How to Become a Home Interior Decorator

An interior decorator is someone who focuses on designing architectural interiors and furniture. They make visual enhancements, but don't make structural modifications like interior designers. Additionally, interior decorators don't need to be familiar with building and safety codes.

Interior decorating is less technical than interior design, so there are really no education or licensing prerequisites to carry out. Nevertheless, enrolling in interior design classes can assist you in enhancing your abilities and provide you with a leg up on the competition as you start your career.

Things You'll Need

• Supplies and material for decorating Internet access Informational books Camera

Instructions

1. Develop your eye for design. If you are considering interior decorating as an occupation, you probably already have a great sense of style. However, the most gifted decorators have to continually train to determine the preferences of various clients and to keep up with shifting industry trends. You can do this by looking at design and architecture publications, visiting art and furniture galleries and checking out the websites of interior decorating and design professional organizations.

2. Study the field. While you don't need a formal education to be an interior decorator, clients and employees insist on you being well-informed about decorating essentials including space arrangement, accurate color use, textures, lighting and more. You can learn many of this by studying on your own, but the quickest and most thorough way is to take an interior design class. Additionally, formal training gives you and your future clients more confidence in your abilities.

3. Apply your skills at home. It's essential to have concrete decorating practice prior to working on others' properties. Many interior decorators use their homes to get the necessary experience. No matter where you live, you just need a room to modify and test different styles. Try a new paint color or just change the furniture around.

4. Volunteer your help to family and friends. This is another great way to boost your skills by offering to decorate their homes or offices. Do the whole procedure as if you are working with actual clients. For example, have them complete a questionnaire, offer a proposal and decide on a timeline and a budget. Remember that your actual clients might not be as lenient as your family and friends.

5. Create a portfolio. When you begin searching for work, clients and firms will want to look at your portfolio. You'll need about 15-20 'before and after' photos of your work; you should also have 'design boards' that show some of your favorite material. Even if you don't have conventional work experience, you can compose a portfolio that illustrates work you've done for yourself or family and/or jobs done during your education.

6. Find employment in the design or decorating field or start your own business. Although your objective may be to ultimately create an interior decorating business, it's beneficial to start your career in a business linked to the field. You can acquire decorating occupations in interior design or decorating firms and in other places like furniture and house wares, hotel chains and furniture stores. By doing this, you will keep developing your skills and encounter prospective customers and suppliers. When starting your business, you can get simple advice from organizations like SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Tips & Warnings

• Trends and practices change all the time, so it's essential to stay up to date by reading design magazines and websites, going to industry trade shows and joining professional organizations. To really establish your career, become certified as a professional interior decorator. While it isn't necessary, it will probably impress your clients and make additional opportunities for you

References

• Become an Interior Decorator