How to Become An Interior Decorator - Saturday, March 3rd

Here is a profession I always thought would be really cool to be able to do. There are courses and schools out there that would be able to fully educate you on the principles of design, colors, and more - but you can always start here!

What is an Interior Designer?

An Interior Designer is a person who focuses primarily on decorating interior spaces. This includes choosing a style, color palette, selecting appropriate furniture, floor and window coverings, artwork, and lighting. Designers are also involved in designing architectural detailing, such as crown molding and built-in bookshelves, or planning layouts of buildings undergoing renovation. Interior designers must be able to read blueprints, understand building and fire codes, and know how to make the space accessible to the disabled. Designers frequently collaborate with architects, electricians, and building contractors to ensure that their designs are safe and meet construction requirements.

1. Train your eye
    - subscribe to and read design magazines (check out the magazines available at libraries, if you can't subscribe on your own)
    - visit show homes
    - visit homes for sale in wealthy neighborhoods to see how professional decorators designed the spaces
    - visit art galleries to get a feel for color palates
    - visit offices of interior decorators

2. Educate yourself
    - research space planning (how to arrange furniture and other items within a particular space)
    - use of color and light depending on different area sizes and shapes
    - furniture and decorating styles (ex. modern, country, antique, etc.)
    - know your floor types, wall coverings, and window treatments
    - use of accessories (such as pillows, art, plants)
*There are plenty of books and websites that educate on the above, as well as going to hardware stores/home decorating stores (bed, bath & beyond!) as resources

3. Practice at home
    - rearranging the furniture
    - painting
    - changing rooms around on a budget

4. Volunteer your services
    - friends & family members
    - just for occasions:
        * marriage/co-habitation
        * new home
        * new baby
        * parties
        * hosting an event
        * starting a home business

5. Prepare a portfolio
    - photographs of spaces you have designed (15-20pictures at least, include before & afters) in a photo album or portfolio case
    - letters of recommendation from people you have designed for - either voluntarily or paid
    - carry past design boards (posterboards with pictures & samples of fabrics, flooring, wallpaper, etc. to show clients what you recommend)

6. Get a job
    - start within the industry: interior design and decorating firms - Internships are ideal
    - create a resume that promotes decorating, creativity, customer service, and organizational abilities

7. Establish relationships with suppliers
    - companies that supply your products & services you need
    - manufacturers of furniture, wall coverings, flooring, fabrics
    - contractors who do painting, carpentry, installation, etc.
    - shopping as a professional interior decorator, you are entitled to interior discounts of up to 50% off the regular retail price which you can then pass on to clients

8. Get clients
    - could include home builders, new home buyers, wealthy home owners, professional couples, advertising agencies, art galleries, bed and breakfasts, boutique stores, corporate head offices, hotels, law firms, restaurants, spas, and many other types of businesses
    - work with professionals who can refer business to you, such as real estate agents, architects, antiques dealers, art dealers, home renovators, and owners of businesses that sell home furnishings
    - other marketing techniques include putting up a web page with photos of interiors you have decorated and getting publicity in the homes section of your local newspaper

9. Grow as a professional
    - continue to learn new decorating techniques
    - once you start a business: attend trade shows, continue to read decorating magazines and books, and join professional associations
    - impress clients & have an advantage over the competition by becoming certified as a professional interior decorator

Interior designers draw upon many disciplines to enhance the function, safety, and aesthetics of interior spaces. Their main concerns are with how different colors, textures, furniture, lighting, and space work together to meet the needs of a building's occupants. Designers plan interior spaces of almost every type of building, including offices, airport terminals, theaters, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and private residences. Good design can boost office productivity, increase sales, attract a more affluent clientele, provide a more relaxing hospital stay, or increase a building's market value.

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