Interior decorators are in charge of creating interior spaces that balance artistic style and functionality with a client’s budget and personal preferences. An interior decorator can transform a plain or mismatched home into a cohesively designed home that reflects the owner’s personality selecting appropriate fabrics, furnishings, and color palettes. An interior decorator can help a less design-inclined client express their individuality through the look and feel of their home being part architect, part psychologist, and part artist.
Many interior decorators have an artistic, architectural, or design background. Many interior designers choose to become certified or accredited following a combination education and experience program laid out overseeing groups such as the Interior Design Educators Council or the National Council of Interior Design Qualification, despite the fact that some come to the industry through practical experience. Through tests and portfolio reviews, these boards certify that an aspiring designer has met the basic requirements for a career in the field.
Interior decorators usually specialize in one type of design. Others may focus on office or industrial design, while others may specialize in creating luxury interiors for wealthy clients’ homes. Commercial design can cover a wide range of projects, including hospitals, offices, businesses, and industrial interiors. Residential designers are primarily responsible for designing single-family homes and apartment complexes, though some may also be called upon to design multi-family dwellings and apartment complexes.
Professionals in related fields frequently form beneficial relationships with experienced interior designers. A designer’s connections in the painting, furnishing, and fabric industries can help them get better prices and faster service for their clients. Some interior design firms form partnerships with other professionals in order to provide clients with a more comprehensive design package tailored to their specific requirements.
Interior designers must be able to communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service. When designing a client’s home, designers must first develop a clear picture of the client’s design preferences. Established designers must be able to assess a client’s requirements on both a practical and artistic level: do they prefer tropical or English country styles? Do they want a home that is warm, comfortable, and kid-friendly, or do they want it to be a sleek work of modern style? Any good interior designer will be able to ferret out answers to these questions and lead confused clients to satisfying solutions in order to satisfy a client’s sometimes nebulous demands.
Interior decorators should start taking classes and looking for resources on art, design history, and practical skills like painting, molding, and sewing as soon as possible. Consider contacting a local design firm to inquire about internships or entry-level positions. Those considering a career as an interior decorator should inquire about certification programs and the best path to a career in the field in their area.
Be as picky as possible when it comes to interior decorators. While reviewing prospective designers’ portfolios is important, finding a designer who listens and communicates effectively is even more important. Remember that the finished product should reflect the customer’s sensibilities and needs, so look for a designer whose primary goal is to ensure that their clients’ vision is realized.