Interior Design Courses

Interior design is a creative profession that allows designers to unleash their full potential. Just a few years ago, it was believed that one could only learn this trade through university programs, specialized courses, or workshops. However, with the development of digital technologies, studying this profession has become accessible online. You can even start from scratch, without prior knowledge of design.

But is it so? Can one truly learn interior design without understanding colors, fabrics, textures, materials, finishing work, and space planning? Experts say yes, it is possible — but not always. To become a practicing interior designer, it is essential to choose high-quality interior design courses. However, if you’re exploring whether this profession is right for you, you can start with free beginner interior design courses offered by successful training centers.

The Demand for Specialists

Learning to design interiors from scratch became popular 10-15 years ago. People began to hire designers to create interiors in apartments, houses, cafes, bars, nightclubs, and even educational institutions. Today, this demand continues despite the abundance of sketches, templates, and designs available for free online. Interior designers face no shortage of clients, and one of the main advantages of the profession is the high pay.

Interior Design Profession Online

If you decide to pursue this profession from scratch, it’s important to understand that the work requires mastering several graphic programs. Visualization of the design project is essential, enabling clients to assess the benefits and see the result before any work begins. Here are some of the required programs:

• Archicad: Software for developing technical drawings, commonly used for room redesign. It allows the creation of sketches in 3D format.
• Photoshop: Used to create collages, apply textures, shadows, and gradients, and recreate materials.
• 3ds Max: A primary tool for creating realistic visualizations of future interiors. Its downside is the difficulty of self-learning.
• SketchUp: A program for creating project visualizations. Easier to use than 3ds Max, it is often preferred by novice designers.

In addition to these, it’s important to understand the basics of product promotion, advertising, and professional growth. IT and Digital Courses can complement this knowledge. All these training programs can be completed remotely, offering flexibility for students to choose their schedules, study from anywhere in the world, and earn a diploma or certificate. However, it’s crucial to select a reputable design school whose diploma is valued by employers and clients. Explore online interior design courses in our rankings.

Paid and Free Courses

Given the abundance of free learning materials online, many believe that free courses are sufficient to become an interior designer. However, this is not entirely true. Free courses are excellent for familiarizing oneself with the profession and learning the basics. They are suitable for those unsure about pursuing interior design and want to understand the nuances of the field. Keep in mind that free online courses for beginners provide only general knowledge. Don’t trust ads claiming you’ll be able to start earning after just 10 days of training — this is merely a marketing strategy.

While such courses are not highly informative, they can be helpful if you’re entirely new to the field and want to explore it. Many reputable online schools offer these introductory lessons to those who wish to study design from scratch. After completing a free course, it’s advisable to continue learning at a reputable school or online university.

Curriculum

Training in interior design from scratch involves more than 5-10 lessons. A comprehensive program typically lasts 3-6 months. A good online course for beginners includes topics such as:

• Introduction to the profession
• Color theory and its application in interiors
• Style development
• Types of drawings, layouts, and their purposes
• Room measurements and material calculations
• Room ergonomics
• Working with various types of spaces
• Redevelopment rules
• Spatial thinking
• Finishing materials and techniques
• Furniture and lighting
• 3D visualization
• Budgeting for projects
• Project presentation
• Author’s supervision

The curriculum also includes classes on design software and 3D visualization. Some programs offer bonus content, such as lectures by professional designers, seminars, and webinars. Examples of comprehensive programs are available on platforms like Coursera (visit the website) and Udemy (visit the website).

Interior Design Online: Pros and Cons

Both paid and free courses have advantages and disadvantages. To become a professional designer it is better to opt for paid courses. Their benefits include:

• Comprehensive programs: Paid courses offer an extended curriculum that is regularly updated to reflect market trends.
• Practical exercises: These programs combine theory and practice. You’ll work on real design projects under a mentor’s guidance and graduate with a portfolio to showcase to clients.
• Teacher support: Paid courses often provide direct access to instructors for feedback, advice, and clarification.
• Certification: A diploma or certificate from a recognized school boosts client trust.

The main drawback of paid courses is their cost. However, many schools offer installment payment plans to ease the financial burden.

Free courses have their benefits:

• Introduction to the field: These courses are perfect for those exploring the profession.
• Flexible scheduling: Lessons are pre-recorded, allowing you to study at your convenience.

The downsides of free courses include the lack of certification, limited depth of knowledge, and no interaction with instructors.

What to Choose?

If your goal is to learn interior design for personal projects or home renovations, free courses might be enough. However, if you aim to work professionally, it’s better to enroll in paid beginner courses. These will teach you design and visualization, show you how to find clients, market your services, build a team, and oversee construction work effectively.

Both paid and free training options are available in online design schools. If you’re unsure where to study, refer to our rankings, read reviews, and check feedback from other students. If you’ve attended any school in our rankings, share your experience by leaving a review after registering on our website. You can also explore ratings of web design, internet marketing, web development, and other courses.