Interior Decorating Salary & Career Profile

Interiors can look many different ways, but how they work is more important. Designing environments that satisfy needs requires understanding the space’s current and future uses.

Interior design consultants are trained to deal with more than the furnishings and finishes that go into making a space look wonderful. They use analytical problem-solving skills that focus on your needs and aspirations. Designers listen, understand and ultimately create a space that exceeds expectations.

Interior designers plan and design or redesign attractive and useful interiors for home, hotels, ships, hospitals, office buildings, and other commercial structures. They can be classified by the following general categories:

Designers often work from blueprints, make detailed floor plans, and draw furniture to scale. They shop in wholesale markets to locate furnishings and accessories, and, when necessary, design original pieces to be made to order. They often work closely with both building and landscape architects in planning the interiors of new buildings or remodeling old ones. Presentations for client approval usually include a sketch or scaled floor plan showing furniture arrangement, color charts, and samples of upholstery, draperies, and wall coverings. The complete proposal includes an estimate of the cost for the installation. After the proposal is accepted, Interior Designers assemble furnishings and act as agents for their clients by contracting and supervising the services of craft workers.

Qualifications

Creativity is crucial. People in this field must have an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Designers also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage in most types of design, especially fashion design. A good portfolio often is the deciding factor in getting a job.

Training

A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level design positions. Many candidates in Interior Design pursue a master’s degree to increase their chances of selection for open positions. Interior design is the only design field subject to government regulation. Twenty two states and the District of Columbia register or license interior designers. Passing the National Council for Interior Design qualification examination is required for registration or licensure in these jurisdictions. To be eligible to take the exam, an applicant must have at least 6 years of combined education and experience in interior design, of which at least 2 years constitute postsecondary education in design. Because registration or licensure is not mandatory in all States, membership in a professional association is an indication of an interior designer’s qualifications and professional standing- and can aid in obtaining clients.

Earnings

Designers can be paid in a variety of ways from salary, commission, or salary plus commission. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2003-2004, median annual earnings for interior designers were $39,180 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,070 and $53, 060. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,640. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of interior designers were as follows:

Architectural, engineering, and related services	$41,680
Specialized design services	$39,870
Furniture stores	$36,320

Advancement

Promotion for Interior Designers usually consists of assignment to more complex jobs with larger budgets and salary increases. Very talented Interior Designers may advance to the head of a decorating or design department. They may become interior furnishings coordinators or be given other supervisory positions in department stores or larger decorating or design firms. Designers with additional experience and consulting expertise may go into business for themselves.