“Aesthetes” by nature, Interior Decorators use a judicious blend of design and beauty to create lively, magical spaces that engender pleasant memories while enriching lives. Continue Reading
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What are the typical responsibilities of an Interior Decorator?
An Interior Decorator would typically need to:
Interior Decorators may work in various settings, depending on the space they have been employed to beautify, ranging from private residences to corporate offices to showrooms. Although most have offices or studios, they must travel to meet clients, source materials, and supervise the project.
You may have a standard 40-45 hours/week schedule if employed by a firm or store, while self-employed Interior Decorators may enjoy more flexible hours. Ensuring optimal customer satisfaction may entail working evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.
Finding a new job may be challenging. Interior Decorators can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Interior Decorators are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Certified Interior Decorators International (CID), are crucial for Interior Decorators interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
In a field where employers and clients give more weightage to one’s portfolio and references than academic qualifications, prospective Interior Decorators should focus on honing and showcasing requisite skills.
Rookie Interior Decorators may use their homes as their muse and expand this endeavour to their friends and relatives. Such voluntary gigs offer valuable opportunities to showcase well-photographed work samples in one’s portfolio, learn from one’s mistakes and initiate word-of-mouth referrals.
Locate design firms, furniture stores, or seasoned Interior Decorators willing to take on enthusiastic apprentices and teach them the ins and outs of the industry. It may take you two to four years to learn about colour theory, design, principles, design styles and other aspects of interior design.
An entry-level job as an Interior Decorator for a furniture or home decor store is also an opportunity worth looking into to enhance your skills and portfolio.
Regularly update your portfolio with your best work regardless of where you begin. Although a physical version holds an old-world charm, you should consider investing in a digital portfolio that can be updated regularly and shared readily with potential employers/clients.
Individuals without the means to develop a website can use social media platforms, especially image-centric sites such as Instagram and Pinterest, to generate interest in their portfolio and work.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work in interior decoration.
Join art clubs and participate in workshops to practice and refine your artistic skills while experimenting with various mediums, styles, and techniques. Museums, galleries, and architectural sites foster a sense of appreciation in their visitors for the elements of design, colour theory, and spatial relationships.
Volunteer or intern with local interior designers, decorators, architects, or design firms to get a better perspective of the profession and valuable networking opportunities.
Industry-specific magazines, blogs, social media accounts, events, and exhibitions are excellent means to keep abreast of current trends and technological advances. Learn how to use design software, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, or 3D modelling programmes, often favoured by Interior Decorators to create visual representations of their designs.
Begin building a portfolio comprising any art or design work you undertake.
Significant knowledge of the complementary aspects of interior architecture, design and decoration will enable Interior Decorators to meet client requirements quickly. One may begin the journey by acquiring relevant academic qualifications.
Note that Interior Decorators are not interior designers, although their education may consist of quite similar topics.
Although a high school diploma may suffice to become a successful Interior Decorator, most aspirants find an associate degree in interior design helps them jumpstart their careers with larger organisations.
On the other hand, a career certificate or diploma in interior decoration from a community college or technical school can usually help graduates impress potential employers and clients with their hard-earned appreciation of not just commercial and residential interior design, elements of design, aesthetic principles, furniture, lighting, colour theory, and fabrics but also design best practices, marketing techniques, and billing methods.
An accredited bachelor’s degree in interior design, interior architecture, or visual arts, including courses in art, design, architecture, business, math and technology, is credible proof of an applicant’s understanding of the tenets of interior design and increases their chances of getting gainful employment.
Recommended high school courses include drawing, painting, design, graphic design, architecture, mathematics, physics (to understand structural elements), business, and communication. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification demonstrates an Interior Decorator’s competency in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Complete approved training programmes from nationally recognised accreditation bodies to gain interior decoration and interior design certification and give your professional career the required impetus.
Additional certification in colour consulting, space planning, lighting design, and textile and fabrics from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.
You may invest time and energy in acquiring accredited certification in sustainable design, kitchen and bath design, universal design, and historical preservation if they sync with your specific interests and career goals.
Interior Decorators may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media and drug screening.
