Self Taught Bedroom Decor

Some people just seem to have the 'knack' for interior design or home decor...they make rooms like this, that seem to buck current trends, but you love to live in nonetheless!

Lively bedroom in greens and camels! Decorating without formal training.

A good friend of mine certainly does. Not only can she choose the colors that fit a room she also has an uncanny knack for knowing which combinations a person will love for years to come!

One night I sat down with her and a color swatch book for hours drinking coffee and talking about color, balance, mood. I learned a lot! Not stuff that you'd get in a classroom - just real talent pouring out to an interested ear.

Warm country decorated bedroom in beiges and chocolate - soothing without being boring.

You can follow along this path as well with your own decorating, then move yourself into an interior decorating business. It's a great sideline if you like the work and enjoy people.

Teaching yourself to learn any thing new doesn't need much but a deep desire to know. The desire motivates you to focus on the task you've set out for yourself. (I've messed up a few good walls learning about color through trial and error!)

There are many home decorators that are working in their own business with hundreds of satisfied clients under their belt without any formal training in the industry. They are simply going on intuition and talent learned from trials. It is rare to learn all of the things that you need to know by teaching yourself, but if you're a listener and a collaborator, you can do this.

Here are a few aspects that you will need in order to teach yourself interior design.

  • Learn industry language from various home decor books.
  • Observe the techniques and trends from circulating magazines and catalogs.
  • Teach yourself to calculate the amounts of paint and wallpaper need to per wall by talking to your local professionals.
  • Get as much practice as you can in your own home or at friend's houses.
  • Use your local library or bookstore to help you brush up on the proper ways of incorporating space and a balance of space.
  • Get a job at a department or furniture store so that you can get a feel for the job, and the newest and most interesting design techniques. This method lets you earn while you learn.
  • The best way to teach yourself is to keep up on current trends through magazines and furniture catalogues.

Here also are some Pros and Cons of Being a Self Taught Country Home Decorator:

Pros Cons
Learn at your own speed You don't get the benefit of a teacher's guidance and help
You don't get final exams You don't get certification
Cheaper than paying tuition costs Tuition is expensive
Learn in the comfort of your own home Must learn with others watching and judging you
Have online assistance when needed Have to wait to use computers
Practice projects can be a lot less stressful Still have to take drafting and other technical classes
Extra classes needed are often free at adult schools You don't get help finding client prospects
You can earn while you learn You can earn while you learn (may be overworked)
You can take breaks whenever you want. You can take breaks whenever you want. (may lose incentive)

You will need to create a portfolio. A portfolio is like a scrapbook that has all of the listings and photographs of your decorating jobs to date. Your portfolio will help your future clients see what work you've done, which will give them an idea of what you are capable of doing for them. This is your best marketing tool, so make it look as professional as possible.

You will also want to add letters of recommendation to your portfolio when possible, or you can request from clients that they allow you to list them in your portfolio as satisfied customers.