Learn the skills and concepts you will need to become a Kitchen and Bath Designer. The page below lists schools and colleges that offer excellent programs and degrees in Kitchen and Bath Design. Study basic design, drawing, plumbing and lighting designs that will train you to be a success in the Kitchen and Bath Design Industry.

By Erika Edwards Decaster
erika.decaster@interiordecoratingschools.net
Interior Design School Review Columnist

So, you're interested in interior decorating and design, but interior design school is light years away. In the meantime, you want to be getting ready for the future. Here are three easy things you can start doing today to help you prepare for your career in interior design.

• Keep and eye on design. Always be on the look out for designs that work, from stores to theme parks. A great designer can find inspiration in the most unlikely places. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting color combinations and inviting fabrics. You can learn a lot about interior design just from paying attention to what you see around you.
• File it. Once you've started to see things like a designer, you've got to keep track of all of your great ideas. You can do this by starting a design file. Your design file is kind of like your personal creative treasure chest. In your design file, you should keep clippings of images, paint chips, and fabric samples. You can even expand your decorating file to include other sources of inspiration, like shapes from nature, or architecture.
• Experiment. We all know the saying, 'practice makes perfect,' and it definitely applies to interior decorating. You will develop your skills and increase your talent through practice. Whether it's rearranging the furniture in your apartment, getting a friend to let you redecorate her living room, or sewing some new throw pillows for a favorite chair, get to work!

By keeping your eyes open for great design, storing and filing your decorating ideas, and experimenting hands-on, you will be better prepared for interior design school and your future career.

About the Author

Erika Edwards Decaster is a self-proclaimed interior design devotee. She has most recently worked as an internship coordinator for Brigham Young University. Her previous experience includes publishing, curriculum development, museum administration and as a teacher of English as a second language. She has also worked as a full-time humanitarian aid volunteer in Portugal and as an employment specialist in the Dominican Republic.

Posted on June 9, 2005 at 05:10 PM