Your Career as a Interior Decorator

Interior decorators use their skills to increase the beauty of homes and offices. Their services are highly sought. Interior decorators can find jobs designing interiors of private homes, businesses, retail stores, design centers and furniture stores. Degrees aren't required for interior decorator jobs. However, an interior decorator degree can set you apart from the competition.

Focus of Degree Programs

Many online programs offer interior decorator degrees. Some specialty fields you'll learn about are computer-aided design (CAD) software, blueprint reading, furniture design, space planning, color and light utilization, and various decorating styles such as colonial or southwestern. These classes will help you develop an eye for design while learning new decorating techniques.

Interior Decorators

Interior decorators focus on beautifying and improving the functionality of existing homes and business interiors. Interior decorators offer their services to people who want their offices or businesses to be more attractive but don't have time to complete the work themselves. They may work on entire buildings or perhaps single rooms such as kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms. A degree isn't required to enter the market as an interior decorator but can help give your name credibility and attract clients.

Interior Designers

Interior designers are certified by such organizations as the American Society of Interior Designers. Becoming an interior designer requires certification from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and requires passing a test. Duties of interior designers may include analyzing safety aspects of design projects, preparing technical drawings or blueprints and working with licensing institutions to obtain proper certification required for regulatory approval.

Education Programs for Interior Decorators

Degree programs are available for interior decorating degrees at design schools, universities and online colleges. If you're thinking of changing careers, an online program will allow you to continue working your current job while earning your degree. If you want to obtain certification through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), you will be required to pass an examination and must have a combination of education and full-time working experience of 2 to 5 years.

Job Outlook for Interior Decorators

Job competition is fierce in the field of interior design. Job prospects are best for interior decorators with career training. The biggest demands for interior decorators may come from hospitality businesses. Designers specializing in bathroom and kitchen design are also often in high demand.

Sources:

http://www.interior-design-decorating-schools.org/

http://www.rhodec.edu/index/index.php

http://www.ncidq.org/