So, you wanna be an interior designer? Well, get in line. In the words of Miranda Priestly, “Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us.” For those of you who think the job is all shopping, dramatic before and afters, and celebrity home tours, you may as well quit now. Design is a business. And this work takes a commitment to problem-solving, organized communication, and years of expertise to master. Still with me? Good. Let’s look at three ways to start an interior design career. 

 

Now, there are many types of designers, from commercial interior designers to stylists to decorators. For our purposes, I will refer to residential interior designers simply because that is the field I know. After all, expertise is best gained through experience. Now, let’s look at how to become an interior designer. 

Why Do You Want to Become an Interior Designer? 

Interior designer is a relatively new profession, but the role has risen to prominence because of just how much interior design affects us all. Elsie de Wolfe became the “first interior designer” when she was commissioned to decorate the interior of the Colony Club in New York City in 1905. (If you want to be in this field, you have to brush up on your design history.) 

 

Before the specialized skill of interior design became formally accepted, it was the architect’s job to help their clients outfit the interior. Today, it is hard to imagine a world without interior designers, as we see the career glamourized in glossy magazines, HGTV, and Instagram—all promoting aspirational interiors and the even more aspirational role of the designer. 

 

Over the last century, the interior design profession has become more formalized with organizations, licenses, and formal education. I am all for it. A desire to make a beautiful home is a natural one for many people, and it can easily be argued that the practice of creating comfortable spaces improves modern life to a great degree. While the media can portray the role of an interior designer as one of glamour and celebrity, it is truly a role of service. 

 

So, make sure you are getting into the career for the right reasons.  

 

3 Ways to Start an Interior Design Career

If one thing is consistent about how to become an interior designer, it’s that folks who achieve it are set on doing it their own way. Some prominent names in interior design, like Nate Berkus and Jonathan Adler, are entirely self-taught. While many more, like Mario Buatta and Kelly Wearstler, have had a combination of formal education and on-the-job training. 

Here are the three main ways to start an interior design career. 

Formal Education and Training 

Don’t underestimate the importance of a formal interior design education. There are many technical elements to good design, including the psychological effects of color, lighting, and spatial planning. Emerging fields like neuroaesthetics take this even further. 

 

To become a formally licensed interior designer (which many firms require for employment), you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree covering courses in drafting, space planning, color studies, and textiles. Regardless of licensure, formal programs are enormously helpful in establishing a solid foundation and understanding of design principles, styles, and history.  

Mentorship and Learning on the Job  

A degree will give you the background to design a beautiful space (in theory). However, mastery of the skill comes through on-the-job training. Learning how to be flexible when a delivery from a vendor is running late, creating a schedule for the contractors, and problem-solving around a surprise pipe running through the wall are all real-world skills a designer needs to have. 

 

Working as a design intern or assistant and finding a mentor in the field to advise you in your career are invaluable ways to grow your expertise. 

Blind Faith in Your “Good Taste” 

Many professional interior designers make the job look deceptively easy. So, some aspiring designers take the leap, relying on the blind faith that their “good taste” will see them through. The problem with good taste is that it’s not enough. Those who set off into the field alone and unarmed with an education quickly realize how complicated it is. To design successfully, you need a lot of information on the material world, and that takes time and guidance. 

 

However, it is possible to be self-taught in design. I recommend reading every design book you can, taking on personal projects for practice, and networking with vendors, designers, and others in the field to build relationships and learn from the source.  

 

The Path I’d Take to Start an Interior Design Career 

By now, you may be wondering how I became an interior designer. I took a more academic approach and studied at Parsons and the New York School of Interior Design. But not before starting work as an administrative assistant at an architecture and interior design firm. This early role gave me a glimpse into how a design firm is run and all the work that goes into creating a beautiful space. 

 

Once I knew this was the career for me, I dove further into my studies and eventually worked under Jeffrey Bilhuber and Tom Scheerer at their NYC firms. On the job, I learned how to please clients and highly discerning bosses. In school, I learned how to draw design plans, the types of fiber weaves, and the history of this amazing field. 

 

My path was a hybrid, and the value of both the formal and informal education I have gotten is invaluable.

 

And Don’t Forget This is a Business 

Please remember that interior design is a business—and quite a challenging one at that! While many of us find joy in creating a comfortable space and curating a room, there is so much more to the role of an interior designer. 

 

In addition to developing a strong knowledge of design, you must effectively communicate with vendors, manage projects, price services, provide customer service, and familiarize yourself with local building codes. And don’t forget. Working in someone’s space can be highly emotional, so you may occasionally have to play therapist. But that is part of establishing trust and building lasting client partnerships. 

 

This is the business of design! And it is not for the faint of heart. 

Finding Your Path and Understanding How You Learn 

So, what is the best way to become an interior designer? Well, I hate to break it to you, but there isn’t a clear-cut path. We all learn in different ways, and what works for one person might not work for another. 

 

Typically, I encourage folks to get a formal education (at least in a few key design courses). For example, drawing is an important skill to master to fully understand how spaces are put together and communicate your vision to the builders. However, those with determination and diligence (and drive) may be more than capable of teaching themselves and securing entry positions to learn as they go on the job. A mentor in this field will be your best friend. 

 

No matter your path, continue learning, developing your style, and photographing every project you complete to show what you can do and secure the next client. 

 

Which path is for you?