Are you passionate about interior design and have a knack for organization? Then home furnishings could be your calling.
This industry offers a plethora of opportunities, from interior decoration to home staging and furniture sales.
So, join us as we dive into the world of home furnishings to help you choose the perfect career path for you.
Is a career in home furnishings for you?
Home furnishings is an excellent career choice if you have good people and organizational skills and a passion for interior design.
Most interior design careers require a minimum of a Bachelor’s or an associate’s degree. However, a career in home furnishings can help you get your foot in the door. Thus, it’s a great choice if you aren't ready to commit to 4-5 years of studying, but want to work in interior design.
Even though a BA degree isn't required, you'll need to learn the ins and outs of the profession. Therefore, we recommend that you get certified. Luckily, there are many online interior design certifications you could do in a fraction of the time.
Home furnishings is also a fulfilling career option if you have a BA in interior design or even your license. It’s a perfect opportunity to get rid of all the mind-numbing, dull tasks that inevitably arise in an interior design practice, and only focus on the things that bring you joy.
Now let’s see the different opportunities in home furnishings, interior decoration, home staging, and furniture sales.
Interior Decorator
Interior decorators take it upon themselves to make the most out of a space with the choice of furniture, finishes, and decor. They make houses into homes by understanding the functions of the rooms, listening to the needs of the clients, and bringing functional and beautiful solutions into the design.
Many people use the terms “interior designer” and “interior decorator” interchangeably, however, there are significant differences between the two. The former group takes part in the construction, or renovation projects from the get-go. They have the license to add, move, or take out non-load-bearing walls, and therefore, it requires formal education.
Interior decorators must work within the constraints of the existing walls and conditions of a space to realize their clients' vision. They usually come into the design process near the end or are asked to handle a refurnishing.
Interior decorators focus on the aesthetic aspects, while interior designers concentrate on functionality.
However, they have in common that both work to provide their clients with a place they like to call home. Plus, both need a spectacular interior design portfolio to get good projects.
You want to build a portfolio that’s flexible enough to use in all situations. While a website is often the most suitable platform, there may be instances where you need to provide a PDF or printed portfolio. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you have to build 3 different documents. You just have to choose an all-in-one tool that allows you to create them all.
We recommend trying Archifolio. It’s the fastest way to build a portfolio, thanks to its intuitive editor. First, you build your master portfolio as a website. Then you export it as a PDF with a single click, which you may print as well.
How do you build your interior decorator portfolio?
- Gather images of your best projects (before-after photographs, mood boards, sketches, layout plans, etc).
- Sign up to Archifolio and choose a portfolio template you want to start with.
- Fill out your home page by following content suggestions.
- Choose your colors and fonts, and customize the template to represent your design aesthetic.
- Create your project pages and use the guiding questions to write about them. Include between 3-5 projects for the best results.
- Add a contact page with a form to make it easy to get in touch with you.
- Optionally, you can include an About page, where you introduce yourself to your visitors.
Home stager
Selling and buying houses is getting more and more difficult. Real estate buyers have a hard time seeing the potential in some properties, whereas owners don’t know how to sell at a fair price. That’s where home stagers come into the picture.
They offer benefits to both parties, as buyers obtain a property in better condition, and owners can sell it at a higher price.
As a home stager, you’ll get to work on exciting projects, and the property owners will often give you total creative freedom. Working together with a real estate agent, you’ll figure out who the potential buyers are and design the house to fit the chosen style.
Note that working with clients who have a smaller budget is common in this field. Also, expect tighter deadlines than usual.
To get started as a home stager you need to get some projects. With great references under your belt, you can create a stunning website, and build your own company from there.
Furniture sales associate
As a furniture sales associate, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate not only with clients but also with interior designers, decorators, and architects. Depending on the store you work at, you’ll become an expert in certain types of furniture, tiles, and cladding.
Though you’ll have to flex your creative muscles often, you also need spot-on organizational skills, along with sales knowledge, and people skills.
Oftentimes, you’ll handle the logistics of the transportation and installation, as you’ll be in charge of communicating with the clients and the vendors.
While it’s the most stable option out of all three careers in home furnishings, your salary will mostly consist of commissions. Also, your working hours will depend on the store's opening hours, that may sometimes include weekends.
Takeaway
In conclusion, a career in home furnishings can be an excellent choice for those with a passion for interior design. While a formal education is not required, having a strong portfolio is crucial for success in the industry.
With the right tools and resources, such as Archifolio, you can turn your passion for design into a rewarding career in the world of home furnishings. So why not take the leap and start exploring the possibilities today?
Fanni Szalkai
Marketing Manager of Archifolio, Architecture Portfolio Expert & Tiny House Enthusiast 🏡
