Interior Design for Beginners

Have a passion for interior design and want to make it into a profession?

Hi! I'm Natalie Massie, and in this course I'll be teaching you how to become an Interior Designer in 90 days without needing a degree. Save yourself 4 years and 10's-of-thousands of dollars by skipping the degree!

Each week's module will include a video training taught by me along with corresponding guides and worksheets to help you implement what you've learned.

Course Topics:

Week 1: Design Boards

With my step-by-step video tutorials, you will feel confident creating beautiful design presentations in Powerpoint. There is no need to learn fancy software - I've worked at design firms that have sold $100,000+ projects with a Powerpoint design board! This will give you the foundation you need to start creating design boards to add to your portfolio so you can showcase your abilities to potential clients.

Week 2: Services & Pricing

There's so many different services an Interior Designer can offer - paint consultations, accessorizing, staging for realtors, selections for a builder, etc. I will explain all the different services you could offer and how to determine your pricing.

Week 3: Getting Your First Clients

Now that you have started to build your portfolio with your Powerpoint design boards and you know what design services you will offer and how to price them, it's time to get your first few clients! We will walk through all the ways to find new clients as well as tutorials on using social media to find new leads and how to build a website.

Week 4: Consultation

Now that you have potential customers wanting to work with you, you will need to do a design consultation (first meeting in the client's home). We will discuss how to set up appointments, how to qualify your leads on the phone, and we will run through a standard consultation start-to-finish. I have included printable client questionnaires you can use to lead conversation and make you feel comfortable during a consultation.

Week 5: Floor Plans

Natalie shares her free online tool for making a floor plan in just minutes and includes rule-of-thumb guides to ensure your designs have good flow and adequate walking paths. She will walk you through how to measure a room and how to easily input it into the free floor planner to make sure all the furniture fits well in the space.

Week 6: Product Selections

Now it's time to start putting together the client's design presentation - but how do you know you're selecting the right items? This module will cover how to stay within budget and ensure your selections stay cohesive to the design. I've included guides for selecting the right size, quality, and/or hanging height for artwork, window treatments, rugs, lighting, and furniture.

Week 7: Client Presentation & Budget

A week or two after your consultation, you will want to meet with your client to present your design boards and projected budget for the project. This module will discuss what to include in your presentation, how to create and present a budget, and how to close the sale.

Week 8: Styling & Accessorizing

Learn how to style like a pro! I'll teach you the elements of design, how to flawlessly mix your patterns and colors, and how to accessorize any surface! This series includes training videos where I walk you through how to style and accessorize bookshelves, coffee tables, mantles, beds, etc. I will also provide rule-of-thumb guides you can follow to help you feel more confident in your styling.

Week 9: Ordering Product & Install Prep

Now that your client has approved their design it's time to start ordering product. We will talk though how to get full payment for product up front, how to order and where to have products sent. Next will be shopping for accessories and getting everything lined up for final install day!

Week 10: Final Install

Hooray! Everything has arrived and you're ready to put the final look together! This week you will learn how to prepare the rooms before the install, coordinate all deliveries, how to find and hire a handyman or electrician to help with bigger projects (hanging curtains/artwork/lighting), and how to photograph the finished look. Then comes the best part, inviting your client home to see their finished space!

Week 11: Working With Specialists

When it comes to designing someone's home, it's not always a one person job. You will eventually need to bring in outside help with specialized aspects of the project such as window treatments or custom upholstery. In this module we will discuss what parts of your design to hire out, how to find and hire trustworthy people, and how to rely on the specialist when it's not your area of expertise. We will also discuss how to work with local showrooms if helping with new build or remodel selections (tile, counters, floors, etc).

Week 12: Wholesale & Designer Discounts

Interior Designers have access to exclusive designer discounts and wholesale vendors. Wholesale accounts give you access to unique products not sold anywhere else. They also allow you to make significantly more money as you're able to buy directly from the manufacturer (typically 50-75% off retail prices). I will share how to find the best wholesale vendors, how to open an account, how to determine what to charge your clients, and a list of my favorite designer-friendly vendors.

Bonus Lesson: eDesign

This bonus lesson will teach you how to offer eDesign services. This means you work with your client completely online (introverts rejoice). This is a fantastic service I recommend my students offer as you open up the ability to design for people all over the country. eDesign projects are typically easier and less hands-on project but can still be a great portfolio builder.

PLEASE NOTE: This course does NOT cover commercial or contract projects because these projects require a contractor's license.