Artistic, cultural and culinary associate professionals

How to become an interior designer or decorator

Official title: Interior designers and decorators

Also called: Display decorator, Interior decorator, Set designer, Visual merchandiser, Window dresser

Interior designers and decorators plan and design commercial, industrial, public, retail and residential building interiors to produce an environment tailored to a purpose, taking into consideration factors that enhance living and working environments and sales promotion. They coordinate and participate in their construction and decoration.

Main tasks

Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders
Researching and analysing spatial, functional, efficiency, safety and aesthetic requirements
Formulating design concepts for the interiors of buildings
Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and plans to communicate design concepts
Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, suppliers and construction staff
Selecting, specifying and recommending functional and aesthetic materials, furniture and products for interiors
Detailing and documenting selected design for construction
Coordinating the construction and the decoration of interiors
Designing and painting stage scenery
Designing and decorating show windows and other display areas to promote products and services

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: HK$27,000 a month
About 1,542,900 people in 2025, and about 1,639,100 projected by 2028. (+6.2%)
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become an interior designer or decorator?

Not always. 36% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an interior designer or decorator?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026