone who loves playing with colors, fabrics and textiles can become a decorator by simply printing business cards and promoting themselves to clients. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but educational background is also important.

On the other hand, an interior designer must have an accredited education; an associate or bachelor’s degree is a requisite for working in the interior design field. Do you want to pursue an education, or jump immediately into the decorating world? Keep reading to see if interior design could be the right fit for you.

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Do you have the insight and talent that it takes to become a designer? Image Source: Grace Home Design

2. You Must Have a Knack for Design

It may seem obvious, but in order to become an interior designer, you need to have an innate flair for color, spatial arrangements, architecture and textiles. Do you enjoy decorating your home and get lots of compliments on your decor? That doesn’t necessarily mean you should be an interior designer, but it’s certainly a good sign.

The first step to a successful career is to follow your passion. After all, doing something you love will never feel like work. Take this fun quiz to see which field you should consider majoring in. Is a career in interior design in your future?

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There is more to interior design than looking at fabric and paint swatches. Image Source: FD Photo

3. Interior Design Isn’t All Fabric and Fun

While fabrics, furniture and color may play a large role in interior design, there are plenty of other tasks that are required of interior designers — many of which may seem less like fun and more like work.

Interior designers need to be educated in the history of design, the structural integrity of buildings, building codes, ergonomics, spatial concepts, ethics, psychology, computer-aided drawing (CAD) and much more.

It might seem that interior designers are expected to be Jacks (or Jills) of all trades, doesn’t it? This broad range of skills is required because designers work with not only homeowners, but also builders, architects, government agencies and business owners. To become a successful interior designer, one needs to be educated and well-rounded.

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Educated designers who stay on top of trends tend to make the most money. Image Source: IBI designs

4. The Salary Isn’t as High as You Think

Show me the money! After all, shouldn’t someone with such a vast education get paid well? It depends. Statistics show that the median salary of an entry-level interior designer in the U.S. is $42,380 per year.

Of course, this depends on a lot of factors, such as education, location, work experience and size of the firm/company. An interior designer at a furniture company will most likely make less than a designer who works for a high-end architectural firm.

Essentially, you can dictate your rate of pay by gaining as much exposure and experience as possible. Someone with education in the fields of architecture, building codes/laws and structural design will more likely become financially successful.

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Expect to deal with all sorts of different personalities as an interior designer. Image Source: Platinum Series Homes

5. You Need to Be a People Person

Ask interior designers to share their experiences, and they will surely relate some horror stories of past clients. People are finicky, especially when it comes to their homes. While some clients have clear goals in mind, others may think they know what they want only to discover that they hate the final product and are dissatisfied with your work.

A successful interior designer is a people pleaser and a mitigator (and sometimes a mind reader) — someone who can steer clients toward a favorable outcome while making them feel they are in full control of the design choices. Interior designers are constantly balancing their design decisions and their clients’ desires. It’s not a cakewalk, to say the least.

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A portfolio that showcases your projects is key to landing jobs. Image Source: Greg Natale

6. You Need to Develop a Portfolio

A picture says a thousand words, and this is definitely true when it comes to an interior designer’s portfolio. You can talk all day long about colors and textiles, but unless you have an outstanding portfolio that showcases your designs and projects, your successes will be few and far between.

If you are just coming out of school and are new to the job market, it may be necessary to offer your services for free or at a reduced rate. This is probably the best way to get a portfolio started; it’s also a great way to get to know local merchandisers and suppliers, and develop a rapport for future projects.

Everybody starts at the bottom. With some effort, experience and proper marketing, you can become a successful force in the interior design field.

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Competition is fierce in the design world, so you need to stay on top of all the trends. Image Source: Brizo

7. Competition Is Fierce in Interior Design

Interior design is a competitive business. The key to success is getting yourself noticed. As mentioned above, an amazing designer portfolio will certainly help you land jobs.

Another important factor is acquiring an extensive education. The more you know, the better off you will be. Consider looking toward future trends such as population growth, designing for the elderly, modern architecture and green design; education within these specific fields of design will give you the upper hand in the job market.

It is also a good idea to stay abreast of design trends by reading design publications and websites such as Freshome, communicating with fellow designers and following a mentor. When competition is high, you need to work hard in order to get noticed and rise to the top.

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Interior designers can telecommute, thanks to virtual room-planning tools. Image Source: M Architecture

8. Virtual Designers Have an Opportunity

When people hire an interior designer, they may not realize that they can actually hire from anywhere in the world. Yes, designers can telecommute, too! Thanks to technological innovations such as Skype and design software, designers are discovering a whole new world of virtual design.

Although several free online virtual room design tools available to the general public, interior designers have an edge on this competition thanks to their exclusive relationships with elite design lines. Several high-end textile companies offer discounts to designers working in the trade, thereby allowing them to get their clients the best prices.

