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Interior designer

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March 29, 2024 Updated April 4, 2025 15 minute read

A Career Guide to Interior Design

Interior design is a multifaceted profession focused on enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier, more functional, and aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. It involves planning, designing, and managing the execution of interior spaces, considering aspects like space allocation, layout, finishes, furnishings, and lighting, all while adhering to building codes and safety regulations. More than just selecting colors and furniture, interior design blends art and science to create environments that meet clients' needs and improve their quality of life or work efficiency.

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Salaries for Interior designer

City
Median
New York
$95,000
San Francisco
$120,000
Seattle
$71,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$95,000
San Francisco
$120,000
Seattle
$71,000
Austin
$98,000
Toronto
$76,000
London
£41,000
Paris
€59,000
Berlin
€46,000
Tel Aviv
₪125,000
Singapore
S$80,000
Beijing
¥121,000
Shanghai
¥205,000
Shenzhen
¥363,000
Bengalaru
₹486,000
Delhi
₹525,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Interior designer

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We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Interior designer. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
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Reading list

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Classic guide to interior design, providing timeless advice on how to create beautiful and sophisticated spaces. It must-read for anyone interested in the art of decorating.
Comprehensive guide to interior design, covering everything from planning a space to choosing furniture and accessories. It is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced designers.
Comprehensive reference tool covering all aspects of interior design, from fundamentals and space planning to materials and lighting. It's highly practical and useful for both students and professionals as a quick guide and to solidify understanding of various technical details. It is commonly used as a reference by industry professionals.
Provides a foundational understanding of interior design principles through clear illustrations and concise text. It's often used as a textbook and is invaluable for grasping the basic elements of space, form, and order in interior environments. It's a crucial reference for anyone serious about the field.
Comprehensive reference guide covering a wide range of technical information, including standards, codes, and material specifications. It's essential for those seeking a deep understanding of the practical aspects of interior design and valuable tool for professionals and advanced students.
Considered a foundational textbook, this book provides a comprehensive framework for the interior design process, blending creative and technical aspects. It is widely used in design programs and covers topics from theory and history to space planning and building systems.
Comprehensive guide to interior design, covering everything from planning a space to choosing furniture and accessories. It valuable resource for anyone looking to create a stylish and functional home.
A comprehensive guide that blends design advice with personal essays, this book covers a wide range of decorating topics. It's helpful for gaining a broad understanding and offers practical tips for designing a home that reflects personal style. It serves as a good reference for various design elements.
Known for Ching's signature illustrations, this book provides a visual and clear explanation of fundamental interior design principles. It's an excellent resource for beginners to grasp core concepts of space, form, and order. It serves as a foundational text in many design programs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of home decor, offering practical advice and inspiration for creating a stylish and inviting home.
Delves into the details that elevate a space, focusing on quality furniture, textiles, and decorative elements. It's excellent for deepening understanding of material selection and recognizing enduring design. It serves as a valuable reference for creating sophisticated and timeless interiors.
Delves into the art and science of architectural lighting design. It's a more advanced text suitable for those wanting to deepen their understanding of how light shapes space and influences the perception of interiors. It's a valuable resource for professionals and advanced students.
Provides fundamental concepts and techniques for lighting design, a crucial aspect of interior environments. It covers various design scenarios and technical considerations, making it a valuable resource for students and professionals focusing on creating effective lighting schemes.
A comprehensive guide to selecting and understanding materials used in interior design. covers the properties, applications, and sustainability of various materials, essential knowledge for making informed design decisions. It's a practical reference for students and professionals.
Offers a holistic approach to decorating, emphasizing the connection between nature and home. It provides guidance on selecting materials and creating spaces that feel layered and personal. It's suitable for those looking to deepen their understanding of creating lived-in, comfortable interiors.
Authored by a popular interior designer, this book showcases a variety of interiors with a focus on creating livable and stylish spaces. It provides inspiration and practical advice for layering and mixing styles. It's relevant for those interested in contemporary California casual design.
Showcases the creative possibilities of LEGO bricks, providing inspiration and techniques for building unique and complex structures. It valuable resource for architects, designers, and hobbyists.
Focuses on developing problem-solving skills essential for interior designers. It presents various design challenges and provides frameworks and strategies for addressing them effectively. It's a practical resource for students and professionals to hone their critical thinking in design.
Focusing on the styling aspect of home decor, this book provides practical tips and visual inspiration for arranging elements within a space. It's great for those who have some basic understanding and want to refine their styling skills. It's a useful reference for adding personality to a room.
Explores beautifully designed homes and the stories behind them, offering insights into the designers' processes and inspirations. It's great for gaining a deeper appreciation for curated spaces and understanding how different elements come together to create a cohesive aesthetic. It's more inspirational than a technical guide.
Building on the popular magazine's aesthetic, this book provides a guide to personalizing and styling a home. It's rich in visual inspiration and practical ideas for creating stylish spaces. It's a useful resource for identifying personal style and getting ideas for decor elements.
Provides a comprehensive overview of lighting design for interior spaces. It includes information on lighting types, fixtures, and controls.
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