How Much Do Interior Designers Make?

How Much Do Interior Designers Make? Salary, Training, and Career Overview

Interior designers bring spaces to life—transforming homes, hotels, offices and retail environments through layout, colour, materials, lighting and furnishings. The job blends creativity with practicality, and while it’s not always easy to break into, it can be lucrative for those who develop a strong portfolio and client base.

Here’s a full breakdown of what interior designers earn, what skills and qualifications are needed, career paths, and where to find the best jobs in the industry.

Job Description: What Do Interior Designers Do?

Interior designers plan and execute the layout and aesthetics of interior spaces, ensuring they are functional, safe, and visually appealing. They may work on residential, commercial, or hospitality projects.

Responsibilities:

• Meeting with clients to discuss needs, budgets and style

• Creating mood boards, sketches and 3D visualisations

• Selecting materials, colour schemes, lighting and furniture

• Working with architects, contractors and suppliers

• Managing timelines, procurement and installations

• Staying up to date with design trends and regulations

• Overseeing styling and final setup

Designers may work independently, for a firm, or in-house at retailers or property developers.

How Hard Is It to Become an Interior Designer?

It’s creative and competitive—you’ll need a strong portfolio, industry awareness and technical skills. Getting started may require unpaid or low-paid internships. However, if you’re motivated, build connections, and constantly improve your design eye, you can grow steadily in the field.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

• Creative vision and design sense

• Attention to detail and spatial awareness

• Excellent communication and client-handling skills

• Project management and organisation

• Budget awareness and business savvy

• Adaptability—clients, spaces and needs all vary

• CAD/3D software proficiency (e.g. SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit)

Do You Need Qualifications?

You don’t legally need a qualification, but most employers or clients expect formal training.

Common routes:

• BA in Interior Design / Interior Architecture / Spatial Design (3–4 years)

• Foundation Art and Design Diploma (1 year pre-university)

• Short courses (e.g. KLC School of Design, Inchbald)

• MA Interior Design (optional for specialisation)

Self-taught designers can succeed with a strong portfolio and proven ability, especially in freelance or home-based roles.

Career Levels and Specialisations

Career Levels:

• Design Assistant / Junior Designer

• Interior Designer

• Senior Interior Designer

• Design Lead / Project Manager

• Creative Director

• Freelancer / Studio Owner

Specialisations:

• Residential Design

• Commercial (offices, showrooms)

• Retail and Hospitality (restaurants, hotels)

• Sustainable / Eco Design

• Luxury Interiors

• Home Staging

• Virtual Interior Design (eDesign)

What Experience Do You Need?

• Internships or assistant roles at design studios

• Portfolio showcasing technical and creative skills

• Site experience working alongside contractors

• Proficiency in design software

• Client consultation and project planning exposure

Experience is often more valuable than a qualification—clients want to see what you can do.

Benefits of Being an Interior Designer

• Creative freedom to shape spaces

• Diverse projects—no two jobs are the same

• Flexible work options (freelance, remote, part-time)

• Opportunity to build your own brand or studio

• Rewarding client relationships

• Growing demand in both residential and commercial markets

Drawbacks and Negatives

• Tight deadlines and stressful installs

• Client demands and indecision can delay work

• Budget constraints may limit creative options

• Initial jobs may be low-paid or unpaid

• Self-employed designers must chase payments

• Requires constant upskilling and trend awareness

Interior Designer Salary UK

• Intern / Assistant: £18,000 – £22,000

• Junior Designer: £22,000 – £28,000

• Interior Designer: £30,000 – £40,000

• Senior Designer: £45,000 – £60,000

• Freelance / Studio Owner: £50,000 – £100,000+

Tax Example (Freelance):

A self-employed designer earning £55,000/year may pay:

• Income Tax: ~£8,432

• National Insurance: ~£4,149

• Take-home: ~£42,400/year or £815/week

Expenses such as software, materials, travel, studio costs, and marketing reduce taxable income.

Factors That Affect Salary

• Experience and project scale

• Location – London and affluent areas pay more

• Client base / niche – luxury and commercial clients = higher budgets

• Reputation / portfolio strength

• Self-employed vs employed

• Specialisation (e.g. sustainable design, 3D rendering)

• Social media and online presence

What’s the Future for Interior Designers?

Strong. Demand is growing in both private homes and commercial design, especially in:

• Home office / remote work spaces

• Eco-conscious design

• Inclusive and accessible interiors

• Online interior design (eDesign)

• Property staging and Airbnb makeovers

• Smart home integration

Designers who adapt to new tools (AR, VR, AI) and promote their work online will have the edge.

Best Companies to Work for in the UK

• David Collins Studio: Luxury residential and hospitality

• Candy & Candy: Ultra-high-end design

• Foster + Partners Interiors: Architecture-led integrated design

• Kelly Hoppen Interiors: Celebrity and international clients

• IKEA / John Lewis in-house: Retail product and space design

• Harrods Interiors: Elite residential services

• Own business / freelance: Freedom and profit potential

Online platforms like Houzz, Instagram, and LinkedIn are key tools for client acquisition and brand building.

Final Thought

Interior design combines creativity, problem-solving, and people skills to turn blank spaces into something beautiful and functional. Whether you want to work with boutique homes or luxury hotels, there’s room to grow—especially if you stay up to date and build a strong portfolio.