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Designers need to stay abreast of local plumbing and electrical codes. Image Source: Visible Proof

9. Designers Must Know Local Laws and Codes

This is where would-be designers may opt to avoid the education and become decorators, thereby avoiding some of the doldrum of learning building codes and local laws.

Some of the details can certainly be boring, but they are required knowledge for interior designers. Learning about plumbing codes, electricity and load-bearing walls may not excite you, but it is required. Staying abreast of such things gives interior designers an advantage and marketability that decorators simply do not have.

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Designers have to work with clients whose style choices may not match their own. Image Source: Regas Interiors

10. It’s Not About Your Style, It’s About Theirs

While designers can offer their clients a wide range of design styles to choose from, it is important to remember that it is up to the clients to choose what style suits them best.

Just because designers are educated and have good taste does not make their choices superior to their clients. The interior designer’s job is to offer a variety of styles and direct the client toward the right design choice while allowing the client to feel in charge.

For example, you may work as an interior designer for years and never design a house that suits your personal tastes. It is all about the clients’ style — and you must put your own aside.

After reading all the pros and cons of becoming an interior designer, do you think it’s one you’d like to pursue? If you’re considering interior design as a career, then remember all 10 of the things mentioned above. The field may be competitive, but with a little hard work and a stellar portfolio, you can become a successful interior designer.

Spectacular Modern House With Courtyard Swimming Pool

Lush gardens, sleek design, open windows — this home is a slice of paradise. This modern take by Ayutt and Associates on the traditional Thai home incorporates nature into every bit of the home it possibly can. The 1,500 square meter villa just outside of Bangkok is practically held up by floor to ceiling windows which perfectly frame the modern yet traditional courtyard filled with trees, lush jungle plants, and a pool. The windows not only bring the beautiful colors of the outdoors into the nearly all white space, but it allows for that tropical breeze to slither through the house and move all that hot humid air. So take a tour, imagine a cold tropical drink in your hand while you do it, and enjoy all this luxury tropical oasis has to offer.

1 |Pack your bags, you’re moving in! Kidding — but after you see this incredible layout, how each window frames a beautiful view, and the stunning materials used within this home, we guarantee you’ll be on a flight to Bangkok. From here, you can see those massive windows which take advantage of this dream back yard.


2 |In the daylight you can see how all these crisp lines and colors play wonderfully against one another. The red on the right pops against the pools turquoise tilesand really helps drawer eye up to the white windows in the center.








3 |This living space is not only spacious, but completely open to the outdoors. The sliding windows allow for this hybrid indoor-outdoor space which is very typical of Chinese and Thai homes. It adds a bit of drama, whimsy, and takes away from some of the stark modern elements of the living space.


4 |Look at all that shining sunlight! The light is reflecting off the pool and moving straight into the living room, illuminating the space with warm natural sunlight and bringing the greenery right in. The open floor plan is framed by these views, acting almost as a centerpiece or accent wall as it would in any other home.


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Architect: Ayutt and AssociatesAt this angle you can also see how crisp and white the space is. There’s no need for a lot of color because those big beautiful windows (open or closed) bring in all the colors of the outdoors.


6 |The way the rays filter through the tree branches and leave a pattern on the white couch and floor is a perfect example of why all this white works. The white doesn’t distract from the beauty of the outdoors, and literally allows for nature to creep right into the space without overwhelming the rest of the design.


7 |Living in a warm place that allowed the windows to be open all year is a dream in itself. Let alone this incredible courtyard which plays on traditional Chinese home design methods while incorporating modern luxuries. Having these big windows on both sides of the living space lets you see right through to the other side of the home, and integrates the indoors with the outdoors perfectly.


8 |These seemingly floating stairs are magical! Not only is the wood spectacular, but from the top if looks like you can just run and jump straight into the courtyard pool.








9 |This view makes you feel like you’re in a treehouse, looking out amongst the treetops. Really it’s just your courtyard, but in this house it sure does feel like a kingdom.


10 |Wouldn’t you love to take a steam in that shower? This bathroom is the epitome of luxury, and makes you feel like you’re taking an outdoor bath without all the inconveniences. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind.


11 |The deck in the courtyard is stunning. The red accents the blue pool wonderfully, and the cutouts along it’s edges for plants like that tree are seamless.


12 |Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the views this home has to offer. At night the entire home lights up with an iridescent white and illuminates the pool and all those lush plants.


13 |Of course, if you’re living in a villa like this one you need a space to park your beautiful cars. Well, this carpark is the ultimate place. The design of the rest of the home is incorporated here with glass and slick tiles.


14 |Admire your ride from the living room. If you have a house this nice, full length windows to sneak a few peaks at your car is definitely a luxury you’d enjoy.


