Interior Design Jobs

A Sampling of Interior Design Jobs

Some typical interior designer jobs include the following. Most require at least a Bachelor's degree in interior design. Pay varies according to the size of the firm or company and to the applicant's experience in the field. As in other fields, salaries on the East and West Coasts are generally higher. The average interior design salary is $45,000. A license is required for interior designers in 22 states. More design firms will help you prepare for the licensing test and pay for the related fees.

• Residential Interior Designer - An individual who designs the inside spaces of houses. This can be for residential homeowners or for contractors of new house sites. This type of interior designer might work for her own firm, for a small or large designer firm, or perhaps a furniture or home remodeling store.

• Commercial Interior Designer - Not all interior designers work on houses. Some help to design the interior spaces of offices, stores, and professional buildings. These designers may be self-employed, work for a small or large design firm, or be part of a commercial construction contractor's staff.

• Architectural Design - Who chooses a building's flooring, wall coverings, mouldings, and other architectural details? Often it's an interior designer who specializes in architectural design. This designer might concentrate on historic design or work with new construction. Many larger architectural firms employ interior designers.

• In-house Corporate Designer - Large corporations that sell home products often have a design showroom which commercial and/or residential clients can see their product(s) in a home or office situation. For instance, Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams Corporation staffs a complete design studio. These design consultants do everything from naming paint colors to picking room colors for design houses at functions such as the annual Home and Flower Show.

Your own Design Firm

Many budding interior designers dream of starting their own design firm. This route is especially challenging as it combines both design and running a small business -- not always compatible skills. As a small business owner, the designer will be responsible for attracting and retaining clients, bookkeeping, taxes, hiring (and firing) staff, and other management functions.

The advantages of starting your own firm include the freedom of expression it offers as well as the potential for -- professional and financial -- growth. Finding your niche in design can be important in your own firm just as with working for someone else. Specialties abound, but include many of those mentioned above as well as styles, such as Mediterranean, Federalist, 19th century, or Williamsburg.