If you’re looking to renovate your home or upskill your interior design skills, no doubt you’ve come across the incredibly confusing world of online courses. There are hundreds of interior design courses available online, and it can be difficult to decide which ones are best! That’s where we step in.
To make it easier for you, we reviewed hundreds of online interior design courses, both paid and free, and narrowed down our top picks to help you capitalize on your skills and transform your knack for enhancing interiors into a lucrative profession.
Whether you wish to brush up your skills as a leisure activity or want to kick-start your interior design career, these courses are just perfect for getting you started.
Best Online Interior Design Courses in 2023
1. The Designer’s Class: Interior Design Programme by Gauri Khan
The Interior Design Programme by The Designers Class is a comprehensive course on interior design that offers end-to-end information about the art and science of interior design. The program entails 6 modules that cover all the aspects of interior design holistically for beginners, including Introduction to Interior Design, Residential Design, Retail Design, Corporate Design, Restaurant Design, and Lighting Design. Each of these modules provides deep insights and exposure to interior design from different angles, equipping learners with 360-degree understanding.
The course is taught by none other than Gauri Khan, a name that has become synonymous with Interior Designing in India.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: Own pace
- Other offerings: Animated presentations, Demonstration videos, Downloadable workbooks, Interactive projects, Internship opportunities with designers
2. New York School of Interior Design: Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design
If you have always had a penchant for creating beautiful spaces and want to give your skills a professional edge, this course is the perfect opportunity for you to get started. An encyclopedia in its own right, this course provides thorough learning about fundamental skills in drawing, hand and digital drafting, color, history of design, materials and methods of construction, building systems, and professional practice, along with a broad range of liberal arts courses.
The course is divided into 4 semesters, each of which offers hands-on practice as well as theoretical mastery in interior design. The course revolves around Historical Styles, Textiles for Interiors, Drafting, Color for Interiors, Visual Concepts, Construction Documents, Hand Drawing and Rendering, Design Process, Materials & Methods of Construction, Modern Architecture & Design, Sustainability, and the Built Environment, Lighting, and Contract Design to offer you rigorous training to be a professional and profitable interior designer.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Degree
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 2 years
- Other offerings: Interactive classes, Discussion forums, Assignments, Quizzes
3. Inchbald: Inchbald Certificate Design Your Own Living Space
The crash course is structured to guide students to understand the process of designing an interior space while helping them learn rudimentary skills and techniques. The curriculum includes spatial principles and proportion, plans, and elevations, basically a balance between function and aesthetics.
In this program, you will learn about developing your designs after comprehending color schemes, patterns and textures, materials and finishes, fabrics, furnishings, and accessories. Starting in January, April, and September every year, this course is perfectly suitable for anyone who harbors an enthusiasm for design and decoration and wishes to acquire the basic skills required to create an interior living space.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Degree
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 13 weeks
4. Skillshare: Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps to Your Perfect Space
Taught by the renowned interior designer Lauren Cox of Havenly, this course breaks down the four principles used by designers across the world to create unmistakable looks by fusing designs into spaces. The course is designed with the aim of teaching the fundamentals of interior design in a fun, simple, and easy-to-grasp approach.
The course walks you through the principles of color, balance, scale and proportion and rhythm, and repetition and enables you to find your own design style. Supported by actionable tips and printable reference guides, it’s an incredible course for anyone slightly inclined towards transforming a space into a divine, cozy haven.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: N/A
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 1.5 hours
5. Oxford Home Study Centre: Certificate in Interior Design
Introduced by Oxford Home Study Centre, this certificate course provides an amazing opportunity for newcomers as well as experienced designers to kick-start their careers in interior design. Covering a range of essential topics, each module delves deep into the principles of interior design, elements of design, and the elements of the room in interior ensign projects.
You can access the video around the clock at your own pace with AI study aids and comprehensive course materials.
- Price: Free
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 200 hours
- Other offerings: CPD Accreditation
6. Udemy: How to Work with Interior Design Styles Like a Pro
This conducive course by Udemy unravels the 18 different popular interior design styles, thus helping you understand the design characteristics of each. It is structured with the aim of enabling you to choose one or more of these styles and utilize them in your own work.
By enrolling in this program, you will understand the defining furniture characteristics, learn about the common materials used in each style, and gain a fair grasp of color schemes and patterns for each style, in addition to learning about lighting, artwork, and accessories.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Other offerings: 28 downloadable resources, 7 articles, Access on mobile and TV, Bonus materials
7. The Interior Design Institute: International Certificate of Interior Design
Recognized by many reputed global bodies, including Certified Interior Decorators International and British Accreditation Council, among others, this course is a jackpot for anyone who wants to learn the art and science of interior design rigorously. Distributed across twelve modules, it’s a regimen structured to provide students with end-to-end know-how about interior design.
Starting from the visual language of interior design, the course further delves into the history of style, decor and architecture, design styles, space planning, lighting, color, interior finishes, decorative textiles and fabrics, and furniture. Additionally, it also trains you to work with professional designers with confidence and document ideas and designs for clients and prepares you to set up your own interior design business.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 12 months
- Other offerings: 24/7 support, Exclusive Facebook group, Portfolio, Online workshops, Personal tutor
8. Masterclass: Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design
Taught by the award-winning interior designer Kelly Wearstler, this online course takes you through each and every aspect of interior design right from the basics and gradually dives into the in-depth knowledge required to transform any space.
