Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Interior Designer
What interior designers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an interior designer?
Meet a client about an office redesign. From there, the day usually includes meet clients to define needs and budgets, plan space layouts, and create drawings and 3D renderings. Most work full-time with occasional evening client meetings.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an interior designer working full time.
- Meet a client about an office redesign.
- Measure the space and photograph conditions.
- Draft a floor plan in AutoCAD.
- Build a 3D rendering in SketchUp.
- Select finishes from samples.
- Coordinate with the contractor about lighting.
- Update the project budget.
Where interior designers work
Designers work in studios and offices and visit client sites, showrooms and construction projects.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time with occasional evening client meetings.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Meet clients to define needs and budgets
- Plan space layouts
- Create drawings and 3D renderings
- Select finishes, furniture and lighting
- Follow codes and accessibility rules
- Coordinate with architects and contractors
- Manage installation
Tools you’ll use every day
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- SketchUp
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Material samples
- Project management tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Creative and practical work
- Visible results
- Variety of projects
- Run your own firm
What’s hard
- Client demands and budget limits
- Deadlines
- Slow growth in some markets
- Requires technical knowledge of codes
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love designing spaces
- I have a good eye for color and materials
- I like solving layout problems
- I can work with clients
- I enjoy technical drawings
- I might want my own firm
Not sure? Take the free Interior Designer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow building codes and accessibility rules
- Specify fire-rated materials where required
- Wear PPE on construction sites
- Protect client budgets with accurate estimates