Best and Most Affordable Interior Design Online Courses
Interior design is a rewarding and dynamic career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for interior designers in 2022 was $60,340, with the top 10% earning more than $99,170. Job growth for interior designers is projected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, which is about average for all occupations.
From basic principles like color theory and furniture arrangement to specialized courses in sustainable design and 3D rendering, online platforms offer a range of affordable and high-quality courses. This guide highlights the best and most affordable interior design courses to help you develop your design potential—whether you're a hobbyist or an aspiring professional.
▶ 1. Skillshare: Interior Design Basics
Best for: Beginners & DIY Designers
Price: $19/month (with 7-day free trial)
Duration: Self-paced, approx. 3-5 hours of content
Skillshare’s Interior Design Basics course is perfect for those just starting out or for DIY designers looking to refresh their skills. This course covers fundamental design principles in a simple and engaging format, making it easy to apply the concepts to redesign your home or lay the groundwork for a future career.
Key Highlights:
▣ Design Fundamentals: Learn essential concepts like balance, scale, and proportion.
▣ Practical Projects: Create mood boards and mock designs to apply your knowledge.
▣ Tools and Techniques: Explore how to arrange furniture, choose colors, and plan spaces.
Why It’s Worth It: Skillshare provides a subscription-based model, giving you access to a vast library of creative courses. The interactive nature of the lessons ensures that beginners can quickly grasp key design concepts while having fun along the way.
User Review:
//"I was new to interior design and this course was a great starting point. It helped me understand the basics and gave me the confidence to redesign my living room. The best part is the hands-on projects. Highly recommend for beginners!" — Jessica T.
▶ 2. Udemy: The Complete Interior Design Course
Best for: Aspiring Interior Designers
Price: $19.99 (often discounted)
Duration: 30+ hours of video content
The Complete Interior Design Course on Udemy is a highly rated, comprehensive course for those serious about pursuing a career in interior design. Covering both theory and practical aspects, it’s ideal for beginners who want a deep understanding of how to design beautiful and functional spaces.
Key Highlights:
▣ Comprehensive Curriculum: Learn about space planning, lighting design, furniture selection, and color psychology.
▣ Practical Assignments: Work on real-world projects to test your new skills.
▣ Lifetime Access: Enjoy lifetime access to course materials and any future updates.
Why It’s Worth It: With over 30 hours of content and a reputation for thorough, step-by-step lessons, this course is an excellent value, especially when offered at discounted prices.
User Review:
//"This course exceeded my expectations! The content was very comprehensive, and I felt supported through every module. I now have a solid understanding of interior design and am ready to start working on client projects." — Robert L.
▶ 3. Coursera: Interior Design Specialization by the University of Colorado
Best for: Intermediate Learners & Career Changers
Price: Free to audit; $39/month for certification
Duration: 6 months (recommended pace of 2-3 hours per week)
The Interior Design Specialization offered by the University of Colorado on Coursera is ideal for those looking for an academic approach to interior design. This in-depth program provides a strong foundation in design theory, as well as practical applications, with real-world projects to build your portfolio.
Key Highlights:
▣ University-Level Curriculum: Learn about design history, color theory, space planning, and more.
▣ Real-World Projects: Apply your knowledge to design challenges and build a professional portfolio.
▣ Capstone Project: Complete a capstone project showcasing your design capabilities.
Why It’s Worth It: The certification offered by Coursera is recognized in the industry and is a great choice for those looking for formal, university-backed training. Financial aid is available for those who need it.
User Review:
//"The best thing about this course was the opportunity to learn directly from a university. The content was rigorous, and the capstone project helped me refine my design process. Definitely worth the investment!" — Amelia H.
▶ 4. LinkedIn Learning: Interior Design Foundations
Best for: Beginners & Professionals Looking to Refine Skills
Price: $29.99/month (1-month free trial)
Duration: 2 hours of video content
LinkedIn Learning’s Interior Design Foundations course offers a quick and insightful introduction to interior design for both beginners and professionals who want to refine their skills. The course covers the core principles of interior design and offers practical tips for applying them to real-world spaces.
Key Highlights:
▣ Core Principles: Learn about layout, color theory, furniture arrangement, and lighting.
▣ Practical Advice: Gain tips for designing both residential and commercial spaces.
▣ Free Trial: Enjoy a 1-month free trial and access to other courses during the trial period.
