How to Establish an Interior Design Business

Interior designers renovate, furnish, decorate, and plan living and business spaces. Whether you're interested in residential or commercial interior design, starting your own interior design firm can be lucrative and rewarding. Before establishing an interior design business, you will need to research the laws governing the profession in your state.

Step 1

Recognize the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Decorators arrange spaces and change the aesthetics of a room without altering its architectural structure. Designers have the knowledge needed to be able to plan changes to the structure of a building.

Step 2

Learn the law in your state concerning the use of the title “interior designer” by contacting your local board of professional regulation. Some states regulate who can use the title, and many require that interior designers have a four-year degree and pass a board of engineering exam. For example, in Texas, the title “registered interior designer” is regulated and one must have a degree and pass a licensing exam to use it, but the title “interior designer” is not regulated in Texas and can be used by anyone.

Step 3 

Obtain the degree necessary in your state to be called an “interior designer,” if necessary. You will take courses such as art history, drawing, CAD, architecture and furniture design to complete the degree.

Step 4

Consider taking an interior decorating or design course from a local college to further your design knowledge, if you are not required to get a degree in your state. Some companies offer online interior decoration and design courses as well. These courses typically offer lessons in color theory, space planning, lighting, decorating styles and history and entrepreneurship.

Step 5

Focus on a niche for your interior design business. For instance, you can specialize in residential, commercial, modern, contemporary, luxury, budget, or one-day interior decorating or design.

Step 6

Build a portfolio for your interior design business to show clients--if you are earning an interior design degree or certificate from an interior decorator's course, this should be apart of your curriculum. Otherwise, make over your home, or those of your friends and family, take photos and place them in a photo album. Placing the photos online is also helpful, especially if you decide to launch a website or blog.

Step 7

Name your interior design business. If you are not a registered interior designer, you can still use the phrase “interior design” in your business name, but you cannot call yourself an interior designer.

Step 8

Get the permits needed to open a service business in your state--what you will need depends on where you live and the business structure you choose. For example, to open an interior design business as a sole proprietor in Houston, you would need an assumed name certificate from the Harris County clerk's office.

Step 9

Pick a place to operate your interior design business. You can use your own home if you have room for an office and are willing to keep it pristine at all times for client meetings, or lease an office in a commercial building.

Step 10

Join an interior design group, such as the Interior Design Society or International Interior Design Association, to network with peers, connect with contractors and vendors, and find potential clients. You may also have the chance to gain continuing education or attend industry conferences, depending upon which group you join.

Step 11

Showcase your portfolio, information about your training or education, credentials and associations on a website. Consumers looking for interior design services are increasingly looking online to find a designer to work with, and you may miss out on business if you do not have web presence.

Step 12

Build a network of subcontractors by contacting professionals in your area, getting referrals from them and looking at examples of their work. This will be necessary to complete work you cannot do as an interior designer or decorator, such as remodeling, architectural planning and electric wiring.


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