Interior Designers work with different clients to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and safe. They use their creative skills to visualise how spaces will look, and create design plans that make their clients happy.
Interior designers not only work with their clients but also work with other professionals such as architects, contractors, and many others to actualise the project plan. Interior designers use a trained eye and a creative mindset to devise solutions that clients may not have ever imagined. They pay attention to the tiniest details that will transform a space into a haven that looks polished and pulled together. Click one of the links below to learn what exactly interior designers do and their day-to-day:
- How are interior designers different from interior decorators
- How much can interior designers earn?
- What is an interior designer's work environment like?
- How long are the work days and work weeks?
- What does a day in the life of an interior designer look like?
- Is it expensive to become a designer?
- Is the interior design job market growing?
Interior designers aren’t to be confused with interior decorators
When researching what an interior designer does, you might be wondering what makes the profession different from interior decorating. The terms interior designer and interior decorator are commonly used interchangeably but in reality, they are two different careers. Put simply, interior decorators focus on working with an existing space, rather than designing the space, to begin with. Interior designers also work with a higher level of technicality. The scope of interior designers ranges from the budgeting and planning stage, all the way to the final furnishing and decorating stages. Dive deeper into the differences between interior designers and decorators by reading “Interior Designer vs. Decorator: Which Is The Career For You?”.
How much can interior designers earn?
Anyone researching a day in the life of an interior designer is likely interested in how much one can earn. According to Indeed, the average base salary for interior designers in 2023 was £37,240. However, the earning potential for interior design business owners is quite lucrative, as 64% of them surveyed by Houzz in 2022 reported earning more than £79,000 in annual business revenue in the previous year. There are a wide variety of factors such as education, years of experience, and location that influence how much an interior designer can earn. For a more detailed breakdown of these take a look at How Much Do Interior Designers Make next.
What is the work environment like?
In order to understand what exactly interior designers do, it’s important to consider that designers have many different work settings available to them. According to a Houzz 2022 survey, 91% of interior designers surveyed worked at an interior design firm. Working at an interior design firm can be a great option for those who are just starting their interior design career but that is just one of the options available to you. Some interior designers choose self-employment because of their independence. If you are looking to work from home self-employed interior designers will typically have the greatest flexibility in the work location. You can also choose to seek employment with the government, architectural firms, and even retail businesses. For a more detailed breakdown of the employment options available to interior designers, take a look at Where Do Interior Designers Work.
What does a day in the life of an interior designer look like?
Understanding what an interior designer does on a typical day can be helpful to determine if an interior design career is right for you. Like any other project-based career, an interior designer’s day-to-day schedule can differ depending on the stage of their projects. For example, if you are in the beginning stages of a project your day might consist of meeting with clients, using software to create a detailed room design, and sourcing materials. Other examples of the typical duties of an interior designer include:
- Consulting and communicating with new clients
- Creating presentations and reports for clients
- Visiting project locations
- Meeting with contractors
- Shopping for project materials and furniture
As you can see a day in the life of an interior designer is more than just fluffing pillows and looking at paint swatches. Interior design is a robust career that requires great communication skills, attention to detail, and creativity.
Who do interior designers work with?
It’s hard to answer the question “What does an interior designer do?” without underscoring how many different professions a designer will interact with on a weekly basis. Interior design is a highly collaborative career field that requires you to work with a variety of professionals in order to make spaces functional, safe, and beautiful. For example, interior designers typically work with architects when structural changes such as building or remodelling are involved. During the span of one project, an interior designer could work with engineers, decorators, builders/developers, and different contractors. Read Who Do Interior Designers Work With for an in-depth description of all of the different collaboration opportunities that interior designers have with other home professionals.
Is it expensive to become an interior designer?
The average cost to become an interior designer was £9,871 from 2022-2023. There are a few different paths you can take to become an interior designer which will affect the overall cost. If you take the traditional route and get a degree you will spend most of your money on tuition and fees. Formal education is not required to have a career in interior design but can help you gain valuable experience. For a more detailed cost breakdown read How Much Does It Cost to Become an Interior Designer?
Is the interior design job market growing?
Learning what interior designers do might be even more interesting after you understand how demand for the field is growing! According to IBISWorld, the market size of Interior Design activities in the UK is expected to increase in 2023 by 3.6%. Indeed currently has over 5000 jobs posted related to Interior Design. Discover more about the interior designer job market by reading our next guide: Are Interior Designers in Demand?
Conclusion
The first step to considering a career in interior design is taking the time to understand what interior designers do and all of the different things it takes to become an interior designer. Continue your interior design journey by exploring the Pros and Cons of Being an Interior Designer.
