Top 10 Careers to Pursue with a Degree in Interior Design

Interior design in India has witnessed a remarkable growth, leading to a myriad of career opportunities for creative minds. So, if you have a knack for creating something extraordinary from ordinary spaces with a flair for aesthetics and colors, a degree in interior design might just be your golden ticket. 

By 2027, we expect the interior design industry to reach $255 billion. Be it hotels, homes, offices, or restaurants, a perfectly designed interior is more in demand than ever. Today, we are going to discuss the top 10 careers to pursue after completing a degree in interior design. 

Residential Interior Designer

If decorating cozy homes and lavish apartments is your thing, why not pursue a full-time career out of it? The residential interior designers work closely with homeowners to transform living spaces into personal sanctuaries. Be it a minimalist Mumbai loft or a fancy farmhouse in Punjab. 

Statistics show that post-pandemic, home interior services in India grew by 27% in the past 2 years. As a residential interior designer, you can expect a handsome amount to earn between 3.3 lakhs and 6 lakhs annually. 

Commercial Interior Designer

Think about shopping malls, retail stores, hotels, offices, and whatnot. As a commercial interior designer, you get to blend branding together with quirky designs to create immersive experiences. This job role often gives you opportunities to work on larger projects with bigger budgets, making it a perfect fit for aspiring designers who love challenges and coordination.

A commercial interior designer can make between INR 4.1 lacs and INR 7.5 lacs annually. With companies investing a lot in innovative design solutions, the industry will continue to grow by INR 6.6 crore in 2025.

Kitchen and Bath Designer

As the name suggests, making aesthetically pleasing and visually appealing kitchens and bathrooms is the primary role for kitchen and bath designers. The primary role of kitchen and bath designers will be to select the layout of electrical appliances, cabinets, sinks, and more.

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Since the designers are handling your kitchen and bathroom decor, they might also consider plumbing and client requests as well. Some of these experts install the necessary appliances themselves or hire contract workers. Kitchen and bath designers can make up to INR 4.1 lacs to 7.5 lacs annually.

Interior Stylist

We all dream of a Pinterest-themed living room or bedroom. Well, that’s the magic of an interior stylist. They focus more on the visual appeal of the space, including all the necessary elements like furniture, accessories, lighting, and color palettes. These elements are important to enhance the overall look of the room, making it more visually appealing. Interior stylists work with professional photographers, ad agencies, influencers, and even production houses as well. 

Set Designer for Film and TV

Renowned filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar are famous for their majestic and detailed sets. Films like Bajirao Mastani and K3G are examples of some gorgeous film sets. That’s the role of a set designer.

Set designers blend storytelling with design, helping create the physical world in which the characters live. Be it period drama films or sci-fi series, each production house demands a set designer with a unique visual style. Set designers are expected to earn between 5 lakhs and 9 lakhs annually. 

AAFT graduates have worked with notable production houses across the film and media industry—proving that a career in interior design isn’t just a dream; it’s a path. 

Exhibition and Event Designer

If museums, galleries, and cultural events are your thing, then you might consider a career in exhibition and event design. You will get to design engaging displays while considering the cultural contexts and visitor experience. Be it a museum exhibit or a trade show, you will blend art and functionality to create a memorable experience for the audience. An exhibition designer can make up to 3.3 lakhs to 6 lakhs annually. 

Lighting Designer

The unsung hero of great interior spaces. From mood lighting in lounge bars to optimization in office spaces, lighting plays a very significant role in creating a magical ambiance. Lighting designers are a hot pick in the hospitality and health and wellness industries, affecting the mood, productivity, and guest experience. 

Sustainable Interior Designer

Eco-friendly interior designs are more than just a trend—they’re the future. The demand for eco-friendly space is more than ever. Be it bamboo flooring or rooftop gardens or just integrating sustainable design choices, it is your responsibility as a designer to help them minimize environmental impact. If you have a passion for green living, consider pursuing a career as a sustainable interior designer!

Salaries for a sustainable interior designer can range from 4.1 lacs to 7.5 lacs annually. In the coming years, we expect the industry to grow by 10-15% due to an increase in demand for eco-friendly homes and interiors.

Corporate Interior Designer

Everyone dreams of office spaces that are inspiring and beautifully designed. A corporate interior designer focuses on optimizing interiors that embrace productivity. The focus is on creating a comfortable, efficient, and inspiring workplace. As hybrid office spaces are more in demand, the concept of a corporate space has evolved. 

So, if organizing workplaces and enhancing networks excites you, a career in corporate interior design might just be your calling. Talking about finances, a corporate interior designer can make between 5 lakhs and 9 lakhs annually. 

Color Consultant

Well, this job is more than just choosing colors. Color consultants understand the psychology of hues and their impact on an individual’s mood and behavior. They can assist interior designers, brands, architects, and residential owners in creating the right mood through different color palettes.

Recent reports suggest that color plays an important role in enhancing productivity by 15%. The demand for color consultants is understandable.

Conclusion

Now that you know the top 10 careers to choose after completing an interior design course, it’s time to listen to your calling. Now, interior design is not just about choosing wallpapers and fluffing pillows. It is about understanding the aesthetics, colors, and tones and finding the perfect design for your space. 

At AAFT School of Interior Design, we do not teach how to design—we show you where your talent belongs. With a 100% practical curriculum, we offer UG/PG, diploma, and short-term programs to help you learn the nitty-gritty of the interior design industry.

So, if you are ready to bring your dreams to reality, AAFT is your calling! Inquire now about the programs and get a chance to talk with one of our admission counselors today.