Do you have a strong taste for creativity and the layout of interior spaces? Do you have good interpersonal skills and enjoy taking on challenges? The Interior Decorator Job Could Be For You! An unregulated profession, it attracts both students and professionals to retrain. Mission, training, advice: we explain everything to you!
What is an interior decorator?
Interior decorator is an expert in the layout of covered spaces. It can be private housing (houses or apartments), but can also be commercial premises such as offices or shops. Some decorators also work on events.
The goal of an interior designer is purely aesthetic. It is a question of playing on materials, colours, lighting and furniture arrangement to create a pleasant and harmonious space. Unlike the architect, the interior designer works neither on the building, nor on the shell.
After taking stock of the client’s needs, expectations and budget, the decorator works on the specifications. Then, he proposes plans (drawing freehand or using software), as well as models in 2D or 3D. The decorator presents his client with ideas for materials, colors or even furniture. Lastly, he takes care of contacting the craftsmen and monitoring the progress of the project.
What training to become an interior decorator?
The profession of interior decorator is not regulated. This means there is no compulsion to graduate to practice. On the other hand, it is strongly advised to follow training courses for several reasons:
- Knowledge : Training is essential to master the techniques inherent in the profession of an interior decorator.
- Confidence : If you can demonstrate quality training, it will be easier for clients to assign their project to you.
- discrimination : In a competitive environment, pursuing a professional training or having a diploma will give you a significant advantage.
Many BTS in Space Design, Schools of Fine Arts, or Applied Arts offer courses that allow you to follow training courses suited to the profession of an interior decorator. Some courses can even be taken online!
What are the self-employment options to become an interior decorator?
There are many legal conditions suitable for this professional activity. The status of auto-entrepreneur is especially appreciated by interior designers. And for good reason! Flexible, it allows you to benefit from reduction in administrative costs and obligations in terms of accounting. To qualify, your annual turnover must not exceed €72,600 per year.
If you don’t want to limit your turnover but self-employment status appeals to you, you can opt for a Single-Person Limited Liability Company (EURL), or a Single-Person Simplified Joint-Stock Company (SASU) Huh. These options also allow you to protect your personal assets, but they carry a heavy administrative burden.
After all, interior design is a profession that is practiced even as an employee!
What qualities and skills are required to become an interior decorator?
Interior design is first and foremost a creative profession. That’s why you need to have a taste for style and a certain artistic sense. Knowing how to combine materials and colors harmoniously, and being aware of the latest trends is essential to success.
To satisfy your customers, you’ll also need good interpersonal skills. Listening to their needs and expectations, demonstrating quality in conversation and mentoring is essential in a business where your clients entrust you with important projects in their daily lives.
Rigidity, thoroughness and simplicity are also important, especially when developing plans. Mastering the art of freehand drawing, as well as various design aid software, are essential skills to become a good interior decorator.
6 Tips for Success as an Interior Designer
study the market
The interior decor market is dynamic. Since the health crisis, many people have become aware of the importance of wellbeing at home. Before getting started, it is fundamental to know the trends in the field as well as the needs of your potential customers in order to insert yourself into the market with relevance and optimize your services. Also find out about the competitors in your area and their offers!
work on your finances
If you choose to be self-employed, you will need to consider your finances carefully. Following your market study, the production of a business plan, and in particular a financial forecast, is recommended for several reasons:
- sustainability Estimating your future income and expenses as accurately as possible will ensure better visibility and consistency in managing your finances.
- credit : If you want to take a business loan from a bank, presenting a financial forecast will assure your banker and help you get the loan more easily.
Finally, keep in mind that your self-employment status allows you to set your rates independently! On average, an interior decorator’s hourly rate is between 80€ and 150€.
Build an Attractive Portfolio
Your portfolio, or book of achievements, is a showcase of your work. It allows you to show and highlight your past projects, your references, to your potential clients. Hence it is necessary to take care of it to attract your future customers. When you start your activity, you can highlight your own interior, or interfere with your loved ones for example. As your projects progress, your portfolio will naturally grow. It’s important to have a professional, clear and enjoyable book to browse through!
Choose Between Self Employed and Salaried
Before starting a profession, the choice between independence and salaried employment is important: each position has its own advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand, independence is the most common position among interior designers. This gives you more flexibility in choosing your clients, your rates and your working hours. However, your income depends on your activity and therefore is not fixed and fixed.
On the other hand, being an employee gives you more security and stability in your work environment and your income. On the other hand, you have less freedom in terms of your activity.
find your customers
In the interior decorating area, word of mouth is especially effective! The first step is to organize your personal and professional network. Again, we advise you to get closer to real estate agencies, craftsmen and architects working in your geographic area: these can be valuable intermediaries in finding clients. Finally, attend trade fairs. This will allow you to make yourself known and expand your network.
Communicate about the launch of your activity
Communication is essential around your business. You need to enhance your work by highlighting your first achievements through your portfolio. Building and verifying your online presence is also an effective way to communicate about your business. Blog, professional website, professional social network… The range of tools available to you is wide! Finally, consider leaving business cards with craftspeople or advertising them in specialty press.
What are the other requirements to become an interior decorator?
open a business bank account
It is strongly recommended to open a professional bank account as part of your interior decorating activity. Depending on the position you choose, this may be an obligation. The latter will make it possible to separate your professional and personal functions, as well as to appoint any co-agent.
Subscribe to Good Insurance
If you decide to go freelance, you will need to take out professional liability insurance. The latter is used to cover any risk or damage that may occur in the course of your activity. Also, to protect yourself from potential disputes with your clients, it can be interesting to opt for legal protection. Finally, it’s important to tailor your insurance to your activity: for example, if you’re storing equipment, it’s wise to take out stock insurance, or even multi-exposure insurance for goods.
Equip yourself with the right tools
To be able to meet the needs of your clients, you will need to own and master software specializing in interior decoration. For example, we can think of computer-aided design (CAD) software, which allows you to create plans and visualizations in 2D or 3D.
In addition, if you begin your activity as a freelancer, you will need to equip yourself with tools such as accounting and invoicing software, or even a planning manager. This will allow you to ensure the daily operation of your business.
questions to ask
What training to become an interior decorator?
It is not mandatory to follow a training course to be able to practice as an interior decorator. However, they come highly recommended! Schools of fine arts, applied arts, and some BTS allow you to train in the trade, and sometimes even earn a diploma.
What are the self-employment options to become an interior decorator?
If you want to start self-employment but self-employment doesn’t suit you, other positions exist, such as EURL, or SASU. Another possibility is being an employee of an interior design firm. Salaried employment and self-employed positions have different advantages and disadvantages: it’s up to you which option suits you best!
What skills are needed to become an interior designer?
A good interior decorator has a solid sense of connection and a strong taste for creativity and harmony of spaces. It is also necessary to give you training in the operation of design software and the creation of plans.