Interior designer
Create the look for rooms in homes, offices, hotels, restaurants and shops so they are attractive places to live and work.
About the job
A day in the life – Interior designer
What it's like
You would plan and supervise the decoration of people’s homes, offices, hotels, shops and restaurants so they are attractive places to live and work.
It would be your job to come up with designs for the inside of buildings. You’d ask your clients what they’re going to use the room for and create a scheme that is practical as well as beautiful.
You would:
Meet clients to discuss their requirements and ideas
Develop designs to suit clients' needs, their budget and the type of building
Prepare initial sketches or models for the client to approve
Advise on colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
Work out costs and prepare estimates
Create detailed drawings from the initial sketches, usually using computer-aided design (CAD)
Find fittings, furniture, fabrics, and wall and floor coverings
The client may ask you to recommend or hire people to carry out the work on site.
If so, then you’d contact the necessary people, explain the requirements and schedule the work. You’d need to organise deliveries of the materials and supervise the progress of the work, sorting out unforeseen problems.
As well as being creative and artistic, you will also need to make sure you are organised and aware of building and safety regulations.
Hours
You may need to work long, irregular hours, which could include evenings and weekends.
Environment
You will usually be based in a studio, but will also spend a lot of time visiting clients and sites. As a freelance designer, you may work from home, share offices or rent a studio.
Travel
You will spend a lot of time visiting clients and sites.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Digital technologies Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- sketchup (3d modeling software)
- design software
- design studio
- mood boards
- furniture fixtures and equipment (ff&e)
- interior architecture
- space planning
- material selection
- enscape (vr rendering software)
- floor planning
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- creative
- designing
- researching
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- making decisions
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Design and Manufacture
Graphic Communication
Foundation Apprenticeship: Creative and Digital Media
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Most interior designers have a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in Interior Design, 3D Design or Art and Design.
You can enter some Interior Design, Art and Design or 3D Design National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF level 5) with no formal qualifications but most courses require National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCFQ level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.
A portfolio of your work when applying to courses and to jobs.
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