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Furniture designer

Alternative titles for this job include

Furniture designers use their creative skills to develop products from cabinets, beds and chairs through to one-off pieces for clients.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • product and furniture design
  • 3D design crafts
  • interior design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course in furniture design or furniture making, or a T Level in Craft and Design.

Courses like these would teach you some of the skills you'll need and could help you to get a job as a design assistant or trainee with a furniture making company.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for a place on a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Fitted Furniture Design Technician
  • Bespoke Furniture Maker
  • New Furniture Product Developer

These can take around 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Career tips

You'll need to create a portfolio of work to showcase your design skills to potential employers or customers.

You can go to design fairs and exhibitions to keep up to date with current trends in furniture design.

You can also follow organisations and designers that interest you on social media and through online design and craft forums.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Society of Designers to get access to professional development training, technical advice and information about setting up your own business.

Further information

You can learn more about a career in furniture design from My Furniture Career.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a furniture designer, you could:

  • research and develop new design ideas
  • work to a plan or 'brief' agreed with the client
  • calculate costs, timings and types of materials for a job
  • sketch ideas by hand or using computer-aided design (CAD) software
  • make and test models and prototypes
  • work with manufacturers on mass produced products
  • present new pieces at industry design and trade shows

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio, from home or in a workshop.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior designer with a company, or specialise in a particular area, like ergonomics or bespoke designs.

You could also set up your own design consultancy.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a furniture designer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Diploma Level 3 Furniture Design and Making

  • Provider: MOULTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Northampton

Furniture Design and Making Level 3 Diploma

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Pulborough
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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