Imagine you have a career in which you can use your creativity to make homes and businesses more beautiful and comfortable. Welcome to the world of interior decoration!
There are several professions that offer many benefits. As an interior decorator, you will be satisfied that your appearance will be a reality. You will meet interesting people, and because many people who hire interior decorators are wealthy, you will probably spend time in many beautiful houses and businesses.
When you start your own decorating business, you can enjoy the freedom to be your own boss. And perhaps most importantly, your “work” can be fun, interesting and rewarding.
As long as you have the desire, you can be an interior decorator.
No special training or experience is required to enter and succeed in this career. (Unlike becoming a certified interior designer with strict requirements, including two to five years of post-secondary education in interior design.)
You can become an interior designer immediately.
If interior decoration seems like the career of your dreams, here are 10 steps to get into this great job, based on the FabJob Guide to Becoming Interior Decorator published on FabJob.com:
Because you are interested in a career as an interior decorator, it is likely that you have a “good eye” for design. In other words, when you look at the room, you can see what looks good and what can be improved.
But regardless of any natural talent, you can continue to “sharpen your eye” by studying what people think is good design.
Find beautifully decorated interiors that you can look at.
You can find many examples of beautiful interiors in design magazines or in your own community by visiting showrooms, open days for sale in affluent neighborhoods, furniture showrooms, historic houses, art galleries and the offices of professionals such as interior decorators and business lawyers.
Interior decorators are expected to know about the various elements involved in decoration, such as: space planning (how to arrange furniture and other objects in a particular space), use of colors and lights, furniture and decoration styles (eg colonial or south-west); floors . , wall tiling, window treatments and the use of accessories such as pillows and art.
You can learn the basics of decorating through courses, books, websites and even by talking to sellers of products used in home decor (paints, carpets, lighting, hardware, etc.)
Most interior decorators gain their first experience with decorating when working on their own homes.
Even if you only have a small room to experiment, you can gain “practical” experience with different decorating techniques. For example, you can quickly and cheaply make a unique renovation of each room by simply placing furniture or painting the walls in a new color.
Try it! Experiment with techniques you would not normally use. Think of this room as your “research lab” where you can test things before recommending them to the customer. Your friends and family may have asked you for decorating advice, but if they haven’t asked you to decorate their homes or businesses yet, why not offer one?
Other opportunities that your family or friends might want to paint are when they experience transitions of life, such as: wedding or living together (help unite their two homes into one), moving to a new home, childbirth (nursery offer.) , organizing special events such as a wedding or party, starting a business from home (you can decorate their new office) and selling a house (explain how a well decorated house can attract buyers).
A portfolio is a collection of examples of your work, along with all the other documents that can help show why someone should hire you. The most important part of an interior decorator’s portfolio is photos of the interior you furnish, so make sure you take pictures of every space you furnish “before” and “after”. Select 15-20 photos of the work you’re proud of and organize them into a photo album or portfolio.
Your portfolio may also include letters of recommendation and “design boards” (poster boards where you can place photos and samples of materials such as fabrics, floors, wallpaper, etc.)
Even if you plan to start your own business in the field of interior decoration, you can learn about the company and meet potential clients by starting to work in this industry.
Companies that hire people with decorative talent include home builders, furniture and home appliance manufacturers, hotel and restaurant chains, retailers (furniture stores, repair shops), houses, antique dealers, home appliance stores, etc.), including interior design companies and decorations. . .
To get a job, you need to prepare a resume that highlights your decorating experience and any other skills the employer is looking for, such as customer service or organizational skills.
Many interior decorators dream of being their own boss. If this is your goal, then you need to decide on business matters such as your business name and whether or not you should include it. Free basic business advice is available from organizations such as U.S. Pat. Small business administration.
Many interior decorators choose to work from home when starting a business because it saves on office costs and, unlike many other types of businesses, you do not expect clients to come to you – usually you go to their home or office.
Suppliers are companies that provide the products and services you need to decorate. These include manufacturers of furniture, wall coverings, floors, fabrics and more. as well as contractors who paint, cut, install, etc. If you shop as a professional interior designer, you are entitled to a “design discount” of up to 50% of the normal selling price, which you can pass on to clients.
While some decorators pay an hourly rate or a flat fee, others pay a cost-plus. For example, if your product cost is 40% lower than the regular retail price, you can charge your customer an additional 20%, saving the customer an additional 20% of what they paid to purchase the same item for the store. . This opportunity to save money on decorating can persuade clients to hire you.
Your potential clients may include home builders, new home buyers, wealthy homeowners, professional couples, advertising agencies, art galleries, bed and breakfasts, boutiques, corporate headquarters, hotels, law firms, restaurants, spas and more. company.
One way to sell your services is by connecting with professionals who can recommend the company to you, such as real estate agents, architects, antique dealers, art dealers, home builders and business owners. Other marketing methods include creating a website with photos of the interior, which you decorate and get promoted in the home section of the local newspaper.
Successful interior decorators learn through new decoration techniques. If you have already started a business, you can further develop your skills by participating in exhibitions, reading decorative magazines and books, and by participating in professional associations. You can also impress clients and take advantage of the competition by getting certified as a professional interior decorator.