Do you have a passion for decorating? Have you always just had a knack for making the most of a room and its furnishings? If either of these statements is true, then you may want to consider starting an interior decorating business of your very own! Homeowners, either due to lack of time or skill, are paying good money to people just like yourself to turn their homes into the houses of their dreams.
Essential Equipment
In all honesty, it takes very little money or equipment to start your own interior decorating business. You will need the basics of any small business such as: business cards; a computer with bookkeeping and time management software along with a printer for invoices and estimates; and you will need to assemble a professional portfolio to show to potential clients when bidding on jobs. Even with advertising costs such as an ad in the Yellow Pages and maybe something in the classifieds of your local newspaper, an interior decorating business can realistically be started for $1,000 or less-provided you own a computer. You may ultimately want an office outside of your home, but most of the time you will be visiting clients anyway so this is not a big priority in the beginning.
Skills and Experience
If you have an eye for what looks good and how things should be arranged within a home, then you really already have what it takes to be a successful interior decorator. Now, there are certified interior decorators who must go to school for 2-5 years to attain certification-but certification is not required. You will, however, need mastery of the following: space planning, know your furniture and decorating styles (Arts & Craft, Art Deco, etc.), use of color and light, flooring, wall coverings, and how best to make use of accessories such as art to tie a space together.
Charges and Earnings
What you make in an interior decorating business depends entirely upon the size of the job, your reputation, and your ability to come in on or below budget. Top interior decorators earn commissions in the $2000-$5,000 range but you might very well have to do a few jobs in the beginning for free just to build your reputation and portfolio. Consider offering your services to friends and family for free in exchange for using them as references and to build your reputation.
Marketing
While you may indeed need to start out working for friends and family in order to build your portfolio, you will clearly want to eventually start making some money for your labors. To this end, you will need to build your client base through word-of-mouth advertising along with some intense networking with suppliers and contractors. You will also want to market your services in the Yellow Pages and consider creating a website that showcases your talents. As your portfolio and reputation grow, so too will the opportunities to grow your business and make your interior decorating business a success!
