Online Residential Interior Designer Training

Become a Certified Residential Interior Designer

Residential interior designers are skilled professionals who transform living spaces into beautiful and functional areas. Their expertise in design and aesthetics helps homeowners create personalized and comfortable living spaces that reflect their style and needs.

From key design elements and principles to the history of styles and furnishings from different eras to reviewing materials, finishes, color, and textiles, you will leave this interior design course with a fundamental overview of interior design essentials. You will also learn how to build a successful design business, cultivate your client base, and appropriately interact with clients in various scenarios.

This interior design certification course requires you to complete a final project, which will be submitted for review to the Designer Society of America (DSA), qualifying you to sit for the Residential Interior Design Qualifying Certification (RIDQC) certification exam. Course completion enables you to earn the R.I.D.E. (Residential Interior Design Education) credential as part of the final exam and qualify for the RIDQC certification exam.

The RIDQC exam voucher is included with course enrollment for qualifying students. You will also obtain a free one-year DSA membership.

Fee: $2,495

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Job Outlook for Certified Residential Interior Designers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for interior designers is $61,590. Salary can increase depending on several factors, including project length, clientele, type of employment, and experience. For example, the highest 10% earn more than $101,860.

The BLS also reports that the demand for interior designers is projected to increase by 4% through 2032. Lightcast labor data further shows that there were over 152,000 interior design jobs in 2023 alone.

Certified Residential Interior Designer FAQs

Course Objectives

Prepare for both the R.I.D.E. and RIDQC exams

Gain a deep understanding of design elements and principles and learn how to apply them effectively

Develop proficiency in the entire design process, from concept development to the final presentation

Acquire comprehensive knowledge of various materials and finishes commonly used in residential interiors

Develop a strong foundation in color theory and gain the ability to apply this knowledge to create cohesive color schemes for residential interiors

Obtain expertise in space planning techniques to effectively design residential spaces to meet clients’ needs

Acquire valuable insights into the business aspects of interior design, including project management, client relations, ethics, and professional practice

Study the history of architecture and interiors to draw inspiration from various design movements and apply historical references in contemporary design work

Develop an understanding of the selection and application of textiles, window treatments, accessories, and artwork to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of interior spaces

Learn the lighting design principles, including the selection and placement of fixtures, to create well-lit and aesthetically pleasing environments

Prerequisites and Requirements

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. You should have a high school degree or the equivalent, basic liberal arts knowledge, and an understanding of and interest in different cultures. You will also need a basic understanding of computers and must be comfortable navigating the Internet.

Students who complete the course and gain their R.I.D.E. will then qualify to sit for the RIDQC exam. This course is a prerequisite to the RIDQC exam, and qualifying students will receive a voucher to sit for the RIDQC exam.

Student Testimonial

Through the Landscape & Garden Design Certificate, I was able to cultivate the skills and best techniques necessary to properly design and install my own landscape and hardscape concepts. Moreover, I acquired a much more expansive knowledge of local resources, including the instructor’s extensive proprietary plant selection list for our East Tennessee growing zones, which truly made my dream garden outstanding.

Mary Woody, Former Landscape and Design Certificate Student

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