Interior Designers

Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.

$63,490
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+3% projected 2024โ€“2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Interior designers transform empty or outdated spaces into functional, attractive environments that meet their clients' specific needs. They work closely with homeowners, business owners, architects, and contractors to create cohesive design plans for residential homes, corporate offices, restaurants, retail stores, hospitals, and other buildings. Their day-to-day work involves sketching design concepts, selecting color schemes, choosing furniture and fixtures, and coordinating materials like flooring, window treatments, and lighting. They measure spaces, create floor plans using specialized software, and present design options to clients through drawings, mood boards, and 3D renderings. Interior designers spend time visiting showrooms and suppliers to stay current on products and trends, meeting with clients to understand their vision and budget, and visiting job sites to oversee installation and ensure their designs are executed properly. Successful interior designers combine artistic creativity with practical problem-solving skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. They must understand building codes and safety regulations while balancing aesthetics with functionality. The work requires managing multiple projects simultaneously and often involves irregular hours to accommodate client schedules and project deadlines.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Housing and Human Environments(masters)University of Georgia, GA
$67,913
Housing and Human Environments(bachelors)Brigham Young University, UT
$67,737
Housing and Human Environments(bachelors)CUNY New York City College of Technology, NY
$64,192
Interior Architecture(masters)Drexel University, PA
$60,152
Apparel and Textiles(bachelors)Central Washington University, WA
$51,494
Apparel and Textiles(bachelors)Utah State University, UT
$51,221
Interior Architecture(bachelors)University of North Texas, TX
$50,681
Apparel and Textiles(bachelors)Indiana University-Bloomington, IN
$50,264
Interior Architecture(bachelors)California State University-Sacramento, CA
$50,108
Apparel and Textiles(bachelors)University of Delaware, DE
$47,760
Interior Architecture(bachelors)University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE
$46,293
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Chatham University, PA
$45,785
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO
$45,774
Interior Architecture(masters)Florida International University, FL
$45,730
Interior Architecture(bachelors)The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, TN
$45,448
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Texas Tech University, TX
$45,345
Environmental Design(bachelors)Auburn University, AL
$44,929
Interior Architecture(bachelors)La Roche University, PA
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, WI
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Concordia University-Wisconsin, WI
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Anderson University, SC
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Kansas State University, KS
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Mount Mary University, WI
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Indiana University-Bloomington, IN
$44,811
Interior Architecture(bachelors)Louisiana Tech University, LA
$44,811

Related Careers

Other occupations in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media