Things I Wish I Knew About Becoming an Interior Designer

So, you want to be an interior designer… and you’re probably thinking, “Do I need a degree?” or “Which courses should I take?” Maybe you’re a little further along in life and wondering, “Is it too late for me to even start?”

Here’s the truth: you absolutely can do this without a degree. College is overrated for this career, in my opinion. It’s a business designed to make money, and honestly, it doesn’t fully prepare you with the real-world tools you need to succeed. Unless you’re planning to become a doctor (in which case, please, stay in school), you don’t need a degree to make it in interior design, and even in states where it technically helps, there are workarounds.

Let’s break down some of the top questions I get about starting a design career without a degree.

How to Open an LLC for Your Interior Design Business

Thinking about starting your own firm? First things first: don’t pay a third-party site to file your LLC. You can do it yourself through your state’s official government website. Look for the .gov URL to make sure you’re in the right place. Filing usually costs under $200, and all you need is some basic info and an address. That’s it. No need to hand over money to anyone else for this. Keep it simple and smart.

What College Courses Actually Matter

If you’re eyeing college prerequisites, here’s my take: focus on psychology. Surprised? Interior design isn’t just about making rooms look pretty. You need to understand how people feel, why they feel it, and how environments affect their mood. Designing with purpose means getting into the heads of the people who will live, work, or shop in your spaces. Nail that, and your designs will hit the mark every time.

What Design Firms Really Look For on Your Resume

When it comes to your resume or CV, firms are looking at three main things:

• Attention to detail: Typos or sloppy formatting? Instant red flag.

• Technical skills: Can you use the programs required for the role? Take the free quiz to see which ones fit your goals and what you need to know.

• Aesthetic effort: If your resume doesn’t look polished, how will you design beautiful spaces?

  • And one last thing: Your portfolio speaks louder than any degree. A well-curated portfolio showing your eye for design will always matter more than where you went to school.

    
    

So, what’s next? If you’re ready to really dive into this career and get hands-on with interior design, I put together the Degree-less Designer Crash Course. It’s everything I wish I had when I started: practical, step-by-step guidance minus the fluff.

I also created the Complete Workflow Guide & Blueprint for Interior Designers. This is my company guide, built over the years, showing how to run a smooth, professional firm. It’s full transparency, exactly what we use in our processes, now ready for you.

Use code DDBLOGREADER for 20% off. I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!

XO,

Shira