Interior Design Cost

Interior Design is a skill that combines art, science, and technical skills to create spaces that are inviting, user-friendly, and functional. Learning this skill can help you become an Interior Design professional or prepare you for taking on small personal projects at home. There are costs associated with learning and practicing this skill professionally. Beyond paying for your education, which can range from no cost to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the education path you choose, you’ll need to invest in the tools and software that allow you to better share your design skills with the world. You can expect to spend $1,000 a month or more on Interior Design software and tools. 

What is Interior Design?

Interior design refers to the process of designing the interior floor plan of a public, commercial, or private building. This includes both the process of handling the aesthetic design of the interior (decisions related to things like furnishing and paint) and the practical concerns such as how different rooms are connected to one another. This can be distinct from the design of general layouts and building exteriors or it can be done as a part of the initial design phases of the project.

Interior design projects can be technical, creative, or both. While most people think of interior design in the same way they think of interior decorating (and these two fields do often overlap), several technical and technological skills are associated with interior design. Not only will you need to learn how to use applications like AutoCAD or SketchUp to design floor plans, but you’ll also need to learn how to work with clients, how to provide reasonable and actionable floor plans and you’ll need to have a basic understanding of the regulations and laws that govern how different buildings are designed (within reason, an interior designer who specializes in floor plans for commercial buildings probably won’t need to know the laws governing plumbing infrastructure but they should have a good idea how to avoid creating fire hazards in their designs).

Read more about what Interior Design is and why you should learn it.

Learn Interior Design

• Nationally accredited
• Create your own portfolio
• Free student software
• Learn at your convenience
• Authorized Autodesk training center

Learn More

What Can You Do with Interior Design?

There are many ways for interior design to express itself, and just as many ways for you to express yourself or someone else through interior design. Some of the more well-known reasons to implement interior design include self-expression, increased functionality, enhanced comfort, and influence the mood and experience of those using a space. Whether you’re using interior design skills on residential or commercial properties, it is important to make the most of the space and meet not only the needs of those using the space but also work within the parameters of the space itself.

In addition to the more widely recognized uses for interior design, it’s also possible to increase the value of a property. Not only does interior design have some bearing on a property’s curb appeal but also its functionality. Oftentimes, interior design will require some updates and renovations. On such occasions, the quality of materials like flooring, cabinetry, and fixtures will factor into the property value. Likewise, incorporating more energy-efficient elements and market trends can also drive values upward. 

In-Depth Review of the Cost

There are up-front costs associated with interior design that cover some of your basic tools like a T-square, various drafting tools, a computer or laptop, and plenty of paper. This can cost you several thousand dollars, but you won’t need to be regularly making this investment. Paper, pencils, and other finite supplies will need to be restocked routinely, but the frequency will vary according to your workflow and workload. You may even find that you already have many of the start-up tools and supplies you need.

Once you’ve got your startup materials, you’ll also need to budget for the recurring costs. These costs include monthly software subscriptions, furniture and design libraries, magazines, and other tools that help you work more efficiently and effectively. Design software like AutoCAD or Photoshop can cost $50 a month or more depending on your needs. If you’re self-employed you’ll want to pay for invoicing and bookkeeping software like Quickbooks with a cost of at least $10 monthly. Access to a furniture and fixtures library like Ivy can cost a minimum of $50 each month, and the cost of maintaining a website can cost a few hundred dollars annually. Combined, you could spend up to $300 a month on software and tools.

Keep in mind that there will be discounts offered at times and free trial periods to take advantage of that can decrease your spending at some points. It should also be noted that expenses change. Service providers may change their pricing at any time, and you’ll have a decision to make: whether you want to continue using the service or pivot and go with a competitor. There are often free or cheaper-priced software and tools available, but you’ll need to weigh their benefits with your needs. It’s worthwhile to have access to the features and tools you need to present the best representation of your work.

For more information on the costs associated with Photoshop, check out this free seminar, Intro to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Why Learn Interior Design?

Interior design is an in-demand skill that can open up professional opportunities as a career and as part of a broader architectural toolkit. Almost all construction projects will involve a lengthy interior design process and many private and commercial renovation projects are fronted by interior designers. Thus, learning how to do interior design work is a good way to build a profitable set of career skills if you are interested in working in or around the construction or architecture fields.

There are many reasons to learn interior design. It can enrich your life in many ways and provide you with the skills to positively impact the environments others live, work, and play. Interior design and decorating can also be a useful skill set to pick up if you are interested in remodeling work, house flipping, or just having a side gig working on smaller design projects (for instance, a kitchen or basement renovation). 

Read more about why you should learn Interior Design.

Free Introductory Interior Design Course Online 

Not sure if a full interior design course is the best option for you? You can get your feet wet by exploring interior design for free online. In this free Photoshop seminar, you’ll learn some Adobe Photoshop basics that can be leveraged in your interior design designs, including color corrections, layers, and choosing the right resolution for your projects. Although it’s difficult to learn some of the software and tools that Interior Designers use, free resources like YouTube, vendor sites, and blogs can get you through rough patches. 

Other free online resources that can help you learn interior design include open online course platforms like Udemy and Coursera. Taking advantage of sites like these is a great way to learn whether or not a career in interior design is right for you. Likewise, if you’re interested in going the self-taught route, online course platforms like this can be instrumental in providing you with some structure and support. You’ll find interior design classes that cover topics like 3D modeling software, home staging, and design theory. 

Read about more free Interior Design videos and online tutorials.

Learn Interior Design with Hands-On Training at Noble Desktop

When you’re choosing an interior design class, you’ll want to look for some key features to ensure you’re getting a worthwhile education that will move you toward your dream career. Classes that fit your schedule and lifestyle will help you stay engaged and make it easier for you to succeed. The curriculum should be tailored to interior design topics that are fundamental and in demand if you’re looking to enter the workforce quickly. Expert instructors who are accessible and care about your success, small class sizes, and free retake options are all features that can propel your learning, help you achieve mastery, and reach your interior design learning goals. Luckily, Noble Desktop meets this criteria and is eager to help you get started with interior design today.

Interior Design classes and bootcamps can be taken as an Interior Design Professional Course Bundle. This course is designed to help you learn the tools and software most often used in this field, including AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, and Photoshop. You’ll also learn how to create floor plans, 3D models, and professional and engaging presentations that get the right people excited about your designs. If you’d like to slow down your learning and master one topic at a time, you can start with this AutoCAD Certificate Program that will guide you from basic to advanced use in eight weeks on a part-time schedule or two weeks on a full-time schedule. This certificate program also includes six hours of private tutoring to further deepen your learning.

Whether you want to get started in the workforce as soon as possible or you’d prefer to take your time mastering each in-demand interior design tool or software, Noble Desktop wants to help you achieve your learning goals. With hard work and dedication, you’ll be on the path to building a great career in interior design.