Divided into seventeen parts, each section of this program will help you discover the fundamentals of working with a space and starting a project, understand the concepts of materiality in design, learn about textures, and so much more. With this course, you will be ready to transform every place into an instagrammable spot.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 2-3 hours
9. LaSalle College: AEC in Interior Design
A comprehensive online course on interior design, this program gives you in-depth knowledge about literally everything you need to know to become a professional interior designer with high credibility. Available in Summer, Fall, and Winter every year, it’s a perfect course if you want to learn interior design with an international curriculum from domain experts.
Divided into four semesters, this course takes you on a holistic learning journey and teaches you all about 3D design and drawing techniques, gives you a thorough walk-through of colors, helps you understand the proper usage of lighting, and aids you with 3D modeling for interior design. Moreover, it also offers historical knowledge of styles and interior design, thus enabling you to be a master from the ground up.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 16 months
10. National Design Academy: Design Your Future
Entirely based on experiential learning or project-based learning, this course is the perfect choice for you. Divided into 5 projects, you will learn about residential interior design in easy-to-understand bitesize chunks. If you’re starting out with no prior knowledge or experience, this course will ensure that you have an incredible experience with plenty of useful tips, hints, and exciting interactive activities.
The first project focuses on the theory of color and design inspiration; the second one takes you through the process of texture and patterns. In the next part, you get to learn about making a statement with furniture and accessories. The following project will teach you to plan your space effectively using furniture templates, calculating quantities for wallpaper, and creating a layout. The concluding project brings together all the knowledge and skills you have gained so far and offers you a step-by-step guide to approaching your own design.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 6 months
- Other offerings: AIM qualifications, NDA accreditation
11. Alison: Diploma in Interior Design
If you’re short on time and wish to have an understanding of interior design and how it’s done to launch a career, this program is made for you. It touches on the artistic side of the business as well as the practical responsibilities, issues, and ways to deal with them effectively.
Beginning with the key aspects of project planning and client communication, this course offers practical instructions and demonstrations to help you absorb the important design principles to help you ground your business on in-depth information.
- Price: Free
- Certificate: Diploma
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 10-15 hours
- Other offerings: CPD accreditation, Final assessment
12. Decorating Studio: Home Decor, Decorating & Interior Design Course
If you love to keep decorating your home, adding some or the other elements, and changing the vibe of the whole place, but you don’t want to pursue interior design professionals, this is the best online interior design course for you.
This program consists of a bundle of various classes, each covering the lessons required to design various parts of your home, such as the living room, entry, foyer, guest bath, kitchen, dining room, master bedroom suites, and home offices, guest rooms, and outdoor decor. The program also offers many other classes that highlight several areas of the home and the art of decorating, each with a unique touch.
- Price: Free
- Certificate: NA
- Video: NA
- Duration: Your own pace
13. Udemy: Design is in the Details: How to Accessorize Like a Pro
It’s abundantly clear that the credit for turning the canvas of your room into a beautiful, profound painting goes not only to the color scheme and layout but also depends largely upon the selection and placement of accessories. This course plunges into the art of accessorizing, mixing wood and metal, and moldings and gives you a thorough understanding of the main details that play a vital role in making a room stand out.
Focussed on the topics of accessorizing, mixing wood and metal finishes, and different types of room moldings, this is a great course for beginners who have an eye for detail and are inspired to elevate the overall design of space using accessories.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Other offerings: 8 downloadable resources, assignments, 3 articles
14. Masterclass: A Beginner’s Guide to Interior Design Principles and Elements
Brought to you by the British Academy of Interior Design, this introductory course explores the fundamentals of interior design and helps you put your knowledge into practice and transform interior spaces with the right techniques.
With this course, you learn about the basic elements and principles of design and excel in the art of applying them to interior design. At the end of the course, you will gain a solid understanding of the basic design theories and principles used within interior design, enough to kick-start your career and make any space a head-turner.
- Price: Free
- Certificate: Available
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 4 weeks
15. Skillshare: Learn SketchUp Pro 2021 the Right Way!
Designer, 3D modeling specialist, and the owner of SketchupTrainer, Daniel Brown, in this course, lays the foundation for using Sketchup as a pro and throws light on how to start from scratch, create groups and components properly and add materials and textures, including details like trim and baseboards.
Divided into 74 various videos, this set of lessons will also teach you how to use and manage tags, scenes, styles, and shadows, as well as export your rendering as an image or animation in SketchUp.
- Price: Paid
- Certificate: N/A
- Video: On-demand
- Duration: 7-8 hours
Conclusion
These online interior design courses are perfect for you if you’re a makeover enthusiast who sees every room as a blank canvas waiting to be painted or a professional space stylist with a talent for remaking any space – residential, commercial, or otherwise – into a lovely expanse.
With the help of professional guidance, each of these online interior design courses has something special to offer and will inspire you to convert any place into a welcoming, delightful, and eye-catching spot.