15 |The front of the home is much darker than the back, but all that natural stone — despite all the harsh lines — makes it look like it’s emerged from the rock-bed beneath all that lush jungle.


16 |Day or night the stunningly harsh angles of this home stick out against the sky — while still reflecting it’s colors.


17 |Lining the entrance to your home with plants is a wonderful way to make everyone feel invited. Plus in this place, the plants bring the surrounding jungle right up to the door, hinting at the magic that lays on the other side.


18 |From above you can see how carefully constructed this entire home was. Each detail was very thought out, and they really tried to maximize how they could bring the outdoors in.


19 |From here you can see more of the detailed design plans to this dreamy home.


20 |Here you can see more of the detailed layout of this dream tropical home.


21 |Check out this 3D rendition where you can see the entire structure and what went into it.

3 Small Spaces Packed With Big Style (Includes Floor Plans)

Just because your space isn't big, doesn't mean it can't be packed with style. But having an eye for design and organization is a tricky skill to master. It's a balance between both space and storage, and color and design. And what may be right for one space, isn't necessarily the solution for another.So, take a look at the designs of these architects and designers who have come up with insanely creative and beautiful solutions for small living. Whether you're in a small city apartment, a dorm room, or a new flat, you'll be sure to incorporate some of these ideas in your own home.

















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Visualizer: Anton Zaytsev


Looking at this apartment from this angle, it’s hard to believe it’s only 30 meters. The sleek lines and glass walls make this space feel much larger than it actually is.







This space triples as an office, living room, and bedroom. But the large windows and glass wall into the kitchen help this otherwise tiny space feel spacious.



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White is the main color in this space, it helps the apartment feel bigger and it looks beautiful with the airy architecture.





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Separating the kitchen and living space with tiles, and warm wood helps define the small space. The warm wooded living space also makes that part of the flat feel less stark, and more livable.





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The kitchen table can also double as an island, and provides much needed eating space in this kitchen.





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White may be the main color of this space, but it feels anything but stark. The textured cabinets, and stone tiles add an organic element to the space and keep your eye moving.





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Small but functional is the name of the game for this stylish yet tiny space.





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While this room may be multipurpose, everything has it’s space. The bedroom is brilliantly separated from the living space by the warm wooded walls and frame that bolster it up.





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And look at that! Those gorgeous wooden walls extend around the front of the bed to add privacy when needed.





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When fully closed you won’t even know an entire bedroom is on the other side. Instead it looks like a lovely accent wall, or even a closet.





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The wood walls of the bedroom don’t match the wooden floors in the living space, but that’s okay. The warm wood of the bedroom against the cool wooden floors provides a wonderful contrast and separates the spaces from one another.





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Even with the bedroom doors pulled shut the living space feels spacious.





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This overhead view of the apartment reminds you just how small it is! But the designers and architects have truly thought of everything, and found a way to make this space effortlessly stylish and functional.





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The bathroom mirrors the rest of the space, small functional, white, and beautiful. Everything has a place and enough space so you don’t feel cramped.





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Once again, seeing the layout really shows you how they’ve maximized the space here.





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Visualizer: Sergey Hrabrovsky



This apartment is functional, colorful, and filled with hidden treasures. Firstly take a look at this creative desk space on the right, and how it effortlessly transforms into a kitchen eating space on the right. It’s a great solution that looks beautiful.





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This white couch pops against this luxurious suede wall and that bright rug. The mix of colors and textures really adds dimension to this small space without making it feel busy.





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This black matte cabinet is tall, sleek, and fits the space wonderfully.





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Woah! What’s that? A washing machine? Bet you didn’t think that fabulous cabinet held that treat inside.





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The kitchen counter has a small cutout for fresh plans built right in. A wonderful solution to grow some of your own herbs without taking up extra space in the apartment.





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This small space comes equipped with a nice big foyer — what a luxury!





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Dab a bit of your favorite perfume before you leave, or kick off your shoes after a long day in this functional and elegant boudoir nook in the foyer.





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Visualizer: Taleh Mehdisoy



The glass wall between the kitchen and the living room lets some of that fabulous light into the kitchen space, but it also adds a sense of separation.





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The kitchen is quite big for this tiny space! They’ve played it up with some beautiful marble tiles in a unique pattern, and accented the lower white cabinets with some warm wooded ones up top, drawing your eye upwards and making the space feel much bigger than it actually is.





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The layout highlights how they’ve utilized every nook and cranny to make this space functional.





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Visualizer: BURO ROOMDESIGN



This apartment may be tiny, but it’s packed with innovation. These incredible walls let the tenant hang everything from shelves to artwork quickly, easily, and without damaging any walls. Best yet, they’re super light, eco friendly, and made in their native Russia.





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Just because these panels are white doesn’t mean they’re boring! Even without hanging things from the holes, the walls add texture to the rest of the space.