If you’re passionate about home design, then you have a wealth of career options to choose from! From interior decorating to landscape design, there are many specialties within the field of home design that you can explore. In this article, we’ll discuss 9 awesome careers in home design and what you can expect from each one.
So, whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking for a change, read on to learn more about these exciting opportunities!
Career Options in Interior Design: What Are The Highest Paying Jobs in Interior Design?
Interior design is a field that is full of creativity and passion. If you have an eye for detail and enjoy making spaces look beautiful, then a career in interior design may be perfect for you!
There are many different specialties within the field of interior design. This means that no matter what your interests are, there is sure to be a perfect fit for you and your career goals. Some of the most popular specialties within interior design include:
- Interior decorating
- Home staging
- Professional organizing
- Color consulting
- Feng Shui design
- Floral design
- Aging in Place design
- Landscape design
- Virtual services
Each one of these specialties offers its own unique set of challenges and rewards. No matter which path you choose, you can expect to use your creativity and problem-solving skills on a daily basis. And, of course, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you helped to make someone’s home more beautiful!
So, what do the career paths above entail? Let’s take a look at them in more detail!
4 Career Options in Interior Design
1. Interior Decorating
What Is an Interior Decorator?
An interior decorator is someone who helps to make a space more aesthetically pleasing. This can be done through the use of color, furniture, and accessories. Furthermore, interior decorators often work with clients to help them choose the perfect items for their home or office.
Is Interior Decorating in Demand?
Yes! In fact, the demand for interior decorators is expected to grow by about 4.5% by 2026. This growth is due to the increasing popularity of home renovation and design projects.
Typical Job Duties of an Interior Decorator
- Meeting with clients to discuss their needs
- Creating a design plan
- Sourcing furniture and accessories
- Selecting furniture, fabrics, and paint colors
- Purchasing items for the space
- Installing the design and/or overseeing the installation of the final design
- Overseeing projects from start to finish
- Staying within a budget
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. After all, salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the size of the company you work for.
However, to give you at least somewhat of an idea, here are up-to-date annual salary ranges for interior decorators (based on the example countries listed below):
- United States: Between approx. $11,000 USD and $62,500 USD per year (Source: ZipRecruiter)
- Canada: Between approx. $24,000 CAD and $58,000 CAD per year (Source: Glassdoor)
- United Kingdom: Between approx. £11,000 GBP and £40,000 GBP per year (Source: Payscale)
- Australia: Between approx. $43,000 AUD and $80,000 AUD per year (Source: Payscale)
Interested in a career as an interior decorator? Check out QC Design School‘s self-paced, online Interior Decorating Course and discover how YOU can become an International Design and Decorating Professional (IDDP) in as little as 3-6 months!
2. Home Staging
What Is an Home Stager?
A home stager is someone who helps to make a space more appealing to potential buyers. This can be done through the use of color, furniture, accessories, and depersonalization. Plus, it’s statistically proven that professionally staging a home helps it sell faster – and better – on the market!
Is Home Staging in Demand?
Absolutely! The real estate market has been soaring this year, with Zillow predicting that the home price growth rate for 2022 will end at 17.3% in the United States alone. Furthermore, Forbes recently listed 4 critical reasons why the market will likely remain hot for quite some time to come.
Then it’s worth considering the fact that a whopping 83% of buyers’ agents have attested that a professionally staged home sells more successfully. What’s more – Real Estate Professional reported (as of November, 2021) that approximately 31% of real estate agents stage all of the homes they deal with… And 52% either stage all homes or some homes!
Basically, what this all means is that, if you’re considering a career in home staging, there will definitely be opportunities available to you.
Typical Job Duties of a Home Stager
- Meeting with clients and conducting consultations
- Determining the clients’ budget (and then staying within it)
- Assessing client needs and proposing logical suggestions that will help achieve their visions
- Positioning and rearranging furniture (e.g., your clients’ furniture or furniture that’s been rented out for the staging process)
- Acquiring home decor and/or accessories, and then arranging everything throughout the home
- Depersonalizing the living space so that it appeals to the majority
- Partnering and working with real estate agents
- Collaborating with a color consultant, painters, etc. to repaint the walls within the home, if necessary
- And more!
