Different Types of Interior Designers
Interior Designers rarely work in every field. It is common
for them to pick areas to specialize in. By choosing a
specialty, you can further enhance your skills and abilities
in that mode of design. It will certainly make for a better
portfolio, and will allow you the time to become an expert
designer in that field. Here are some of the specialty fields
that you can go into.
Sometimes designers choose to specialize in residential
areas, and sometimes they choose to specialize in commercial
properties. Some even narrow their field that they specialize
in by only doing work for certain types of homes and
businesses.
It is also quite common for designers to refuse to
specialize at all. Some will work wherever the work is. This
leaves the field a little bit wider for them, but specializing
is a more professional route to take. It is also better for
your portfolio in the long run.

Residential Interior Designer
These designers do most of their work in people’s homes.
They design various rooms inside and around the home. There is
a lot of freedom in this type of field because clients
generally let their designers have free reign to let their
creativity create a beautiful space for them. You can do
inside work, patios, guest houses, and even garages.
Many Interior Designers prefer this type of work because it
is less stressful, and the deadlines are usually a little bit
more relaxed. Homeowners rarely harass you to keep them posted
on every aspect of what you are doing, so it can be a
rewarding specialty. When you are allowed to create something
that makes both you and the client happy, the feeling is much
better.
The money that can be made doing residential design can be
a little bit less lucrative at times, but there are always
wealthy people that can use a great interior designer as well.
Sometimes, the work for residential areas can be quite small
also. This type of work is generally for the designer that is
in love with the aspect of being creative, rather than the
need to be rich. If you are thinking of Interior Design as a
means of expressing your creativity, this could be the right
place for you.

Commercial Interior Designer
Designers that specialize in commercial property and work
do projects for businesses. The type of business varies
greatly. You can do work for banks, hotels, restaurants, law
firms; you name it. Any business that you can dream of is open
to this specialty.
Good people skills and negotiation techniques are a vital
aspect of this specialty as well. After all, you are dealing
with business people. They respond well to a good business
person. You could be required to design an office space, a
hallway, lobby, and possibly and entire interior building. The
possibilities are endless here.
This is a specialty where your ability to estimate the
value of your own work will come in handy because many
businesses accept bids from the designers that they are
interested in working with. Also, you will often have to work
under specific instructions as to what the client is looking
for, so listening skills will be important here.
This type of specialty can be very lucrative if you can
establish a good rapport with your client. Doing a good job
will lead to a steady, return client, and your ability to
satisfy this client will often guarantee you more work as the
client’s word of mouth can lead to other businesses desiring
your services.
You may also have to work a little more closely with your
client in this field as well because business people like to
be on top of things to ensure that they are done right. It may
be a little bit annoying at times, but it is worth it in the
end.
These are not the only branches of specialty. Some
designers can choose any sub branch to specialize in as well.
There are quite a few and all of them are intended for the
designer that has a particular forte in the field. They also
offer great employment opportunities for the designer that
would like to make extra money on the side. They are as listed
below.
• Kitchen and Bath: This is a branch that you may wish
to specialize in if you are quite adept at it, or if you
have a general knack for it already. There are a great
many possibilities in this branch because these are areas
of the house that are often in need of dramatic change,
and they are high traffic areas. You should have
knowledge in cabinetry and plumbing for this particular
branch.
• Windows and Draperies: This seems like a small area
to specialize in, but the windows of a house or building
play a big role in the overall structure. They are a
source of energy efficiency in every home, and they are
often changed on a yearly basis. Basic heating and
cooling knowledge helps, as well as dry walling, and
space management.
• Lighting: The lighting of any area is often a bit more
complicated than plugging a lamp into a socket. Often, it
is the addition of special lighting that can completely
change a room’s environment. Some small additions or
subtle lighting can change the way a room feels.
Lighting is an often overlooked sub branch of Interior
Design.

Read More About Becoming An Interior Designer

If you are interested in Interior Design, you can start your own career with just a little guidance. Has anyone ever told you that you have an eye for design? The last time you helped someone move, did people ask your opinion when trying to situate furniture? Maybe you just enjoy rearranging and decorating rooms in your head. All the same… if you have the itch, or even an interest, you have already taken the first step to becoming an Interior Designer.