Why It’s Worth It: With a flexible subscription model and high-quality content, LinkedIn Learning allows you to get a solid grounding in interior design principles, especially useful for professionals looking to expand their skill set.
User Review:
//"I was able to complete the course in a couple of hours, and I walked away with actionable tips that I immediately applied to my home redesign. The video format made it very easy to follow!" — Sean M.
▶ 5. The Interior Design Institute: Online Interior Design Diploma
Best for: Aspiring Professional Designers
Price: $799 (payment plans available)
Duration: 12 months (self-paced)
For those serious about becoming professional interior designers, the Interior Design Diploma offered by the Interior Design Institute is an in-depth, self-paced course that covers everything you need to know about the field. The course is structured into 12 modules and offers personalized feedback from experienced tutors.
Key Highlights:
▣ Comprehensive Curriculum: Topics include space planning, color theory, furniture design, lighting, and more.
▣ Personalized Tutoring: Get feedback from professional interior designers as you progress through the course.
▣ Diploma: Upon completion, you’ll receive a diploma that can help you land a job in the interior design industry.
▣ Flexible Learning: Learn at your own pace with up to a year to finish the course.
Why It’s Worth It: The comprehensive curriculum and personalized feedback make this course an excellent option for anyone serious about pursuing interior design professionally. The affordable pricing with payment plans also makes it accessible for those on a budget.
User Review:
//"I am so happy with the diploma I received! The course content was thorough and practical, and the tutors gave me excellent feedback. This course has prepared me to start my career as an interior designer." — Emily P.
▶ 6. Canva Design School: Interior Design for Beginners
Best for: DIY Home Designers & Beginners
Price: Free
Duration: Self-paced, approx. 1-2 hours
For those who want to experiment with interior design without committing to a long course, Canva Design School’s Interior Design for Beginners course is a great starting point. Canva offers easy-to-use tools for creating mood boards, layouts, and other visual design elements.
Key Highlights:
▣ Easy-to-Use Tools: Use Canva’s simple interface to design your own spaces, create mood boards, and visualize your ideas.
▣ Basic Principles: Learn how to apply color theory, select furniture, and arrange spaces in a visually appealing way.
▣ Free Course: Completely free and accessible to anyone.
Why It’s Worth It: Canva is an intuitive platform with a wealth of free tools, making it perfect for DIY home designers who want to try out new ideas without the need for expensive software.
User Review:
//"This free course was a fantastic way to dip my toes into interior design. Canva is so user-friendly, and I love being able to design with ease. I’ve already started redesigning my home using what I learned!" — Katie R.
▶ 7. Sustainable Interior Design by FutureLearn
Best for: Eco-conscious Designers
Price: Free to audit; $69 for a certificate
Duration: 4 weeks (3-4 hours per week)
With an increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly design, FutureLearn’s Sustainable Interior Design course offers a focused approach to designing with environmental impact in mind. This course is ideal for designers who want to specialize in sustainable materials, energy-efficient design, and environmentally responsible practices.
Key Highlights:
▣ Sustainable Practices: Learn about eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, and sustainable design practices.
▣ Industry Insights: Understand the growing demand for sustainable design solutions in both residential and commercial spaces.
▣ Practical Applications: Apply sustainability principles to real-world design projects.
Why It’s Worth It: As the demand for green design grows, this course equips you with the knowledge to tap into an emerging market. The course is flexible and affordable, especially considering the growing importance of sustainability in design.
User Review:
//"I learned so much about eco-friendly materials and how to incorporate sustainability into my designs. This course really opened my eyes to the possibilities in green interior design." — Ben D.
Salary Range for Interior Designers
Interior design salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and specialization. Here's a breakdown:
• Entry-Level: $40,000 - $50,000 per year
• Mid-Career (3-5 years): $50,000 - $70,000 per year
• Senior-Level (10+ years): $70,000 - $100,000+ per year
Specializations, such as sustainable design or commercial design, can increase earning potential. Freelancers and those running their own firms may earn more, depending on their clientele and project scale.
Final Thoughts
With the wide variety of affordable and high-quality interior design courses available online, now is a great time to invest in learning new skills or pursuing a professional career. Whether you’re interested in residential design, sustainable practices, or specific software tools, there’s a course that fits your needs. Start your journey today and unlock your full potential in the world of interior design.