What Does it Take to Become an Interior Designer?

A residential designer, also called a Residential Design Specialist or Contractor, specializes in designing architecture and interior lighting for single or multiple-family dwellings. In some instances, as federal regulations require, they might also design other light-based commercial structures, agricultural buildings, or other ornamental facades for larger commercial properties. Regardless, of which type of designer or developer you hire, there are many areas that require careful attention. Let’s take a look at these important areas of home design:

HOME DESIGN

The first aspect of home design that you must consider is the furniture and furnishings that you will be using. The interior designers in the industry spend a great deal of time choosing the right colors and textures for a specific room or space in your house. You, on the other hand, will spend a good deal of time choosing the right types of furnishings to use in the spaces of your home. The two careers usually compliment each other; however, you cannot go into an industry like interior design and then simply choose the furnishings for your house. This requires a great deal of planning, and you may need an architect to help you.

In order to become a Building Designer, in some states you will have to meet additional licensing requirements than are required of an interior designer. However, even in these states, there is no minimum education or training that is needed in order to become licensed. In fact, it is recommended that you get some formal education and training before attempting to enter the field of home design. This can typically be completed through either an online program through a college, or through a trade school. Those who have never worked in the building design industry may want to take a semester or two of architecture school, however, in most states you do not need this.

An interior designer must work closely with architects in order to create the various spaces within a house or building. In turn, the interior designers must follow the architectural plans that have been created by the architects. The role of the interior decorators is to provide the rooms and spaces inside the house with the items that will best bring out the beauty of the design. This includes furniture, wall coverings, lighting, fabrics, rugs, etc. As you can see, the role of the interior designers and the architects greatly compliments one another.

Now that you know a little bit more about the home design profession, it may be easier for you to understand the differences between the jobs held by interior designers and architects. For example, while architects are responsible for providing the physical layout and shape of a space, the interior designers are responsible for providing the items that will help make that space functional and visually appealing. In addition to the difference in job duties, there are also quite a few differences in training and education. While many people choose to get their education at an art college, some choose to get their education at a university. And finally, although most architects get a degree in architecture, many interior designers go on to obtain degrees in design, planning, and sales.

Regardless of which path you take to achieve your goals, the basic principles of the interior design field remain the same. You will need to develop your skill in order to create a room or space that is appealing and useful. However, this does not mean that you will be able to accomplish this all in one day. In fact, it may take you several years before you are finally able to complete your project. Once you have your education completed, you will need to put in the necessary hours to hone your skills and gain experience.