Interior design is an art and science of improving the interior of a structure to create a happier and healthier environment for those who use the room. An interior designer is a person who plans, designs, coordinates and oversees such interior improvement projects. Some designers specialize in particular fields such as home improvement, residential design, or industrial design. Others have degrees in non-profit design. Many interior designers are self-employed, but some others work for design firms or privately owned companies.

To become an interior designer, an individual has to earn a formal training and then find a job that enables him to practice his craft. Such formal training can take several forms. An individual can get formal training at a college or technical school that trains architects, interior designers, painters, and other similar professionals. Individuals can also receive formal training at an institution that offers degrees in the field of interior design. Another way to receive formal training in interior design is through a distance education program.

The benefits of getting formal training in interior design are many. A formal training usually consists of studying building codes and safety regulations that apply to the use of space in a commercial or residential structure. It also covers topics such as lighting, furnishings, room size and arrangement, wall treatments and privacy, building structures and construction methods.

In addition, the formal training program also studies functional concepts. Functional concepts include furniture layout, architectural schematics, functional flow, and other relevant technical and procedural subjects. These topics are important in helping an interior designer build aesthetically appealing and functional spaces. The curriculum typically includes instruction in drafting building plans; drafting construction documents; preparation of functional layouts; and the drafting of functional layouts for rooms, offices, stores, or other facilities.

Additionally, interior designers are trained on environmental studies. They learn about building materials and construction methods that are friendly to the environment. Interior designers learn about energy efficiency, building envelope design, sustainable design, home extension, aesthetics, water conservation and waste disposal, among others. In essence, an interior designer learns how to beautify and care for their own living environment, as well as how to beautify and care for others’ living environments.

Finally, interior designers learn about regulatory requirements. These regulatory requirements often apply to different aspects of interior design, such as space planning, color schemes, flooring, wall treatments, furniture selection and placement, and lighting. An interior design professional has to be familiar with these regulations and be able to meet them. In addition, they have to be able to comply with government regulations. These professionals have to be proficient in communicating about building regulations, building codes, safety and health issues, and other pertinent environmental issues.