Certified Interior Decorators
Interested in learning how to become an interior decorator? Interior decorators select and arrange decor for the home, including furniture and lighting. They work closely with clients to ensure that their vision for a room or home space is well conceived and executed. As decorators often travel to clients' homes, they should have a personable and professional demeanor and flexible schedule. Full time work is available and hours are flexible.
| Degree Level | Certificate program completed at an accredited or approved school |
| Degree Field | Interior decorating |
| Certification | Voluntary certification to become a CID |
| Key Skills | Artistic, creative, and detail-oriented personality; personable demeanor; proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software |
| Median Annual Salary (2020)** | $39,004 |
| Job Outlook | -5% (2019-2029) (for interior designers)* |
Sources: Certified Interior Decorators International, *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Payscale.com
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Interior Decorator Job Duties
Interior decorator job duties include the following:
- Communicating with clients about their desires for a space
- Organizing a budget for a project with the client's agreement
- Creating sample designs
- Selecting and purchasing furniture, paint, and other items
- Assembling furniture and decorating a space
- Creating a space that matches the client's vision and meets their needs
How to Become a Professional Decorator
Interior decorators share some of the same job duties with interior designers, but becoming a designer requires bachelor's degree and may require a license. If you are interested in learning how to become an interior designer, these job duties may be relevant to you, but they are not a complete answer to the question ''how do you become an interior designer?'' On the other hand, interior decorators only need experience, or postsecondary training through an interior decorating certificate program which includes the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.
A Certified Interior Decorator (CID) can obtain his/her certification through Certified Interior Decorators International (www.cidinternational.org). Applicants must receive training from a CID-approved learning institute and pass the CID entrance exam.
Certification Paths
If you have been asking yourself ''how can I become an interior decorator?'' you should know that you need to begin with CID certification. There are two ways to become a Certified Interior Decorator (CID). Students can enroll in a CID-accredited interior-decorating program, which includes use of the CID study guide and membership exam; or they can complete a CID-approved course of study and apply for the exam separately. If students chose to complete an interior-decorating program that isn't accredited or approved by the CID, they can submit the program's curriculum to the Certified Interior Decorators International for review.
Aspiring interior decorators should choose their schools wisely. The CID interior decorator certification accredits only a few higher education institutions, some of which allow students to study entirely online.
Once an applicant earns certification, they have access to members-only sections of the CID website, which contain resources and networking opportunities. Professionals can also order drafting tools and other job-related products through the CID.
Program Length and Topics
Coursework in a CID accredited interior-decorating program covers topics in design, color theory, lighting, and floor plans. Aspiring decorators will also study the history of interior decorating, furniture styles, and business practices. Courses in drafting and CAD allow students to produce designs or sketches by hand and on a computer. Students may have to purchase some tools of the trade like drafting templates. Program lengths vary by institution from several months of full time attendance to two years of part-time study.
After completing the required coursework, applicants for professional membership in Certified Interior Decorators International must pass an exam. Memberships vary in length and must be renewed each year. Applicants can purchase the official CID study guide to help them prepare for the test. Exams can be mailed in or completed online.
Get a Job as an Assistant
When you are trying to break into the interior decorating career, consider getting a job as an assistant to an established decorator. This will give you firsthand knowledge of the kinds of work that you will be doing in your career and will also give you a number of potential networking opportunities.
Create a Portfolio
The final important step that you can take in becoming an interior decorator is to create your own portfolio. This will be a lot easier if you have already worked as an assistant or if you have redecorated your own living space. Creating a portfolio involves taking professional pictures of a space before and after your work on it is completed, as well as creating sample spaces to explain how you would deploy your skills.
Personal Skills Required
The following are just a few of the most important skills for interior decorators to cultivate:
- Attention to detail
- Excellent design sense
- Knowledge of current trends
- Communication and listening skills
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Basic construction and assembly skills
- Ability to work within creative constraints
Pros and Cons
| Aspects of the Job | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Self-directed work | Independence | Lack of assistance |
| Creative redecoration | Artistic expression | Necessity of foregrounding client desires |
| Self-employment | Relative freedom | Some job stability uncertainty |
| Working within a budget | Making a big difference with relatively little money | Not going over budget can be challenging |
Salary
According to Payscale.com, in December 2020 interior decorators earned an average salary of $39,004. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report directly on interior decorators, but it did report in May of 2019 that interior designers made a median annual salary of $56,040 and had a projected job outlook of -5% between 2019 and 2029.
Certified interior decorators choose and arrange décor for homes, including furniture and lighting. Certification can be obtained through Certified Interior Decorators International, after which CIDs who work 40 hours a week may earn a median annual wage of $39,004 a year, as reported by Payscale.com.
