Interior Decorating Course
Have you ever seen a room that you just wanted to transform into something much more appealing or the interior of a building that just didn't do it justice. If so, then our interior decorating home study course is just for you. Whether your are interested in launching a successful career of just want to be an interior decorating guru, we can help. Our interior decorating home study courses can help you develop your creativity, and show you how to use color, texture, fabric, style, furnishings, accessories, lighting, and paint in a way that reflects your own personal taste, and that of your clients, too.
So develop your natural talent for interior design with our home study interior decorating courses. Learn to:
- Determine your client's needs and priorities.
- Use the elements and principles of design and color.
- Choose the best treatments for floors, walls, and windows.
- Start and operate your own business as an Interior Decorator.
Our distance learning course can help you gain the skills and self-confidence you need to pursue a satisfying new career with a decorating firm or to start your own decorating business, and work from home!
For more information on our interior design and interior decorating courses click on a school name below:
- The Art Institute Online
- Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
- Rocky Mountain College
- Bachelor in Interior Design
- Penn Foster Career School
- Ashworth College
- Professional Interior Decorating Program
Interior Decorator Career Overview
Interior decorating careers have great appeal for artistic people with a good eye for design. Interior decorators and designers have lots of exciting career possibilities. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is the standard credential for a career as a designer. Master's degrees and doctorate degrees can provide further career incentives, with opportunities to specialize in favorite design styles and genres.
The interior design industry is not just about choosing pretty furnishings and attractive wall colors. Interior decorators are expected to know how to merge beautiful room designs with form and functionality. Interior design services often extend far beyond residential homes to hotel lobbies, executive offices, retail stores, airport terminals, hospitals, casinos, stadiums and other public venues.
Interior decorators are required to satisfy not only the needs of clients, but also the needs of other professional service providers, such as architects, plumbers and electricians. The designer should be able to navigate blueprints and be mindful of local and state building codes and regulations. The artistic vision of the designer may be innovative and ground-breaking, but room designs can only be executed if they are actually possible.
Interior Decorator Salary and Wage Info
 According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average yearly wage for interior decorating careers is currently around $46,000, or just over $22 per hour. In May 2010, the USDL predicted that the number of positions for interior designers would increase by around 19 percent by 2020, slightly higher than average. The overall outlook is positive, especially for people with graduate degrees in interior design.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor's degree is the benchmark for a career in the field. Minimum entry into a bachelor's program generally requires an associate degree from an accredited school. After the bachelor's, the next steps would be a master's degree and then a PhD in interior design. With these credentials, the possibilities for a career are endless.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design currently endorses around 300 art and design courses in the U.S. Another respected accrediting authority is the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. It currently approves around 150 bachelor's and master's degree programs in professional interior design, including some online colleges and universities.
Learning to be an interior designer is never dull, and there are plenty of ways to stretch a creative imagination. Computer aided drawing (CAD) classes are a mainstay for learning about design and 3-D rendering. Graphic art and design classes help students learn about color, texture, light, room aesthetics and much more. Classes in architectural design and engineering teach students how to create beautiful rooms from the bottom up.
An interior design degree might also include a few business classes, as most interior decorating careers are self-managed. Classes in accounting, marketing and business management are good choices for a well-rounded education. Design certificate courses are also helpful preparation.
All this classroom experience adds up to a brilliant portfolio and a solid education, but there can be more. Most states have at least some minimum requirement for interior designers and many involve certification and/or licensure. Interior decorators can be required to pass a state-approved exam, generally the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam. In any case, NCIDQ approval is a nationally-recognized credential for professional interior decorating careers.
| 