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between approx. $23,650 USD and $109,610 USD per year (Source: Comparably)
- Canada: Between approx. $32,175 CAD and $49,000 CAD per year (Source: Talent.com)
- United Kingdom: Between approx. £20.00 GBP and £75.00 GBP per hour (Source: House Wow®)
- Australia: Between approx. $55,000 AUD and $65,000 AUD per year for Property Stylists (Source: Jora)
Thinking about this career in home design? Become an International Staging and Redesign Professional (ISRP) in as little as 12 short weeks by enrolling in QC Design School’s Home Staging Course today!
3. Professional Organizing
What Is a Professional Organizer?
A professional organizer is someone who helps both individuals and businesses to get (and stay) organized. This can be done through the development of systems, provision of storage solutions, and one-on-one coaching/teaching.
Is Professional Organizing in Demand?
You bet it is! In fact, Worldwide Market Reports recently published an in-depth study all about the ever-increasing demand for professional organizers. Additionally, this study touches on the continued growth in job opportunities in 2022 and beyond!
If you’re interested, you can learn more (and request samples of this study) here.
Importantly, this career path is not one only tailored towards regular folks… Rather, your clients will consist of plenty of businesses, too! With so many people now working remotely, there’s been an increase in the demand for both home office organizing and small business organizing services.
Typical Job Duties of a Professional Organizer
- Conducting initial consultations with clients to determine needs and objectives
- Creating custom-tailored organization solutions that will work well for each individual client or business
- Implementing the agreed-upon organizational systems
- Providing coaching and teaching so that their clients can learn how to keep things tidy on their own
- Working together with clients until the project is complete (and sometimes even afterwards, if requested/needed)
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between approx. $37,000 USD and $61,000 USD per year (Source: Salary.com)
- Canada: Between approx. $35,000 CAD and $67,000 CAD per year (Source: Glassdoor)
- United Kingdom (London): Between approx. £20,493 GBP and £31,251 GBP per year (Source: Salary Expert)
- Australia: Between approx. $40,172 AUD and $56,165 AUD per year (Source: Salary Expert)
Does this career in home design sound like the perfect fit for you? Enroll in QC’s Professional Organizing Course and become a globally-certified Advanced International Organizing Professional (AIOP) in as little as 3 months!
4. Color Consulting
What Is a Color Consultant?
A color consultant helps their clients to choose the perfect colors for their homes (or businesses). This can be done through color analysis, space planning, and the development of custom-color schemes.
Is Color Consulting in Demand?
Absolutely! In fact, many experts believe that we’re currently experiencing a “color renaissance” of sorts. As a result, homeowners are no longer content with bland, cookie-cutter color schemes.
Instead, they now want something unique that speaks to their individual style. And that’s where YOU come in!
Typical Job Duties of a Color Consultant
- Conducting initial consultations with clients to discuss needs/wants/vision
- Analyzing the client’s current color scheme and making recommendations for improvement
- Developing custom color schemes for each individual client
- Space planning to ensure that the colors flow well from one room to the next
- Providing guidance on which paint finishes (flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, etc.) would be best suited for each space
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between approx. $27,000 USD and $163,000 USD per year (Source: Comparably)
- Canada: Between approx. $25,000 CAD and $41,000 CAD per year (Source: Glassdoor)
- United Kingdom: Between approx. £14,000 GBP and £34,000 GBP per year (Source: Glassdoor)
- Australia: Between approx. $55,000 AUD and $70,000 AUD per year (Source: Jora)
Pro Tip: Did you know that thanks to QC Design School’s Color Consultant Course, you can become an International Color Consulting Professional (ICCP) right from the comfort of your own home? It’s true!
5 MORE Lucrative Careers in Home Design
5. Feng Shui Design
What Is a Feng Shui Designer?
A Feng Shui designer helps their clients to create a space that is in harmony with the natural world. This involves the strategic placement of furniture, colors, and other design elements. As a result, the goal is that all of these things will promote positive energy flow.
Importantly, Feng Shui designers must have a thorough understanding of the Bagua map.
