Is there demand for Interior Designers

Sexy_Legs

Hi everyone

I just wondered if you could give me your opinions

Is there a lot of demand for Interior Designers. I will be taking redundancy from my current job next year and would like a career change.

I am starting a course in a few weeks to see if it is something I will enjoy and if so I will go on to do a Diploma in it.

I was thinking that I could setup a website, produce some flyers etc. I could assist Buyers having problems selling their house, landlords in maximising rental by asssisting with their decor but work on low budgets for them and of course anyone wanting a makeover etc. I wouldn't be init to rip people off, I also have a good plasterer, tiler, kitchen fitter, handyman etc. so these may also be a good source.

What would you be prepared to pay for this type of service. It would be in the Berkshire area. Is there anyone out there that does this already and can tell me the good and bad points.

Apols for the waffle, and thanks for any advice/opinions you can give me.

D

rrf494g

no demand from me

Welsh_Totster

I *think* to be able to call yourself an Interior Designer you have to do a degree in it, there was some kind of legislation or something a couple of years back that stopped all and sundry being able to call themselves interior designers. Personally in the current climate I dont think there's that much call for it but would be happy to be proved wrong

trumpton

I think the problem is that first we are in a recession in terms of job cuts etc., so this is the kind of service that people will do without. Also, there is so much available on the web, in magazines, on tv that people are more confident of doing their own styling nowadays. I wouldn't pay for an interior designer and I always think it is really for people for whom money is mo object.

MX5huggy

Its the sort of job that you need contacts for, word of mouth that you are good. Berkshire would seem like the sort of area where there could be a demand. In my opinion a good interior designer would be able to design any style, modern 1930's Victorian etc. Not just tell clients to get rid of junk and paint magnola!

beedeedee

Most folk always think they can do it better themselves - especially after the last decade or so of "Home Makeover" programmes.
There might possibly be a demand from large businesses and companies for offices or pub/restaurant/hotel type places - but unless you are well known and with lots of magazine contacts - I would think that the general market for interior design is virtually zilch especially for the type of work you mentioned. Do your research and find yourself a niche market.....

dander

I think there will always be a number of people who want to use interior designers - both in a domestic setting and commercial. However, every time I pick up a house magazine I see adverts for interior design courses and every time I watch a house programme I see people who are doing an interior design course etc. So the market must be absolutely flooded with wannabe designers.

I think it's probably an incredibly difficult business to get a foot in the door in. Lots of work must go on word of mouth and how will you persuade those first people to take a chance on you if you are untried? I certainly wouldn't employ an interior designer without a decent portfolio of completed projects and references. Certainly if it was to improve rents or salablility I'd want to see evidence that you could actually make a difference. I guess it's a question of whether you have the contacts where you could build up something to show potential clients and prove your worth.

I think aiming at low budgets is also a dangerous way of marketing because it strikes me that if your budget is low, paying for a designer would be the first expense that you would cut!

Of course, it's not impossible to get into though, someone's got to get the work!

LlamaKarma

I would love to have an interior designer but I assume it would be expensive so I've never contemplated hiring one..

googler

If you're thinking of doing it as a business, then write a business plan for yourself.

Find yourself a business mentor who'll review it with you. If you'll be looking for business finance from your bank, then book an appt with the bank's business accounts manager or similar to review it.

Revise it if necessary.

Decide if you'll be able to make any money. If not, do something else.

phill99

I think your idea about helping Landlords is a non starter I'm afraid. I've done a number of house refurbs for landlords and can say thay want it all done as cheaply as possible. Most of them want Magnolia boxes, and most of theitr agents support them. Its only in the real 'top end' places where maximising rental value through interior design may help, but not really convinced here either. Landlords maximise revenue by turning a place around quickly between tenants in order to reduce voids. Not being 'anti' your idea, just being realistic.

Running_On_Empty

This case study may give you some ideas
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_interior_designer_pam.htm