How to Become an Interior Designer in India

Interior design is one of the most creative careers you can choose. It’s all about turning empty spaces into beautiful, comfortable, and functional places. Whether it’s a cozy home, a stylish office, or a restaurant, interior designers play a key role in making spaces come alive.

If you’re someone who enjoys creativity, colors, and solving problems through design — interior design could be a perfect career for you.
Let’s walk step-by-step through how you can become an interior designer in India.

Table of Contents

What Does an Interior Designer Actually Do?

An interior designer plans and designs the inside of a space — from the layout of rooms and furniture to lighting, textures, and colors. Their goal is not only to make a place look attractive but also practical and comfortable to use.

Here’s what interior designers usually work on:

Homes and apartments
Offices and co-working spaces
Hotels, restaurants, and cafes
Hospitals, schools, and retail shops
Exhibitions and showrooms

They collaborate with architects, clients, and vendors to make sure everything fits well and functions smoothly.

Why Choose Interior Design as a Career?

Interior design is not just about decoration — it’s a growing, well-paying profession in India. As people pay more attention to how their homes and workplaces look and feel, the demand for interior designers keeps increasing.

According to industry estimates, the Indian interior design market is worth over $28 billion and is growing fast every year.
That means there are lots of opportunities — whether you want to work for a design firm, join a real estate company, or start your own business.

Here’s what makes interior design a great career:

You get to use your creativity daily
You can work independently or with a team
There’s scope to grow and earn well
Every project is different — it never gets boring
You help people design spaces they truly love

Educational Path: What to Study

While you don’t need a government license to become an interior designer in India, formal education gives you the foundation, confidence, and credibility to grow professionally.

1. Diploma in Interior Design (6 months–2 years)

This is a quick and practical course that introduces you to design basics, drafting, and software.
It’s best for those who want to enter the field quickly or switch careers.

2. Bachelor’s Degree (3–4 years)

A degree helps you learn design theory, space planning, materials, and real-world projects.
You can choose from:

B.Des in Interior Design
B.Sc in Interior Design
B.A. in Interior Architecture

3. Master’s Degree (2 years)

If you want to specialize further or move into teaching and leadership roles, you can pursue:

M.Des (Master of Design)
M.Plan (Master of Planning)

Top Colleges for Interior Design in India

National Institute of Design (NID)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
CEPT University, Ahmedabad
Pearl Academy, Delhi & Mumbai
JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Symbiosis Institute of Design
Lovely Professional University (LPU)
Arch Academy of Design, Jaipur

These institutes are well-known for their quality training and career placements.

Entrance Exams You May Need to Take

Many reputed design colleges in India have entrance exams to test your creativity, logical thinking, and drawing skills.

Some popular ones are:

NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design)
NIFT Entrance Exam
CEPT Entrance Test
Private institute exams (like Pearl Academy, JD Institute, etc.)

Tips to prepare:

Practice sketching and perspective drawing
Stay updated on design trends
Sharpen your reasoning and visualization skills
Build a small portfolio of your creative work

Skills You Need to Become a Good Interior Designer

To succeed as an interior designer, you’ll need both creative and technical skills.

Creative Skills

A good eye for colors, shapes, and space
Creative problem-solving
Understanding design balance and harmony
Attention to detail
Communication and storytelling through design

Technical Skills

AutoCAD – for 2D floor plans
SketchUp – for 3D modeling
Revit – for building design
3ds Max + V-Ray – for realistic renderings
Photoshop / Illustrator – for presentation boards
MS Excel / Project tools – for budgets and timelines

Learning these tools makes you more confident and job-ready.

The Importance of Internships

An internship is your first step into the real design world. It helps you understand how projects work from start to finish.

During an internship, you’ll learn:

How to communicate with clients
How to take accurate site measurements
How to source materials and finishes
How to coordinate with vendors and contractors
How to manage deadlines and budgets

Even a short internship gives you practical experience that no classroom can match.

