What does a Interior Designer actually do?

The short version

Interior designers plan and furnish spaces — layouts, materials, lighting, FF&E — across homes, offices and hospitality. The title is unprotected and a degree isn't required, but CAD skills and a real-project portfolio are.

The pitch: tangible work you can walk through, with a self-employment route at senior level. The catch: a third of the job is procurement and supplier chasing, pay is modest until senior level, and AI renders are commoditising the concept-only end of the market.

Entry routes that actually work

• Interior design degree — standard route into commercial studios; placements do the hiring.
• Diploma / college + CAD skills — viable for residential and retail design.
• Adjacent roles — showroom design, visual merchandising and set design cross over credibly.