Introduction to Interior Design: Part 1
Exploring Interior Design – A Fulfilling Career
Imagine a profession where you can unleash your creativity to transform homes and businesses into stunning and comfortable spaces. Welcome to the world of interior decoration!
Few careers offer the diverse benefits that interior design does. As an interior designer, you’ll experience the satisfaction of bringing your creative vision to life. You’ll interact with interesting individuals, and given that many clients who seek interior decorators are affluent, you’ll likely find yourself in numerous exquisite homes and establishments. Moreover, if you decide to start your own design business, you’ll enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. Most importantly, your “work” will be enjoyable, intriguing, and deeply rewarding.
Pursuing a Career in Interior Decorating
Entering the field of interior decorating doesn’t require any special education or experience to succeed, unlike becoming a licensed interior designer, which demands strict prerequisites such as 2 to 5 years of post-secondary education in interior design. With interior decorating, you can embark on this career path immediately.
Embark on Your Interior Decorating Career – 10 Steps to Success
If interior decorating aligns with your career aspirations, here are 10 steps to kickstart your journey into this exciting profession, based on the FabJob Guide to Interior Decorating.
Step 1: Train Your Eye
Seek out beautifully decorated interiors to study. You can find inspiration in design magazines, as well as by exploring your local area. Visit showcase homes, open houses in affluent neighborhoods, furniture showrooms, historic residences, art galleries, and the offices of professionals like corporate lawyers and interior designers. Chances are, if you’re considering a career in interior design, you already possess a keen eye for aesthetics. However, honing your skills further involves actively analyzing and appreciating what constitutes excellent design.
Step 2: Educate Yourself on Decorating Principles
Familiarize yourself with the various facets of interior decoration, including:
- Space Planning: Learn techniques for arranging furniture and accessories within given spaces.
- Color and Lighting: Understand the effective use of color and lighting to enhance ambiance.
- Furniture and Decor Styles: Explore different design styles like Colonial or Southwestern.
- Flooring, Wall Treatments, and Window Coverings: Acquire knowledge about materials and options for these elements.
- Accessories: Discover how to incorporate pillows, art, and other accessories to add personality to spaces.
You can gain insight into decorating principles through a variety of resources:
- Courses: Enroll in courses dedicated to interior decorating.
- Books: Explore books on interior design and decoration.
- Websites: Access online tutorials and resources.
- Consultation: Seek advice from vendors specializing in home decor products, such as paint, carpet, lighting, and hardware stores.
By immersing yourself in these learning opportunities, you’ll develop a strong foundation in interior decoration principles.
Step 3: Practice in Your Own Home
Many interior designers gain their initial design experience by working on their own homes. Even if you have only a small area to work with, you can gain hands-on experience with a variety of decorating techniques. For instance, you can make a significant impact on any space by simply rearranging the furniture or applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls. Don’t hesitate to experiment with techniques you wouldn’t normally consider. Treat this space as your “design lab,” where you can freely try out ideas before implementing them for clients.
Step 4: Offer Your Decorating Services
While your family and friends may have sought your advice on decorating, you can take the initiative to offer your services formally. Even if they haven’t yet enlisted your help to decorate their homes or businesses, why not suggest it?
There are various occasions when your friends or family members may be interested in redecorating, such as:
- Marriage or Cohabitation: Assist them in combining two families into one cohesive space.
- Moving into a New Home: Offer to help them settle into their new living space.
- Welcoming a New Baby: Propose decorating the baby’s nursery to create a welcoming environment.
- Hosting Special Events: Provide your expertise in decorating for weddings, dinner parties, or other gatherings.
- Starting a Home-Based Business: Offer to decorate their new office space to inspire productivity.
- Selling a Home: Explain how a well-decorated home can attract potential buyers and enhance its appeal on the market.
By proactively offering your decorating services, you can showcase your skills and build your portfolio while helping your loved ones create beautiful and functional spaces.
Step 5: Prepare Your Portfolio
A portfolio serves as a showcase of your work and persuades potential clients to choose your services. It typically includes samples of your work, along with other materials that highlight why someone should hire you.
The key components of an interior designer’s portfolio include:
- Photographs of Your Work: Capture “before” and “after” photos of each space you decorate. Choose 15-20 high-quality photographs that showcase your best work and organize them in a photo album or portfolio case.
- Reference Letters: Include letters of recommendation from satisfied clients or professionals in the industry to vouch for your skills and professionalism.
- Design Boards: Create visual representations of your design concepts using “design boards.” These boards feature images and samples of materials such as fabrics, flooring, wallpaper, etc., to illustrate your proposed designs for specific spaces.
By meticulously assembling your portfolio with these elements, you can effectively demonstrate your expertise and creativity to potential clients, ultimately securing new projects and opportunities.
Our upcoming post will feature steps 6 to 10! Stay tuned for Part 2 of Introduction to Interior Design.
