Residential Interior Design
Residential Interior Design Career Overview
Residential interior designers create, design, decorate, and organize the interior spaces inside the homes of their clients. Much more than simply a decorator who picks out colors and fabrics, residential interior designers use artistic and engineering skills to transform people's homes into one-of-a-kind spaces.
Due to the fact that residential interior designers often work with many different types of people, including clients, architects, contractors, electricians, and plumbers, they should be great communicators who are adept at dealing with stressful situations and working with various kinds of personalities. In addition, they should be able to design rooms using different styles and budgets, since it is the client's vision they are striving to meet rather than their own.
Residential Interior Design Career Training & Education
Obtaining an associate's or bachelor's degree in a design-related field is critical for interior designers starting out in the industry. When researching reputable programs, students should look for institutions that have been accredited by the Council for Interior Design or the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, which each set educational standards for design institutions. Because these standards are set by educators and design practitioners working in the field, students can be confident that any program that has received accreditation will offer the preparation needed for a career in interior design.
In addition, many states have instituted licensing requirements for interior designers. Although the specifics of obtaining this license are different in each state, most require that interior designers pass a licensing exam administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ).
After graduation, many aspiring interior designers choose to enter a one to three year apprenticeship program as a way of gaining additional experience and making business contacts in the field. Although the majority of interior design apprentices work in larger design or architecture firms, others choose to work as in-store designers at furniture stores or possibly as an assistant to a well-regarded independent interior designer in the area. These apprenticeships can be found through word or mouth, or through the NCIDQ, which offers mentoring services and workshops for new designers.
Residential Interior Design Career Salary & Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, residential interior designers constitute the largest sub specialty in the interior design field. Nationwide, there were 72,000 interior designers working in 2006, with 26 percent of those working in specialized sectors such as residential design. Employment opportunities for interior designers are expected to grow by 19 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is faster than average for all occupations, according to the BLS.
The median annual earnings for salaried interior designers is $42,260, according to a May 2006 report by the BLS. However, residential designers are more likely to work for smaller firms and get paid based on a per-hour consulting fee, which means their income is often more variable and their salaries counterparts working at larger firms.
Characteristics of Successful Residential Interior Designers
To be successful, residential interior designers must be able to do more than pick out color swatches and chandeliers. The best designers know how to balance their own personal tastes with those of their clients and know how to design well within a range of budgets. They must have at least a basic understanding of home electrical wiring and know how to read blueprints, since many interior design renovation projects will begin before a home is finished. In addition, residential designers should have fantastic time management skills, so as to be able to juggle multiple clients at the same time without missing important deadlines.
Despite the demanding clients, heavy workloads, and stressful situations, residential interior design can be rewarding career for those who have innate artistic abilities, a passion for people, and who aren't afraid of a little hard work.
Article Resources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Quarterly (PDF)
National Council for Interior Design Qualifications
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation
International Interior Design Association
Careers in Interior Design
