How to Start a Career in Interior Design
This is the very first time I’m opening up about how to start a career in interior design.
I’ve never really felt like the “right” person to give advice on this. I’m not famous, not the headliner at glossy industry events, and I don’t have a blue-ticked name in the design world (yet!). But recently, I’ve received more and more questions from people—some of you reading this—who are curious about how I got started, what worked for me, and what tips I might have for someone just beginning their own design journey.
So here it is. My very honest take.
I’m still learning, still growing, and probably always will be. But I’ve picked up some practical lessons along the way—things that genuinely helped me move forward when I had no clue where to begin.
The internet is overflowing with how to start a career in interior design guides. Some are helpful. Some are overwhelming. And I know from experience, when you’re standing at the very beginning, all you really want is one clear, doable next step.
So that’s what I’m sharing today. Not the “10 Steps to Insta-Fame as a Designer” kind of stuff, but real, grounded tips that helped me actually start. Hopefully, they’ll help you take that first leap too—or at least feel a little less lost when you do.
Let’s begin.
Hi 👋 I’m Jacqueline from The Glade Design. I specialise in residential interiors. Check out my services or email me to chat. New design tips and home inspo every week—subscribe for exclusive content!
Know What You’re Really Signing Up For
Before you start a career in interior design, let’s have a real talk.
Whenever I tell someone I’m an interior designer, their eyes usually light up. “Ooh, how fun!” “You must love picking pretty cushions all day.” Or my personal favourite: “Such a glamorous job!”
And yes—on the surface, the word designer does carry a certain sparkle. It conjures up images of luxe showrooms, swanky launches, stylish outfits, and those perfectly lit spaces you see all over Instagram. But let me break this down for you: that’s about 5% of the job. Maybe less.
It’s not about wearing heels and hopping from one marble showroom to the next. Most days, it’s about slipping on your comfiest sneakers, racing between suppliers, checking measurements onsite, or spending hours in front of a screen tweaking layouts that still might get rejected by the client.
You’ll spend more time emailing than moodboarding. You’ll juggle budgets that are tighter than your deadlines. Your beautifully thought-out, creative, innovative design ideas? They need to fit the client’s brief and their budget. You can’t just design what you want—this isn’t art school, it’s a service profession.
You’ll deal with:
- Endless revisions
- Site delays
- Invoices that go unpaid
- Clients who ghost mid-project
- Builders who go off-plan
- Suppliers who send the wrong colour three times in a row
- And you’ll probably question your career choice once a fortnight (on a good month)
This isn’t to scare you. It’s just to say: if you want to start a career in interior design, make sure you’re passionate about all of it—not just the styling and sourcing part.
Design is the heart of the job, but the reality is wrapped in layers of logistics, human relationships, admin, and resilience. You have to love problem-solving. You have to be okay with feedback. You have to be ready to redo things a hundred times and still keep your creativity alive.
So before you dive in, ask yourself:
- Is this a long-term passion or just a passing curiosity?
- Are you dreaming of a career pivot or a complete lifestyle change?
- Are you willing to grow through the un-glamorous parts?
Because if you’re in it just for the pretty pictures, it won’t be enough to sustain you. But if you’re truly passionate about making spaces better—practically, emotionally, and aesthetically—then you’re already on the right path.
This is the stuff I wish someone had told me early on. And if you’re still nodding along? Then keep reading. There’s more good stuff coming.
Start Your Community ASAP
So—you’ve decided you want to start a career in interior design. Amazing! Once you’ve made that call, here’s one thing I wish I did earlier: build your community straight away. Don’t wait until you feel “ready,” or until your portfolio looks like it belongs in Architectural Digest. Start now.
Even if you’re still in uni.
Even if your work feels messy, raw, or “not there yet.”
Even if you think, “I have nothing new to add.”
You do. Trust me.
Your student projects, your process sketches, your design fails and your little wins—these are all gold. People love the journey. They’re far more interested in your behind-the-scenes than they are in a perfectly staged final photo. (The messy middle is where the magic actually happens.)
Pick Your Platform Wisely
You don’t need to be on every platform from day one. In fact, please don’t. It’ll drive you mad. Choose one that you can actually enjoy and manage consistently.
For me, Instagram never felt natural. I found it overwhelming, algorithm-chasing, and honestly not the best fit for my personality or time. So instead, I focused on platforms I could handle and grow in my own way.
My biggest game changer? Blogging.
Yes, it’s a bit old-school. But it works.
Writing blog posts helped me:
- Generate leads and actual sales
- Establish my brand voice and authority
- Document my process, both good and bad
- Share tips with people who genuinely needed them
- Improve SEO for my website
- And vent about annoying design dilemmas (because sometimes you just need to!)