Building Your Portfolio

A strong portfolio is your biggest asset as an interior designer.
It shows your skills, creativity, and problem-solving ability.

Your portfolio should include:

5–10 of your best projects
Drawings, sketches, and floor plans
3D renders and layouts
Mood boards and color themes
Project summaries — what problem you solved and how

Keep both digital (PDF/website) and printed versions. A clean, simple presentation works best.

Starting Your Career

Once you finish your studies and internship, it’s time to start working professionally.
Here are some options:

Join an interior design or architecture firm
Work as a freelance designer
Collaborate with contractors or builders
Work for furniture, decor, or real estate companies

At the beginning, you might start as a junior designer, assisting seniors and learning project management.
With experience, you’ll handle your own projects and clients.

Career Path Example

Junior Designer → Senior Designer → Project Manager → Design Head → Studio Owner

Becoming a Freelance Designer or Starting Your Own Studio

If you want independence, you can start freelancing or open your own design firm.

Here’s how:

Start with small residential projects.
Register your business (as proprietorship, LLP, or company).
Create a team or vendor network.
Make contracts that clearly define payments and timelines.
Use social media and your portfolio to attract clients.

As you build trust and deliver good results, your brand will grow naturally.

Join Professional Organizations

Being part of professional design bodies adds credibility and helps you network.

Some popular ones include:

Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID)
Institute of Indian Interior Designers – Student Chapter
Council of Architecture (CoA) – for collaboration with architects
International memberships like IIDA or ASID for global exposure

These groups host workshops and events that keep you updated with industry trends.

Salary and Job Opportunities in India

Your income will depend on your experience, skill set, and location.

Position	Experience	Approx Monthly Salary
Intern	0–1 year	₹10,000 – ₹20,000
Junior Designer	1–3 years	₹25,000 – ₹50,000
Senior Designer	3–6 years	₹60,000 – ₹1,20,000
Project Manager	6–10 years	₹1.5L – ₹2.5L+
Freelance / Studio Owner	Varies	₹50,000 – ₹5L+

Top cities for opportunities:
Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur.

Smaller cities are also creating more demand as urban living expands.

Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

Ignoring software and technical learning
Taking too many projects at once
Undercharging or not valuing your work
Poor communication with clients and vendors
Not maintaining contracts or timelines

Avoiding these mistakes early helps you build a solid professional reputation.

How Long Does It Take to Become an Interior Designer?

It depends on your study path:

Diploma – 1–2 years
Bachelor’s degree – 3–4 years
Master’s degree – +2 years

With internships and practice, most designers start working professionally within 3–5 years after completing school.

Growing Your Career as an Interior Designer

Once you gain some experience, you can grow faster by:

Specializing – choose a niche like home interiors, office spaces, or retail design
Learning new tools – stay updated with technology and sustainable design
Networking – collaborate with architects and brands
Teaching or mentoring – share your experience
Building your brand online – use social media to showcase your work

Many top designers like Sunita Kohli, Shabnam Gupta, and Ambrish Arora started small and grew through consistent hard work and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need a degree to become an interior designer in India?
Not legally, but a diploma or degree gives you the right skills and industry exposure.

2. Can I become an interior designer after 12th without maths?
Yes, you can. Most design courses accept students from any stream — Arts, Commerce, or Science.

3. Which software should I start with?
Start with AutoCAD and SketchUp, then move on to advanced ones like 3ds Max or Revit.

4. Can I work as a freelancer after my diploma?
Yes, once you complete your internship and have a portfolio ready.

5. How do I get clients as a beginner?
Use Instagram, make a website, and ask your first few clients for referrals. Word of mouth is powerful.

Conclusion: Turning Your Dream Into a Career

Becoming an interior designer in India takes creativity, patience, and continuous learning.
If you’re passionate about transforming spaces and making people’s lives better through design, this career is a great choice.

Your simple path to success: