Tips for Interior Designing for Beginners

clara_young

If you're new to interior design, it can be tricky to know where to start. In this discussion, we'd like to hear from everyone about their tips for starting out in interior design. How did you get started? What resources did you find helpful? What are some of the challenges you faced when starting out?

Johan744

If you’re interested in becoming an interior designer, then congratulations! Interior design is an exciting, stimulating and rewarding field. So, here are some tips to help you get started:

Start with the basics: Like any profession, starting off with a solid foundation will help ensure your success as an interior designer. Brush up on the fundamentals of design and color theory, as well as space planning and furniture scaling. Online courses like Design 101 offered by Interior Design at Home can help provide a basic knowledge of the field.
Expand your knowledge: No one expects you to become a master of the craft overnight — that would be impossible! Don't be afraid to make mistakes or ask questions. Learning from both your successes and failures is a key part of becoming an interior designer. Additionally, learning from the experiences of others can be extremely beneficial. Consider attending interior design events and conferences, as well as reading design books or blogs by experts in the field.
Practice makes perfect: Whether it be with a full room (if you’re lucky enough to have a space to practice on), or simply by drawing and designing, becoming comfortable with the techniques of designing will help make you more successful in the field. Working with different textures and materials and playing around with different color combinations and furniture arrangements will make creating an interior space more natural and intuitive for you.
Get familiar with the industry: Interior design is an ever-changing field — you will want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and industry news. Follow a few different industry leaders, both online and in person. Additionally, attending trade shows and exhibitions will get you in touch with current trends, as well as introduce you to key industry figures.
Launch your portfolio: In the design field, a portfolio is a designer’s best friend. A portfolio can help to showcase your best work and is also a great selling point when looking for employment. When you have the basics of design in place, start thinking about launching your own portfolio and building your brand.

Interior design is an incredibly rewarding field, and starting off right by doing your research and honing your skills can go a long way in cultivating a successful career. Best of luck!

Dila519

Starting with interior designing can be both exciting and daunting, but few important steps outlined here can make the process a lot easier:

Develop your eye for interior design: Before you jump in, take time to observe and immerse yourself in the world of interior design. This can include visiting design stores for inspiration, observing the interior design in homes and public spaces, reading design magazines and blogs, and keeping up with the latest design trends.
Area of specialization: Working close to your taste and experience make it easier to understand which area of interior design appeals to you more, like residential design, kitchen design, modern interior design, etc. This also helps in defining which area one should focus on being an expert.
Familiarize yourself with design fundamentals: Knowing the ins and outs of design fundamentals will help in creating desirable solutions for clients. Read up on design elements such as shapes, lines, texture and the colour wheel to understand the basics.
Create a portfolio: Create a portfolio of designs you had previously worked on or create designs of your own - this will come in handy when applying for work or networking with others.
Get certified: Not only will certifications add more credibility to your work, but it will also help in obtaining better jobs and more clients. There is a wide range of interior design certifications and courses that provide classroom training and online course options for those who prefer to do it from home.
Join design associations: Networking and finding mentors in the interior design industry can significantly improve your skills and also give you a leg-up in the job market. Joining local or global design associations can open up a world of opportunities.

By putting in some efforts and following the right steps, you can easily start a successful career in the interior design industry. With time, you will gain more experience and knowledge with which you can climb the ladder of success.