To become an interior decorator, consider structured education in design or self-study. Understand design concepts, furniture styles, and build a portfolio. Join professional associations and seek opportunities in the industry. Differentiate between interior decorator and interior designer career paths.
To become an interior decorator, you should start by considering the merits of a structured education in design and other elements of interior decorating. Unlike interior designers, you don’t necessarily need to have a design or architecture education to become an interior decorator, but it can be easier to do so. If you want to skip any structured education, you must still understand different aspects of interior design and design in general, such as space usage, color and lighting, and various styles of furniture and architecture. You might also consider joining a professional association and ways to build your portfolio.
Before you start working towards becoming an interior decorator, make sure you’re following the career path that’s right for you. You should, for example, consider whether you want to be an interior decorator or an interior designer. Interior designers generally understand architecture and design in a more formalized way, often requiring a degree from a college or university, while interior decorators do not.
If you want to become an interior decorator, start your training by learning everything you can about interior design and decoration. This can be done in a number of ways, including taking individual design or decorating classes, reading books on the subject, and even taking online classes or websites dedicated to interior decorating. While you don’t necessarily need to have a college degree to become an interior decorator, you might still want to consider it as an option. Either way, however, you must make sure you understand various design concepts such as space, color theory, and lighting techniques.
You should also learn about different decorating and furniture design styles as you will be able to identify styles such as Southwestern, Louis XIV and Art Deco. Once you have the necessary knowledge in design and decoration theory, you can start to gain the necessary experience to become an interior decorator. You should consider friends and family who might need help with the decor and volunteer your time to start building your portfolio.
There are also professional associations for interior decorators that you can join, which can help you network and receive discounts on certain decor products. Once you’ve built your portfolio up a bit, which may include images of your own home or workspace, you should look for opportunities in the industry. You can look for local restaurants or hotels that need help with interior decorating, interior design companies that are hiring decorators, and construction companies or real estate agencies looking for a decorator for model homes.
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