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Interior designer

Alternative titles for this job include

Interior designers plan the internal layout and decoration of public, commercial and residential buildings and spaces.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Interior designer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

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

  • interior design
  • art and design
  • interior architecture
  • spatial design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

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College

You could complete a college course, which may help you afterwards with applications for design assistant jobs or university courses. Examples include:

  • interior design
  • art and design
  • T Level in Craft and Design

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

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Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Furniture Design Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which may lead into an interior design assistant role.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

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

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Work

You could start as an interior design assistant with a company. With further training and qualifications you could become an interior designer.

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Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Institute of Interior Design for professional development and to make contacts in the industry.

Further information

You can get more details about careers and training in interior design from the British Institute of Interior Design and The Society of British and International Interior Design.

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
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • 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 an interior designer, you could:

  • work with clients to understand their ideas and what they want
  • advise on use of space, colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
  • prepare detailed 2D and 3D plans using design software
  • provide estimates for materials, work and timescales for different design options
  • find suppliers of fittings, furniture, fabrics, and wall and floor coverings
  • draw up instructions for contractors, or act as a project manager from start to finish

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home, in a creative studio or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you might move into related work, for example:

  • theatre set design
  • visual merchandising
  • exhibition design
  • lighting design
  • furniture design
  • ergonomics

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 an Interior 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

Foundation Degree in Interior and Spatial Design (Full Time)

  • Provider: HUGH BAIRD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Liverpool

Interior Design Level 6 BA (Hons)

  • Provider: SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 18 September 2025
  • Location: Southend-on-Sea
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