Interior Design Career Information

Find out what to expect in an interior design career.

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Interior Design Career Statistics

Starting an interior design career can be a dream come true, but that doesn't mean you may not feel some anxiety about beginning this new phase of your life. Knowing what to expect in the industry can help minimize stress.

According to the latest published data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 72,000 interior designers practicing in the U.S. as of 2008. Employment in the industry will continue to grow at a rate of 19 percent (faster than the average for all careers) between 2008 and 2018.

While all this is good news for aspiring interior designers, students should prepare themselves to face a competitive job market. Getting the right interior design education and experience will give you an advantage.

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Interior Design Career Paths

If you find the variety, flexibility and creativity of an interior design job appealing, you’ll be happy to know that this is no one-size-fits-all career. You can customize your interior design career to fit your interests and working style. Here are some things to consider:

Self Employment vs. Design Firms

Many interior designers are self-employed or do contract work on top of their jobs at design firms. When deciding where you want to work, you must evaluate the risks and rewards for yourself.

Work Hours – If you are self-employed or work for a small firm, you are more likely to work flexible hours as you adjust your schedule around your clients' needs and deadlines. If you start your interior design career in a large design firm, you will probably have more predictable hours.
Environment – Large design firms may have the resources for a more comfortable work environment and state-of-the-art equipment. They also have established connections with related firms and specialists. This can be an important consideration for anyone starting an interior design career.
Clients – If you are self-employed, you may have more say in which jobs you take; however, you are responsible for finding your own clients and connections.

Interior Design Career Specialties

As your interior design career progresses, you may discover a preference for one type of interior design over another. You can specialize in designing for corporate settings, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals or other health care facilities, or you may decide to focus on residential design. You may even narrow your focus further to kitchens or bathrooms, for example.

If you like choosing colors and fabrics, but would rather not handle the nitty-gritty details, such as safety codes, you may want to be an interior decorator rather than an interior designer. Although many people use the terms interchangeably, interior decorating is less technical than interior design.

Read more about interior design specialties.