Interior designer
Interior designers plan the internal layout and decoration of public, commercial and residential buildings and spaces.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an interior designer, you could:
- work with clients to understand their ideas and what they want
- advise on use of space, colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
- prepare detailed 2D and 3D plans using design software
- provide estimates for materials, work and timescales for different design options
- find suppliers of fittings, furniture, fabrics, and wall and floor coverings
- draw up instructions for contractors, or act as a project manager from start to finish
Working environment
You could work in an office, from home, in a creative studio or at a client's business.
Career path and progression
With experience, you might move into related work, for example:
- theatre set design
- visual merchandising
- exhibition design
- lighting design
- furniture design
- ergonomics
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- interior design
- art and design
- interior architecture
- spatial design
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could complete a college course, which may help you afterwards with applications for design assistant jobs or university courses. Examples include:
- interior design
- art and design
- T Level in Craft and Design
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You could apply to do a Furniture Design Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which may lead into an interior design assistant role.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You could start as an interior design assistant with a company. With further training and qualifications you could become an interior designer.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the British Institute of Interior Design for professional development and to make contacts in the industry.
Further information
You can get more details about careers and training in interior design from the British Institute of Interior Design and The Society of British and International Interior Design.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.