How to Become an Interior Designer in the U.S. — No Degree, No License, No Experience Needed
An honest look at how interior design works as a career — and how to start from scratch, even if you've never worked in design.
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Takes 15 minutes
Assel's work has been featured in
In this video, you'll learn
01
Is there room for you?
There are fewer than 30 interior designers for every 100,000 people in the U.S. And clients hire someone local, not someone across the country.
02
What a designer does — and doesn't do
Engineering, permits and construction are other people's jobs. That alone removes half the fear.
03
Do you need a license or a degree?
A short, honest answer — and the details that differ by state.
04
How designers get paid
A room design is just the start. Trade programs and referral programs — what most beginners don't know about.
05
Where to start — for you
And how to get a personal plan from our career consultant.
Sound familiar?
You're tired of the 9-to-5 and want work that actually feels like you
You crave more creativity — your current job doesn't use your eye for beautiful spaces
Friends always ask your advice on decor, and you've redecorated your home more than once
You want a career you can do from home, on your own schedule, with more time for your family
You've thought "it's too late to start something new" — but the idea just won't let go
You work in real estate, staging, construction or furniture sales and want to offer your clients more
About the author
Assel Baimakhan
Practicing interior designer and founder of DesignCraft studio. She works in the U.S. and knows the market from the inside.
- Featured in Forbes, L'Officiel, Elle Decor, Salon
- Member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
- Has trained 3,500+ interior designers from scratch
- Lives and works in Miami
Find out how to start your interior design career in the U.S.
15-minute video. No fluff — just what you need to know before you start.
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