How to become an interior designer or interior decorator
Official title: Interior designers and interior decorators
Also called: Home decorator, Kitchen designer, Interior designer, Interior decorator, Interior space designer, Aircraft interior designer, Designer - interior design, Interior design consultant, Interior design technician, Licensed interior designer, Certified interior designer, Interior designer assistant
Interior designers and interior decorators conceptualize and produce aesthetic, functional and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings. They are employed by architectural and interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies, hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant chains, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Consult with clients to determine needs, preferences, safety requirements and purpose of space
- Develop detailed plans and 3-D models showing arrangement of walls, dividers, displays, lighting and other fixtures using computer-assisted design (CAD) software and graphics software
- Develop plans, elevations, cross sections and detailed drawings, and advise on selection of colours, finishes and materials, floor and wall coverings, window treatments, interior and exterior lighting, furniture and other items, taking into account ergonomic and occupational health standards
- Estimate costs and materials required and may advise on leasing, real estate and marketing
- Prepare plans and specifications for the final interior designs in accordance with current practices and codes
- Work in a multidisciplinary environment
- May direct site work crews and subcontractors
- Interior designers are experts in the area of interior architecture, construction materials and building codes. They may specialize in designing interiors for residential, commercial, institutional, cultural and industrial buildings and for aircraft, ships or trains, trade shows and exhibitions. Interior decorators may specialize in decorating residential or commercial interior spaces, home staging, colour consulting and home organizing
How to become one
Interior designers A university degree or college diploma in interior design is usually required. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination may be required after six years of combined study and experience. Certification by a provincial institute or association is required to use protected titles related to interior designers in all provinces except Prince Edward Island. Interior decorators A college certificate or diploma in interior decoration is usually required. Membership in the Canadian Decorators' Association is available to qualified decorators.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 40% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Design and applied arts; Housing and human environments; Architecture.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $56,258 a year The middle half earn $44,850 to $74,997.
- About 32,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 36,100 are projected by 2033. (+9.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an interior designer or interior decorator?
Interior designers A university degree or college diploma in interior design is usually required. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination may be required after six years of combined study and experience. Certification by a provincial institute or association is required to use protected titles related to interior designers in all provinces except Prince Edward Island. Interior decorators A college certificate or diploma in interior decoration is usually required. Membership in the Canadian Decorators' Association is available to qualified decorators.
How much does an interior designer or interior decorator earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $56,258 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $44,850 to $74,997.
Is an interior designer or interior decorator a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2033, from about 32,900 to about 36,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an interior designer or interior decorator?
Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03