Find Schools offering Interior Design Degree Programs

• Interior designers work with color and space to create aesthetically pleasing rooms in houses and businesses.
• A bachelor's degree and some internship experience are needed for most entry level positions in interior design.
• An interior design career allows many professionals to own their own business.

What is interior design?

Interior designers are experts and creating living and business spaces that are aesthetically pleasing. They work with the shape of the room, color, furniture and lighting, to create a certain ambiance or environment.

What education is needed to get into the field of interior design?

Interior designers usually have a bachelor's degree, along with a some sort of specialized training in their field. Most training programs are available from professional design schools or from colleges and universities and usually take 2 to 4 years to complete. Many interior designers are also getting trained in computer aided design software, since it's a technology increasingly used in the field. Some states also require interior designers to have a license to charge for their services. Most designers in these states don't get to be in charge of their own projects right out of college. Instead, they go into an apprenticeship for a few years after graduation, to gain experience before taking a national licensing exam or joining a professional association. Experience is the key in this field. Even after education and apprenticeships, having as much experience as possible is important for career advancement.

What career opportunities are there in the field of interior design?

The demand for interior designers is expected to grow because of the increased wealth among home owners, however, competition in this field is fierce. The field has gained conciderable interest since the airing of interior design shows like "Extreme Make Over: Home Edition." There are interior design firms, but many designers choose to work on their own and gain their own clientele. Choosing to be self-employed takes a lot of creativity and perseverance to make a living, but with experience there are many who work as independent interior designers.

How much money do interior design professionals make?

The average annual salary for interior designers sits around the $40,000 mark, but salaries definitely range widely. At the low end, interior designers earn $23,400 a year and the very successful designers make over $70,000.

What are the leading schools offering programs in Interior Design?