Is Feng Shui Design in Demand?
Feng Shui has been practiced for centuries in China and other parts of Asia. However, it’s only recently started to gain popularity here in the West. With that said, more and more people are learning about the benefits of Feng Shui design every day. As such, the demand for these services will only continue to increase!
Typical Job Duties of a Feng Shui Designer
- Conducting initial consultations with clients to discuss needs/wants/vision
- Analyzing the client’s current space and making recommendations for improvement
- Developing custom Feng Shui designs for each individual client
- Placing furniture, colors, and other design elements in such a way that promotes positive energy flow
- Providing guidance on how to best maintain the desired Feng Shui balance in the space
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Approx. $67,778 USD annually for entry-level Feng Shui Consultants with 1-3 years’ experience (Source: Salary Expert)
- Canada: Approx. $68,464 CAD annually for entry-level Feng Shui consultants with 1-3 years’ experience (Source: Salary Expert)
- United Kingdom: Approx. £35,959 annually for entry-level Feng Shui consultants with 1-3 years’ experience (Source: Salary Expert)
- New Zealand: Approx. $74,421 NZD annually for entry-level Feng Shui consultants with 1-3 years’ experience (Source: Salary Expert)
- Australia: Approx. $82,457 AUD annually for entry-level Feng Shui consultants with 1-3 years’ experience (Source: Salary Expert)
Here’s how to pursue this career in home design in 2 easy steps… First, check out QC’s Feng Shui Design Course. Second, enroll!
6. Floral Design
What Is a Floral Designer?
A floral designer is responsible for creating beautiful arrangements using fresh and/or artificial flowers. This type of job provides ample opportunity to work in a variety of settings. To illustrate, you may work in homes, commercial properties, floral shops, grocery stores, and even weddings and/or events.
Is Floral Design in Demand?
Decorative flowers are ALWAYS in demand! Subsequently, no matter what the occasion, people will always need the services of a skilled floral designer.
Typical Job Duties of a Floral Designer
- Conducting initial client consultations and follow-up appointments
- Planning and arranging gorgeous floral designs for any occasion
- Choosing and caring for flowers in order to ensure long-lasting and fresh designs
- Working with clients to create unique designs that exceed their expectations (but not their budgets)
- Working efficiently to increase productivity, better your salary, and improve your bottom line
- Marketing your floral design business so you can attract and retain clients
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between $33,000 USD and $73,500 USD per year (Source: Salary.com)
- Canada: Between $30,000 CAD and $55,000 CAD per year (Source: Glassdoor)
- United Kingdom: Between £27,000 GBP and £44,500 GBP per year (Source: ERI Economic Research Institute)
- New Zealand: Between $40,000 NZD and $67,000 NZD per year (Source: Salary Expert)
- Australia: Between $46,500 AUD and $76,000 AUD per year (Source: Salary Expert)
Ready to become an International Floral Design Professional (IFDP)? If so, then check out QC Design School’s online, self-paced Floral Design Course here!
7. Aging in Place Design
What Is an Aging in Place (AIP) Designer?
An AIP designer is a type of interior designer who specializes in creating functional and beautiful living spaces for seniors. This includes making modifications to the home so that it can be safely inhabited by those with limited mobility. In the same way, Aging in Place designers are responsible for incorporating design elements that’ll make the space more comfortable and visually appealing.
Is AIP Design in Demand?
Aging is just a natural part of life! Thus, as our population continues to age, there will be an increasing demand for Aging in Place designers. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center: “The nation’s elderly population—people ages 65 and older—will grow to 81 million in 2050, up from 37 million in 2005.”
So, what does this mean for you?
On the whole, there will be a growing need for homes and other living spaces that are designed with seniors in mind!
Typical Job Duties of an Aging in Place Designer:
- Meeting with clients to discuss their needs, wants, and budget
- Inspecting the home to determine what changes need to be made
- Providing recommendations on how to make the space more functional and safe
- Creating a design plan that incorporates the client’s vision
- Working with contractors to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between $33,000 USD and $132,000 USD per year for Aging Specialists (Source: Glassdoor)
- Canada: Between $17,500 CAD and $149,500 CAD per year (Source: ZipRecruiter)
- United Kingdom: Between £20,000 GBP and £62,000 GBP per year for Aging Specialists (Source: Glassdoor)
Become a globally-recognized Aging in Place Professional (APDP) by the end of this year by enrolling in QC’s Aging in Place Course today!