Blogging gave me a space that was fully mine—no algorithm stress, no trend-chasing, just real content that lasted.
That said, your winning platform might be something completely different. Maybe you love chatting on TikTok. Maybe Pinterest feels like your visual playground. Or maybe you’re great with YouTube and can talk design on camera like a pro.
Whatever it is—start somewhere. Then slowly expand. Each platform takes time to grow, so the sooner you begin, the better.
You don’t need a massive following overnight. What you do need is to show up consistently, be real, and let people into your world. That’s how you build a community—not just an audience.
And when you start a career in interior design, your community will be your biggest asset. They’ll become your clients, collaborators, cheerleaders, and referral network.
So don’t wait until you’re “official.” You’re already on your way. Start building from day one.
You know what? When I look back at some of my early work, I realise—some of the ideas were actually really good. Even though my current projects might look more polished or “prettier,” I still use those early ones as examples. Because they came with real limitations. Tiny budgets, fixed layouts, very little room to make changes—and yet, I managed to create impact.
I used to feel a bit embarrassed to share them, but now I’ve come to appreciate them for what they are: honest, clever solutions under real constraints. So I’ve started sharing them more. They’re not perfect, but they’re real—and that’s what makes them valuable.
Just Start Working
Here’s the truth: you won’t feel ready. You might be in uni, have zero real-life experience, and feel like a total impostor. That’s normal. Everyone feels that way when they start a career in interior design. But the key is—you have to start anyway.
Even if you haven’t worked with a real client yet.
Even if your “projects” are just assignments or daydreams.
Even if your only portfolio is your own bedroom.
Start where you are.
And yes, that often means working for free at the beginning.
Not forever—but at the start, it’s about building experience, confidence, and credibility. Treat it like an unpaid internship you design for yourself. You can choose your first “clients”—and family and friends are usually a great place to begin.
Do a mini makeover of your cousin’s living room. Help your best mate re-style their awkward bedroom layout. Offer to refresh your parent’s entryway or create a moodboard for your friend’s tiny apartment.
Small? Yes.
Paid? Probably not.
But valuable? Absolutely.
These early projects are priceless because:
- You’ll start to learn how to work within real spaces and real limitations
- You’ll get used to presenting ideas and responding to feedback
- You’ll gather content for your portfolio and online presence
- You’ll gain confidence through doing—not just watching or reading
Pick Something You Can Manage
If a full renovation feels too big, then don’t start there. Choose something that feels achievable.
- Style a living room
- Organise a home office
- Refresh a guest bedroom
- Restyle your own space and document the journey
- Do a digital layout fix for someone who’s struggling with their floor plan
Then share it. Post it to your blog or your chosen platform. Talk about the why, not just the what. Show the process. Reflect on what you learned. This becomes your story, your content, and your proof that you’re doing the work.
Practice Is the Shortcut
So many aspiring designers wait for permission or perfection before they start. But the only way to get better is by doing. The first project will be clunky. The second will be a bit smoother. By the time you hit your fifth, you’ll be shocked at how far you’ve come. And you’ll have more confidence to take on paid jobs, more clarity on your style, and more opportunities rolling in than you thought possible.
To start a career in interior design, you don’t need a glamorous launch or a magazine-worthy portfolio. You just need action.
One room. One refresh. One brave first step.
From there, momentum builds. And with each small win, you’re one step closer to turning this dream into your actual career.
Build Your Connections Through Every Project
If you’ve taken the leap and started your first few projects—paid or unpaid—don’t just treat them as practice. Think bigger. Each project is also a golden opportunity to start building your professional network.
When you start a career in interior design, connections are everything. And I don’t mean just networking with other designers. I’m talking about the tradespeople and suppliers you meet along the way—your builder, your joiner, your painter, the friendly guy at the tile shop, or the electrician who shows up on time (a rare gem, treasure them!).
These are the people who keep your future projects running smoothly—and they often have strong local client bases of their own. Don’t underestimate the power of a good working relationship. One positive experience can turn into:
- Referrals
- Future collaborations
- Discounts on materials or services
- Mentorship or advice
- Credibility in the eyes of new clients
So what should you do?
- Keep their contact details. Save their number and make a note of what they’re good at.
- Stay in touch. Send a quick “thank you” after the job is done. Drop a holiday message at the end of the year.
- Catch up now and then. Coffee? A site visit? A casual check-in? Even just a friendly DM on socials reminding them you’re still active and growing in the industry.
- Refer them when you can. It builds trust and shows you’re collaborative. They’ll likely return the favour.
It’s so easy to get tunnel vision when you start a career in interior design, focusing only on the client or the final result. But the behind-the-scenes crew? They’re your unsung heroes. And if you treat them with respect, kindness, and professionalism from the beginning, you’ll be amazed at how much support you receive back.
