The 7 Best Free Interior Design Courses Online (2024)

Our Top Pick

Interior Design Fundamentals

FREE!

The Interior Design Fundamentals free online coursefrom Home Design Institute is a one month real-time course with set enrolment dates throughout the year to learn the basics of interior design.

If you are interested in becoming an Interior Designer, you might have searched the internet for online platforms that offer interior design courses.

This can be discouraging, since much of what’s available includes on-campus only courses that will definitely put a dent in your pocket. These expensive courses also come with the inconvenience of having to fit class time around your already busy schedule.

Because of this, free online interior design courses are the best starting point forspecialising in interior design.

They allow you to not be dogged down by your schedule, the distance from campus,or even the heavy price tag.

Free interior design courses are available online for anyone interested in learning about this creative field.

Tohelp you, here are 7 online interior design courses that can set you on the path to an interior design career at no extra cost.

What's in the article

1. Home Design Institute – Interior Design Fundamentals

The Interior Design Fundamentals free design coursefrom Home Design Institute is a one month real-time online course with set enrolment dates throughout the year to learn the basics of interior design.

Embark on a journey into the captivating realm of interior design with the complimentary online course from Home Design Institutes, customised specifically for those aspiring to thrive as self-sufficient interior designers. Upon completing the course, you will possess the ability to create designs that bring vitality to any room.

Interior design, a fusion of art and precision, requires the integration of inventive and technical solutions. It is the art of shaping spaces that not only visually captivate but also meet safety and functionality criteria. Designing revolves around creativity, in-depth research, and a multidisciplinary knowledge base, encompassing elements like colour harmony, furniture selection, and placement of decor to curate spaces that are aesthetically harmonious.

Immerse yourself in the course to uncover the secrets of home decoration, enabling you to effortlessly transform spaces. It is an invaluable guide for beginners or those looking for a fundamental recap. Discover the enchantment of harmonious colour palettes, discerning furniture choices for various rooms, and much more, all at no initial cost!

Embark on a journey through the history, theory, and diverse styles, materials, and techniques of interior design in the live, interactive sessions via Zoom. A classroom experience in the virtual realm that connects you with peers and a dedicated instructor.

Your passion combined with the Home Design Institutes’ course forms the perfect recipe for design excellence. Empower yourself with knowledge of colour dynamics, strategic furniture arrangement, and clever organisation.

The course includes a selection of real-time classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is also a free online interior design course with certificate.

By signing up you will also receive a free 1000 euro voucher for their paid courses.

Sign up the FREE fundamentals course at Home Design Institute.

2. HSC Oxford: Home Study Center

The HSC level 1interiordesign course, will definitely be worth your time. The main aim of the course is to make it as easy as possible for aspiring candidates to have a solid introduction into the field and industry of interior design. This 80 hourcourse has been carefully crafted to guide you in your path of turning your hobby into a career.

The online course boasts of access to quality interior design classes for free. Their courses are self-paced and have no entry requirements for that matter.

Course Topics

  • Interior design overview
  • Elements of interior design
  • The principles of design

3. MIT: Open Course Ware

The prestigious and highly acclaimed ivy-league university, has made it possible for any aspiring interior designers to learn the beginner basics of design from the comfort of their gadgets. This is assuming They have ample access to the internet.

This free online interior design course has been broken down into two sections/categories:Principles of DesignandDaylighting.

The principles of design course has been crafted to cover design theories and textual analysis. The major aim of this course Is to enable any aspiring interior designer to approach text with a fresh vision and translate that vision into design for performance.

The daylighting design course on the other hand is advanced and technical but covers the use of natural and electric lighting to ameliorate the indoor spaces.

The 7 Best Free Interior Design Courses Online (2)

4. Open University: Design Thinking

ThisDesign Thinkingprogram from Open Universityis a 10- hour online course that is meant to equip you with beginner’s content on interior design topics. The course is also characterized by assignments that are meant to keep you engaged as you progress with the course work. The course has no entry requirements apart for access to the internet.

The pros of taking this course include credits from the modules being counted towards a certificate of higher education, a diploma of higher education or even a foundation degree or honours degree.

5. Interiordezine

Interiordezineis a 2 week course on interior decorating with 10 free interior design lessons that are surely going to instil knowledge and confidence in your practice of interior design. The course outline has been structured to imitate the life cycle of the actual process of interior design, i.e. from idea to concept and then eventually to the implementation of the design.

This course is free and only requires you to sign up and from there, you are good to go.

Course Topics

  • Learning how to prepare your project design brief
  • Brainstorming concept design ideas
  • The secret to correctly using color
  • Choosing fabric
  • Correctly choosing fittings and fixtures
  • The art of knowing what to look for in home finishes
  • Pulling together your decorating scheme
  • Collating finishing touches

6. Decorating Studio

ThisDecorating Studiocourse offers a unique delivery of its free interior design content with engaging exercises that are meant to cultivate core understanding of the content made available on the website. The course content has been divided into two major sections:Decorating Ideas andDecorating by room.