8. Landscape Design
What Is an Landscape Designer?
A landscape designer is a type of designer who creates outdoor living spaces. As a landscape designer, a large part of your focus will be on the hardscape (e.g., patios, decks, fences, etc.). Moreover, you will also focus on the softscape (e.g., planting beds, trees, shrubs, etc.) elements of the design, too.
Is Landscape Design in Demand?
There is always a demand for beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces! In fact, according to IBISWorld: “The market size, measured by revenue, of the Landscape Design industry is $6.7 [billion] in 2022.” Additionally, keep in mind that this is only in the United States alone. Similarly, the landscape industry is just as fruitful across the rest of the globe as well!
Typical Job Duties of a Landscape Designer:
- Conducting initial client consultations/follow-up appointments
- Securing/working with landscape contractors
- Visiting the client’s site and determining what changes need to be made
- Developing/drawing/implementing functional landscape designs
- Helping clients improve curb appeal
- Working with plant life and flowers
- Creating sustainable/environmentally-friendly landscape design
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between approx. $40,000 USD and $66,000 USD per year (Source: PayScale)
- Canada: Between approx. $37,000 CAD and $97,000 CAD per year (Source: Glassdoor)
- United Kingdom: Between approx. £20,000 GBP and £66,000 GBP per year (Source: PayScale)
- Australia: Between approx. $80,000 AUD and $140,000 AUD per year (Source: Salary Expert)
- New Zealand: Between approx. $69,000 NZD and $$120,000 AUD per year (Source: Salary Expert)
Fun Fact: Thanks to QC Design School’s online Landscape Design Course, you can become a certified International Landscape Design Professional (ILDP) in as little as 12 weeks! Indeed, becoming a landscape designer has NEVER been easier!
9. Virtual Services
What Is an Virtual Designer?
A virtual designer is a type of designer who provides their services remotely – i.e., online. In other words, as a virtual designer, you will not meet with clients face-to-face (although you can certainly still choose to)! Rather, all communication and design work will be done virtually. Usually, this will be done via email, telephone, or video conferencing.
Are Virtual Services in Demand?
Yes! With the rise of technology comes the rise of virtual services. Furthermore, the last couple of years have shown us how critical – and beneficial – contactless services truly are.
As a direct result, more and more people are now opting to use virtual services because of the flexibility and convenience that they offer. In fact, Forbes has gone on record, reporting that experts have stated that “remote work is here to stay and will increase into 2023!”
Typical Job Duties of a Virtual Designer:
- Meeting with clients virtually (usually via telephone or video conferencing) to discuss their needs, wants, and budget
- Inspecting the client’s space virtually (again, usually via telephone or video conferencing)
- Conducting virtual consultations with clients to go over the design concepts/plans
- Sending design plans/renderings to clients electronically
- Coordinating with contractors and other vendors virtually
- Answering any questions or concerns that the client may have virtually
- Ensuring that the project stays on budget and on-schedule
Average Annual Salary Expectation for This Career Path in Home Design
- United States: Between approx. $19,000 USD and $123,500 USD per year (Source: ZipRecruiter)
- Canada: Between approx. $44,000 CAD and $79,000 CAD per year (Source: Payscale)
- Australia: Between approx. $91,963 AUD and $161,168 AUD per year for Virtual Design Managers (Source: Salary Expert)
Did you know that in LESS than ONE MONTH, you can learn everything you need to take your design business online? Check out QC’s 1-unit Virtual Design Training mini course and be ready to offer contact-free services in as little as 4 weeks!
Final Thoughts
Now that you know a bit more about some of the most popular jobs in home design, it’s time to start exploring which one is right for YOU!
So, what’s next?
As you can see, there are many different types of careers in home design – each with their own unique duties and average salary expectations.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
