If you watch HGTV, you might have a few ideas about a career as an interior designer. However, many of these makeover shows with $500,000 budgets don’t give an accurate portrayal of the profession.
If you want to succeed as an interior designer – whether you’re working on a room makeover or modern fireplace design – please remember the ideas mentioned below.
Business Sense
Many beginner interior designers are fascinated by the occupation because interior design is a form of art. You’re taking a room and transforming it into something more functional and beautiful. But never forget: You’re operating a business.
Some say running an interior design company is similar to an iceberg. All the ‘fun’ work you do with the clients is just the tip. But there’s so much more under the surface. It’s important to embrace that part of the career, too.
Experienced interior designers point out that you need to have your business processes and systems established from the first day. When you have more clients coming on board, it can be challenging to stay on top of the myriad administrative tasks in a thriving company.
Some designers also recommend starting as an interior designer for a company and learning how the business side runs. Once you’ve gained skill and experience in the field as well as in business administration, it might be time to go out on your own.
It’s More Than Just Design
When you operate your own company, you’re the CEO, HR manager, CFO, driver, and more. You’ll need to handle all of these tasks when it’s just you. But when you take on employees, you’ll figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are.
You can shore up your weaker areas by bringing in an administrative assistant or web designer, for example. If you need help with accounting, you can hire a CPA to handle your financials and tax records.
If you attempt to be a jack of all trades when you expand and grow, essential things will slip through the cracks.
Get Your Credentials and Education
Experienced designers stress the need to continue your interior design education constantly and get your certification. By doing these things, you can set yourself apart from other designers. Those designers may be good at choosing paint and fabrics, but you’ll be ahead of them if you become certified as an interior designer.
Also, if you don’t know CAD, take some classes. Many designers find it challenging to find professional designers who can put together construction blueprints and documents. If you have these skills, your business will be much better off.
It’s About People, Too
There is a tendency in this field to focus only on the aesthetic aspects of interior design. But experienced professionals point out that it’s as much about the clients, too.
Good designers should enjoy getting to know their clients, finding out how they work, live, and want to improve their lives with better home designers. When you design with clients, you might find that you discover life-long friends.
But building these relationships means you have to do projects with people that you enjoy. Everyone has their tastes and personalities, so you probably cannot be a good designer fit for every person that calls you.
Figure out what your design niche is, including the types of people with whom you enjoy working.
Income Can Vary
Interior design can be done with all types of people and entities: Builders, homeowners, government organizations, healthcare facilities, you name it. The areas in which you specialize and live can affect your salary. Median salaries for interior designers are about $56,000, but top designers can make more than $100,000 per year.
Now that you know much more about interior design, we hope you’re ready to explore this fascinating career further.
