3 answers
Olivia
Student
Bowling Green, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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What is the best way to get into interior design or interior decorating? Wanting to change career from sales/customer service background.
What is the best way to get into interior design or interior decorating? I have a degree in psychology along with plenty of other professional experience in sales, customer service, and have run my own business making personalized gifts and event decor. I don't live near a big city so very few design studios in the area. Is there an online course or anything I could do that would give me a leg up if I am able to find a relevant position near me? I cannot move too far away, but am happy to travel semi regularly for consultations etc.
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3 answers
Rosemary Agbanya S.
Product designer (ui/ux)
1
Answer
Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Updated
Rosemary’s Answer
You're in a great position to transition into interior design, more than you may realise. Your background in psychology, customer service, sales, and even running your own decor business gives you a strong mix of creativity, people skills, and business sense, all super valuable in interior design and decorating.
Here are some steps you can take to get started, even from a smaller town:
1. Choose Your Path: Interior Design vs. Decorating
2. Take an Online Course or Certification
3. Start a Portfolio (Even Without Clients)
4. Offer Your Services Locally or Remotely
5. Stay Inspired & Keep Learning
You're not behind; you're just pivoting. With your creative experience and professional background, you're already well on your way. Don’t be afraid to start small. You can build a fulfilling career in interior decorating right where you are.
Here are some steps you can take to get started, even from a smaller town:
1. Choose Your Path: Interior Design vs. Decorating
2. Take an Online Course or Certification
3. Start a Portfolio (Even Without Clients)
4. Offer Your Services Locally or Remotely
5. Stay Inspired & Keep Learning
You're not behind; you're just pivoting. With your creative experience and professional background, you're already well on your way. Don’t be afraid to start small. You can build a fulfilling career in interior decorating right where you are.
Kent Falkner
23
Answers
Updated
Kent’s Answer
Transitioning into interior design or interior decorating from a sales/customer service background is completely achievable—especially since your communication and client service skills are highly valuable in design roles. Here’s a structured path to help you break in:
1. Clarify Your Path • Interior Designer: Typically needs formal education; focuses on space planning, building codes, structural elements, and working with architects. • Interior Decorator: No formal license required; focuses on aesthetics—furniture, colors, lighting, and styling.
2. Leverage Your Transferable Skills Your background in sales/customer service gives you: • Strong client communication • Project management • Negotiation and vendor coordination • Problem-solving under pressure These are critical for client-facing design roles.
3. Education and Training For Interior Decorating (faster entry) • Online courses or certificates (flexible & affordable): • Udemy, Skillshare, New York Institute of Art + Design • Local workshops or community college classes • Interior Decorating Certificate (6–12 months) For Interior Design (formal entry) • Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design • NCIDQ Certification (required in many states to be called a licensed “Interior Designer”) • Can take 2–4 years depending on prior education
4. Build a Portfolio • Start with your own home or volunteer to redesign a friend’s space • Before-and-after photos are key • Use free design tools like SketchUp, Roomstyler, or Canva for mockups
Consider Certifications (Optional but Credible) • Certified Interior Decorators International (C.I.D.) • Residential Interior Designer Certification (RIDC) • LEED Accreditation (for sustainable design, if desired)
Kent recommends the following next steps:
Céline Riard
Interior designer
11
Answers
Framingham, Massachusetts
Updated
Céline’s Answer
Hi Olivia,
Interior design or decorating are fulfilling careers. However, they do not pay necessarily well when you first start. All advice above is excellent. Start small, stage, decorate and design for free for friends and family. You could even consider doing mock staging, using accessories you already have to bring to a friend's house, or even buy inexpensive items (some you may be able to return). I did few projects like that at the beginning of my career. It can make a huge difference. I cannot advise on staging for the real estate market, since this is something I offered only briefly at one point and found it too physically demanding and time consuming for a temporary reward. However staging once I finish an interior design project is something I love and you can transform an existing room by only switching few elements, change or add accent colors etc. This will help build your portfolio. Take tons of pictures (cellphones now do a decent job) but avoid wide angle on your phone as it distorts pictures a lot (usefully for tiny bathrooms though).
You can try to shadow local designers or decorators, or intern with them. If they are good mentors, who will learn a lot. I had few interns who were good and motivated, and eventually they all started their own business after a while. If there are large firms in your areas, you may be able to join as an administrative assistant and grow there. If you start your own business, it will take you a while to develop a client base, and I suggest you keep your day job unless you do not need a steady income.
You can also reach out to local general contractors and ask them if they would consider having you stage rooms when they are done with a project (unless they already have a designer who will). You will be surprised on the number of projects done without a designer!
As for education, check with your state if you need to be licensed to work as an interior designer. Some states like Florida requires it. If you have to be licensed, unless you are ready to embark on few years of college courses and go through painful licensing exams, I suggest you stick to decorating. Most of what you need to know, you may be able to find online resources, but you will also learn with sheer experience. I teach an adult in-person continuing education class for budding designers and contractor to help them learn the basic of design and let them avoid mistakes that can be pricey, but as far as I know, the class cannot be make hybrid. Trust me, we designers learn every day and I have made mistakes and learnt from them. It is a long road before you are an accomplished designer, but so worth it.
Wishing you the best in your career change of patch. I was an engineer before, so I know what it's like to change career paths: scary but thrilling.
Interior design or decorating are fulfilling careers. However, they do not pay necessarily well when you first start. All advice above is excellent. Start small, stage, decorate and design for free for friends and family. You could even consider doing mock staging, using accessories you already have to bring to a friend's house, or even buy inexpensive items (some you may be able to return). I did few projects like that at the beginning of my career. It can make a huge difference. I cannot advise on staging for the real estate market, since this is something I offered only briefly at one point and found it too physically demanding and time consuming for a temporary reward. However staging once I finish an interior design project is something I love and you can transform an existing room by only switching few elements, change or add accent colors etc. This will help build your portfolio. Take tons of pictures (cellphones now do a decent job) but avoid wide angle on your phone as it distorts pictures a lot (usefully for tiny bathrooms though).
You can try to shadow local designers or decorators, or intern with them. If they are good mentors, who will learn a lot. I had few interns who were good and motivated, and eventually they all started their own business after a while. If there are large firms in your areas, you may be able to join as an administrative assistant and grow there. If you start your own business, it will take you a while to develop a client base, and I suggest you keep your day job unless you do not need a steady income.
You can also reach out to local general contractors and ask them if they would consider having you stage rooms when they are done with a project (unless they already have a designer who will). You will be surprised on the number of projects done without a designer!
As for education, check with your state if you need to be licensed to work as an interior designer. Some states like Florida requires it. If you have to be licensed, unless you are ready to embark on few years of college courses and go through painful licensing exams, I suggest you stick to decorating. Most of what you need to know, you may be able to find online resources, but you will also learn with sheer experience. I teach an adult in-person continuing education class for budding designers and contractor to help them learn the basic of design and let them avoid mistakes that can be pricey, but as far as I know, the class cannot be make hybrid. Trust me, we designers learn every day and I have made mistakes and learnt from them. It is a long road before you are an accomplished designer, but so worth it.
Wishing you the best in your career change of patch. I was an engineer before, so I know what it's like to change career paths: scary but thrilling.