This course structure, albeit simple compared to other free online interior design courses breaks down the living spaces and approaches them by theme and function. This has been done to enable you to have a better understanding of the core principles used in interior design.

The 7 Best Free Interior Design Courses Online (3)

7. People Centered Designing

People Centered Designingis a free online course is genuinely different from the rest due to its user focused approach to designing spaces that people find appealing. According to the online course outcomes, upon competition of the courseyou will be able to acquire observational skills, analyzeproducts from a user’s perspecive, and research user experience in the design space.

Course Topics

  • People centered designing
  • New products- old failings
  • Designing for users
  • Design for the average user
  • Inclusive design
  • Ergonomics and human factors
  • User research techniques
  • The voices of the customer.

Start your journey with a free interior design course

Becoming an expert Interior Designer can be an overwhelming journey.

There is a lot to learn, and the industry changes quickly with new trends.

And yet, the success of living your dream is definitely worth the effort. And taking a great design course can help make your experience much more enjoyable.

But if a busy schedule and the expensive cost are keeping you from reaching your goals, your time is now.

Any of these free courses can get you on the road to being a confident interior designer.

Looking for free interior design courses?

Explore a wide range of options to enhance your design skills. From online platforms like Coursera and Udemy to renowned universities providing open access courses, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about color theory, space planning, and more, all in the comfort of your own home.

The 7 Best Free Interior Design Courses Online (2024)

FAQs

Can I learn interior design by myself? ›

“Certainly, you can learn about what interior design is and what interior designers do without a formal education, but, if your goal is professional practice, then embarking on that journey without a roadmap (formal education) makes for a long and potentially incomplete journey.”

How to learn interior design without going to school? ›

How to become an interior designer without a degree
  1. Equip yourself with the necessary skills. You may also like... ...
  2. Find interior design work experience. The best way to hone your interior design skills is to practice. ...
  3. Find an interior design mentor. ...
  4. Build your interior design portfolio. ...
  5. Start networking.
Oct 10, 2023

What is the best interior design certificate? ›

The NCIDQ Certification, offered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), is the premier credential for interior designers, signifying proficiency in design principles, project coordination, and code regulations.

Which course is best for becoming an interior designer? ›

You can pursue an undergraduate B.Sc. Interior Designing degree followed by an M.Sc. Design Space degree at the postgraduate level to gain the right knowledge, training, and skills needed for the job. Some colleges even offer Diploma courses in interior design so you can consider those as well.

Can you call yourself an interior designer without a degree? ›

Most states allow interior designers to do residential work without a license. But some states require licensing for work in commercial buildings, which requires proficiency in building codes, construction and local laws. Passing the NCIDQ exam validates those skills.

How long does it take to learn interior design? ›

Most interior design programs require four years of full-time study to earn a bachelor's degree. Some programs also offer two-year associate degree programs or shorter certificate programs.

How do I start interior design from scratch? ›

Interior Design from Scratch: Where to Begin
  1. Set your budget. ...
  2. List the room's necessary functions. ...
  3. Pick a style, theme, or feel. ...
  4. Gather inspiration. ...
  5. Make a wish list, then prioritize. ...
  6. Measure, then plan a tentative layout. ...
  7. Find your first, central item. ...
  8. Pick your primary fabrics.
Jun 15, 2020

What's the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator? ›

Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building, while interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

Is an interior design certificate worth it? ›

Graduating from a certificate program provides you with a different set of qualifications from those that students earn when graduating from degree programs. Although interior designers do not need a formal education to work, earning a certificate or degree may help you qualify to work on certain projects.

Is it possible to be a self taught interior designer? ›

The short answer is yes. Don't get us wrong; there are some aspects that can't be taught. Such as personal style and having the 'eye'. Before anything else, those are the foundations of being a designer.

How can I practice interior design at home? ›

Here goes:
  1. Make A Budget.
  2. Create A Mood board.
  3. Choose Your “Springboard" (Inspiration) Object.
  4. Make A Room Layout Plan.
  5. Choose Foundation Furniture.
  6. Pick Paint Colors.
  7. Scale Up.
  8. Don't Over-Source Any Single Source.
Apr 12, 2020

Is there an app to help with interior design? ›

Homestyler is a user-friendly interior design app that allows users to visualize different design ideas in 2D and 3D. This versatile app offers a wide range of features for both amateurs and professionals, enabling the creation and customization of floor plans, furniture arrangements, and decor selections.

How do I choose an interior design course? ›

We recommend that you thoroughly research any interior design course you are considering and ask some or all of the following questions: What is the course content? What study support will you receive? Who are the course tutors/lecturers and what are their qualifications?

Is an online interior design degree worth it? ›

Web-based programs typically follow the same rigorous curricula as brick-and-mortar options, leading to similar advancement opportunities for graduates. The online format is also ideal for students who must tackle additional commitments – such as child or family care – on top of their work and class schedules.

What is the ideal education for an interior designer? ›

A Bachelor's degree in Interior Design is the most direct educational route for aspiring designers. Accredited programs focus on space planning, color theory, materials, and sustainable design, along with technical training in industry-standard software.

References

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