10 Alternative Careers for Interior Designers

If you’re an interior designer who is looking for an alternative career path, you’re in luck. There are many different directions you can go with your skills and training.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss 10 alternative careers for interior designers. So whether you’re looking to start your own business, work in a related field, or switch careers altogether, we have something for you!

How to go from an Interior Design Student to an Interior Design Career

Ⅰ – The first step to becoming an interior designer is to enroll in interior design programs and courses.

Ⅱ – To start an interior design career, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in interior design or a related field.

Ⅲ – Once you have your degree, you’ll need to pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam.

Ⅳ – After passing the NCIDQ exam, you’ll be able to earn your professional license and start working as an interior designer!

So, you’re looking to transition away from being an Interior Designer.

Perhaps you’ve been in the field for a while and are ready for a change, or maybe you’re just starting out and exploring your options. Whatever the reason may be, there are plenty of different paths available to those with an interior design degree.

While some of these career paths may require additional training or certification, others may be a perfect fit for your transferable skills. So if you’re feeling stuck in your current interior design career, don’t despair! There are plenty of career paths out there for you to explore.

Here are 10 of our favorite alternate careers for interior designers:

Interior Decorator:

An Interior Decorator is a great alternative career for those who enjoy decorating and have an eye for detail. You’ll help clients select furniture, fixtures, and accessories for their homes. Interior decorators are required to have strong creative skills as you’ll need to be able to envision how various elements will come together to create a cohesive space.

????- The median annual salary for an Interior Decorator is: $50,420

Interior Design Consultant:

If you’re interested in starting your own business, then becoming an Interior Design Consultant is a great option. As a consultant, you’ll provide advice and guidance to clients who are looking to redesign their space. You’ll need strong project management skills and experience to be successful in this role.

????- The median annual salary for an Interior Design Consultant is: $72,560

If you’re interested in becoming an Interior Design Consultant, you may also be interested in the following: Interior Design Educator

Commercial Designer:

A career as a Commercial Designer is perfect for those who want to work on large-scale projects. You’ll be responsible for designing spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This role requires a high level of creativity and attention to detail.

????- The median annual salary for a Commercial Designer is: $58,370

If you’re interested in Commercial Design, you may also be interested in the following: Commercial interior design, corporate interior design, or even healthcare interior design.

Residential Designer:

If you’re more interested in working on smaller-scale projects, then becoming a Residential Designer is a great option. You’ll help clients design their dream homes by creating custom plans and selecting furnishings. This role requires strong interpersonal skills as you’ll be working closely with clients throughout the design process.

????- The median annual salary for a Residential Designer is: $48,620

Event Planner:

An Event Planner is a great alternative career for those who enjoy being creative and organized. You’ll be responsible for planning and executing events such as weddings, parties, and corporate functions. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential in this role.

????- The median annual wage for an Event Planner is: $47,350

Graphic Designer:

If you’re interested in alternative careers that allow you to be creative, Graphic Design is a great option. As a graphic designer, you’ll use your creativity and computer skills to design projects and visual concepts for clients. Graphic designers’ work requires strong communication skills as you’ll need to be able to effectively convey your ideas to clients and other designers.

????- The median annual salary for a Graphic Designer is: $46,900

If you’re interested in becoming a Graphic Designer, you may also be interested in the following: Creative Director

Stylist:

A Stylist is a great alternative career for those who enjoy fashion and helping others look their best. You’ll help clients select clothing and accessories for special occasions or everyday wear. This role requires strong interpersonal skills as you’ll be working closely with clients to understand their style preferences.

????- The median annual salary for a Stylist is: $43,180

Set Designer:

A Set Designer is a great alternative career for those who enjoy designing and creating but don’t want to stay in the interior design field. You’ll help create spaces and sets for television shows, movies, and stage productions. This role requires strong creative skills and a keen eye as you’ll need to be able to visualize the set and bring it to life. Sustainable design principles are also important in this role as you’ll need to be able to create sets that can be reused or recycled.

????- The median annual salary for a Set Designer is: $52,040

Visual Merchandiser:

Visual Merchandising is a great alternative career for those who enjoy fashion and the design industry. You’ll help create displays and visual elements that attract customers for stores and other businesses in the retail world. This role requires strong creative skills as you’ll need to be able to come up with new and innovative ways to display merchandise, like using recycled materials for design elements.

????- The median annual salary for a Visual Merchandiser is: $51,500

Furniture Designer:

Furniture design is a great alternative career for those who enjoy the creative process of designing and creating. Furniture designers help create new and innovative furniture designs for homes, office spaces, fashion houses, and public spaces. This role requires strong creative skills as you’ll need to be able to come up with new and innovative ideas that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing and also keep up with the latest trends.

????- The median annual wage for a Furniture Designer is: $52,000

As you can see, as an interior designer, or someone with an interior design degree, you have plenty of alternative career options available to you. All of these alternative careers allow you to use your creativity and technical skills in different ways, while also providing you with the opportunity to earn a good salary.

So if you’re looking for a change or are just starting out in your career, consider one of these different paths in interior design. Do any of these other job options for interior designers interest you? You might just find that one or more of them are the perfect fit for you!

Check out some of the newest job listings for interior designers:

What is the highest-paying job for someone with an interior design degree?

While it may not surprise you, the highest-paying job for someone with an interior design degree is an interior designer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for an interior designer was $52,810 in May 2016. The top ten percent of earners made more than $93,970 while the bottom ten percent earned less than $26,280.

Are you still wondering about more career paths for interior designers?

We don’t blame you! There are so many different paths someone with an interior design degree can take, that it’s hard to pick just one.

Some more careers for interior designers include:

– Architectural drafting

– Exhibit design

– Kitchen and bath design

– Lighting design

– Set or window dresser

– Urban planner

– Floral Designer

– Residential Architect

– Home stager

With experience and additional training, some interior designers may become certified professional counselors, art directors, or postsecondary teachers.

We hope that this list of different career paths for those with a degree in interior design has inspired you to explore all the possibilities for your future! There are so many different directions you can go with your specific skill set and training as an interior designer.

If you’re interested in pursuing any of these other career options, be sure to do your research and reach out to professionals in the field to learn more. The best way to find out if a career is right for you is to talk to people who are already doing it! With a little effort, you can find your perfect alternative career match.

Maybe you want to switch careers altogether? That’s fine too! Sometimes working in the same field for long periods of time can become tiresome. There are plenty of careers out there that could be perfect for you and your goals – like teaching! Read more about What Other Jobs Can Teachers Get Besides Teaching on our blog for some inspiration and ideas.

We Want To Hear From You!

Do you have an interior design degree? Have you recently changed your career path from interior designer to something different? What are some other careers for interior designers that you know of? Share them with us and other interior designers who’re looking to make a career change in the comments below!