Your reputation starts here. Every job is a chance to plant seeds. Over time, those seeds grow into a reliable network that helps you thrive—not just creatively, but as a business too.
So yes, do great design. But also—build your people. That’s how you build your career.
Non-Stop Learning
—Learning doesn’t stop once you finish uni. Not even close.
If you’re starting from scratch with no formal background, you might want to consider doing a relevant course first—whether that’s a diploma, short course, or even just a few online classes to get the basics down. Education is a great starting point when you start a career in interior design, but it’s not the end goal. It’s the launch pad.
And if you’ve already done a degree or finished a design course, congratulations! But… it’s not “done and dusted.” Not by a long shot.
Even after years in the industry, I’m still learning something new almost every single day. Because design is constantly evolving.
- Trends change
- Building codes update
- Materials improve
- Tech tools upgrade
- Clients’ expectations shift
- Budgets squeeze tighter
And beyond design itself, if you’re planning to run your own studio or freelance business (which many do when they start a career in interior design), you’ll also need to learn:
- Business skills
- Time management
- Client communication
- Pricing strategies
- Marketing and branding
So if your design knowledge is solid but your business brain needs work, maybe a short marketing course or a social media workshop is worth looking into. The more you upskill in your weak areas, the more confident and independent you’ll become.
Not a “Course” Person? That’s Okay. Learn By Doing.
Formal learning isn’t the only way to level up. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned have come from conversations with suppliers, trades, and showroom staff. For example:
- Want to improve your joinery design? Visit kitchen or bathroom showrooms. Ask how cabinetry works. Learn about different drawer runners, hinges, and edge finishes.
- Struggling with materials knowledge? Spend time at tile stores, flooring warehouses, or tapware showrooms. Touch things. Ask questions. Understand the cost and durability differences.
People in the industry are usually happy to chat—especially if you’re respectful, curious, and eager to learn.
And that curiosity? That’s your superpower.
To start a career in interior design and sustain one, you need to become obsessed with learning. Not in a stressful, perfectionist way—but in a lifelong, passionate way. You’ll never know everything, but that’s part of what makes this field so exciting.
Stay humble. Stay curious. Keep learning, always.
Invest in Marketing (Smartly)
If you’re planning to start a career in interior design and eventually run your own studio or freelance business, here’s a truth bomb: having great style and design skills is only half the equation. The other half? Marketing.
You could be the most talented designer in town, but if no one knows you exist—then none of it really matters.
Marketing is what brings your work into the world. It’s how new clients discover you, how your brand grows, and how you build a steady flow of opportunities beyond just referrals.
Yes, referrals are amazing. And yes, they’ll often be your first few projects. But relying only on referrals limits your reach. Marketing helps you:
- Find new client groups
- Attract the right audience (not just whoever stumbles in)
- Showcase your design voice and values
- Build long-term brand awareness and trust
But here’s the key: spend smart, not blindly.
I’ll be honest—I don’t do much marketing on social media. That’s not where my ideal clients hang out. So for me, pouring time and money into Instagram just didn’t make sense. Instead, I focused on platforms that gave me better results, like blogging, SEO, and networking through industry circles.
So before you throw money at boosted posts or flashy campaigns, pause and ask yourself:
- Who is my dream client?
- Where do they spend their time?
- What platform or marketing method feels sustainable for me to keep up with?
If your ideal clients are professionals in their 30s renovating their first home, maybe they’re Googling tips late at night—hello, SEO!
If they’re parents in the suburbs wanting functional yet stylish spaces, maybe Facebook groups or local ads are better.
If they’re design-savvy couples, maybe Pinterest and Houzz are where they get inspired.
Once you figure that out, you can start small:
- Invest in a clean, user-friendly website
- Write helpful blog content (like this!) that ranks on Google
- Run targeted Google Ads or local digital campaigns
- Join local directories or design marketplaces
- Build an email list and start a simple newsletter
Marketing doesn’t have to be loud or flashy—it just has to be intentional.
If you start a career in interior design with a strong design eye and a smart marketing mindset, you’ll be way ahead of the game. So don’t see marketing as a chore—see it as the bridge between your passion and your dream clients.
So This Is It.
I won’t give you a never-ending checklist or overwhelm you with “100 ways to make it in design.” Because honestly, the points I’ve shared above? They’re the core. The real deal.
If you can focus on these things—understanding the reality of the job, building your community, taking that scary first step, forming connections, committing to lifelong learning, and marketing yourself smartly—you’re already ahead of most people who want to start a career in interior design but never take action.
Master the basics first. Then, once you’ve got momentum, that’s the time to dive into all the extra tips, strategies, and trends floating around online.
Start simple. Start real. And most importantly—just start.
