Is there demand for Interior Designers

QTPie

Even when budget for doing a house is generous, interior design is STILL the last thing on most people's mind... We are gutting a house and all the money is going on infastructure - won't even have enough money to put all new curtains up at this time (can always get new curtains, can't always dig up the Walls to put CAT6 wiring in...

I agree that lowcost and landlords is the wrong way to go...

There might be something in dressing houses for sale - not sure how much that is "interior design" though: the while thing is about common sense and not over-engineering. You could look at starting a "house doctor" type business. Probably more mileage in it than interior design, unless you have very good contacts (but then you wouldn't be talking low budget and landlords...).

QT

murphydog999

I studied for a Diploma in Interior Design 8 years ago (people kept saying after seeing my house and me decorating friends houses, that I should be one) choosing a course that was Internationally recognised, and I could extend to degree level if I wanted. We then moved abroad, and I was introduced to a furniture/white goods company and I started off offering advice to customers and acted as a consultant buyer. This developed, and from this is I got individual commissions but also ended up furnishing over 250 properties also developing furniture packages for builders selling new properties.

My advice would be to choose a course that is recognised by the industry as 'serious' rather than a 'be an interior designer for £150' course. In the meantime, do you have friends or colleages that want makeovers that you could do for free, to get a portfolio? Could you put some leaflets through a few doors offering your services FOC? It's the only way to get the experience you need to approach people/businesses/stores.

Localweb

I have a buddy who did this - passed top of her course three years ago and she has never had a job doing it and I know she did try. She seemed to think in th - it's not what you know but who you know in the circles who emplot them.

That said if its what you want then you must go for it!

Sexy_Legs

Thanks everyone for all your great advise.

I think it is something I will keep as a hobby.

I was just thinking of ideas of something different I could do and when you look at the course web site, they make out there is so much demand for it.

thanks again

D