Sustained excellence in completing projects to the client's satisfaction, leading to a steady income and better job opportunities, is a standard success metric as an Interior Decorator.
Career progression can manifest itself as promotion to management roles. Those employed by furniture, home accessories, and fabric stores may get promoted as Store Managers, Design Centre Managers, or Purchasing Managers with due experience.
Interior Decorators with an entrepreneurial mindset may open their own businesses to freelance, take up independent contracts, or collaborate with other decorators and designers.
Incumbents keen on sharing their hard-earned knowledge and experience with the next generation of Interior Decorators may become Teachers or Professors at design schools. Many of the transferable skills acquired can facilitate lateral movement to related roles in interior design, architecture, and construction.
Interiors Decorators with requisite skills can specialise in decorative painting and window cover design projects or consider entering the field of interior design journalism. Alternate career paths in creative communications include Art Director and Graphic Designer.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and exciting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Interior Decorators with post-secondary education in interior decoration or design, relevant accredited certifications, and favourable word-of-mouth referrals have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Interior Decorator build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, professional activities,
formal education, or self-directed learning.
Apprenticeships that translate into permanent job opportunities are standard means of imparting comprehensive on-the-job training to fresh graduates who would better understand the work process and culture.
Cultivate amicable relationships with peers, local vendors, homeowners, and interior designers to reap the benefits of verbal advertising, marketing, and sales campaigns that do not cost a penny. The associations may also lead to better customer service and increased customer loyalty. Home decoration shows and fairs offer excellent opportunities for connecting with interested homeowners and drumming up business.
Self-employment becomes viable when an Interior Decorator has accumulated adequate expertise in composition, layout, and colour design, relevant business skills, and sufficient funds to buy necessary equipment (a digital camera and colour printer) and supplies.
If you still need to, now would be an excellent time to enrol in accredited certificate and certification courses that would enhance your skills and prove your competence to current and potential employers and clients, paving the way for smooth career progression.
Trade shows/publications and industry leaders help up-and-coming Interior Decorators stay current with the latest trends and present their clients with innovative options. Search for and join industry-specific webinars and online conferences to network and learn from renowned professionals.
In addition to offering the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increase your chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.
Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator
Despite some overlap, we are looking at fundamentally distinct roles.
A broader range of interior design and architecture skills qualifies interior designers to design, plan, and supervise the construction or renovation of interior spaces. On the other hand, Interior Decorators focus on the aesthetic aspects of interior design to create a specific look and style for the assigned space.
Interior designers can decorate if necessary, but Interior Decorators cannot design under any circumstances.
Traits That Help
Interior Decorators who can systematically execute projects can vouch for the importance of creativity, spatial awareness, attention to detail, project management, collaboration, and networking in their success.
They give equal credit to the understanding of colours, psychology and interaction with space, ability to communicate effectively, problem-solving skills, and sustained passion for learning in realising career goals.
Tools of the Trade
Assorted online decorating tools, including Magic Plan, Home Styler, Planner 5D, SketchUp, Decorilla Online Interior Designers, Planner 5D, Room Sketcher, Visualize Color, and My Pantone assist a tech-savvy Interior Decorator to do justice to their work.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
Interior Decorators may witness a slight job growth in the coming decade. Although a projected downturn in the field of interior design may have a negative impact, Interior Decorators who excel at networking and selling themselves while constantly upskilling will be okay with succeeding in an increasingly competitive industry.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Lancing Interior Decorators have more flexible work schedules and locations. They can select their projects and clients. They must generate their own business, most of which may be commission-based. Inconsistent work and cash flow can spell increased responsibility, effort, and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Interior Decorators have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
If you can make the best possible use of a given space and cause it to bring a smile to whoever enters it, consider your job as an Interior Decorator done to perfection.
Keep an open mind and be willing to experiment with different styles and ideas.
Trendy eco-friendly designs incorporating lower maintenance costs, better quality, and energy efficiency can simultaneously elevate the targeted space and reduce one’s carbon footprint.
What do Interior Decorators do?
An Interior Decorator would typically need to:
Accredited
