How to start an interior design business

Whether you’re a recent graduate or someone dreaming of a career change, launching an interior design business from scratch is as thrilling as it is rewarding. Many Interior Designers work as freelancers or run their own studios. Being self-employed offers flexibility, creative freedom and the ability to shape your own career path.

However, it also comes with challenges. You’re responsible for finding clients, managing finances, and marketing your business. That’s why having a strong foundation in studio operations, as well as design, is essential.

The courses at Billy Blue College of Design are designed with this in mind. You’ll learn not only how to create beautiful spaces but also how to start building a sustainable practice.

From sharpening your design skills to creating a website, this guide walks you through the essential steps to get started.

• Education and training in interior design
• Identify your interior design style
• Create an interior design portfolio
• Build a business website
• Networking and resources

Education and training in interior design

While raw talent goes a long way, a strong foundation in design principles is non-negotiable.

To build a successful interior design business, you need to understand more than just aesthetics. You need to grasp how people move through spaces, how to blend functionality with beauty, and how to create environments that meet real-world needs.

Our flexible Design courses means you can tailor your education to match your career goals.

Not sure where to start? The Advanced Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration offers a solid introduction to the field. It covers fundamental concepts like space planning, furniture selection, and joinery design, and it can be completed with an accelerated option in just 12 months. Plus, it opens the door for further study.

For those ready to go deeper, the Bachelor of Interior Design (Commercial) and Bachelor of Interior Design (Residential) dive into more specialised areas of practice. You’ll learn about branding, sustainability, materials selection, digital rendering tools and industry-standard software, including Revit. You’ll also tackle complex briefs that mimic real-world client challenges.

With us, it's not just theory. Studying with us means learning from working professionals who bring current industry experience into the classroom.

This sets you up not just as a designer, but as a business-savvy creative.

Identify your interior design style

Before you start pitching to clients, it helps to clarify your unique aesthetic and what you can bring to a project.

Are you all about minimalism or more into layered, eclectic looks? Finding your interior design style and point of difference against the competition helps define your brand and attract clients who vibe/sync with your vision.

Understanding your design identity is about more than taste, it's about strategic differentiation. In a competitive industry, having a clear visual voice makes you instantly recognisable. This might evolve over time, but starting with a defined direction can help guide your decisions around branding and service offerings.

Not sure where to begin? Dive into the different types of interior design styles to explore what resonates with you. You might discover a love for Scandinavian simplicity, industrial rawness, coastal charm or mid-century modernism. Or perhaps you lean toward a hybrid style that blends several influences. This process of discovery is exciting, invaluable, and actively encouraged in our courses.

Once you have a handle on your signature look, think about whom it serves. Is it ideal for busy professionals looking to optimise their homes? Or boutique hospitality brands aiming to wow guests? Carving out a niche based on your design style can make marketing easier and client acquisition more intuitive. You become the go-to expert for a specific aesthetic or audience.

Create an interior design portfolio

In design, your portfolio is your pitch. It shows potential clients what you can do, how you think, and why they should trust you with their space. It’s one of your most powerful tools for building credibility and landing work.

A strong interior design portfolio should include a variety of project types and clearly showcase your style and skillset. For each project, include:

• Concept development (mood boards, sketches, or even physical models)
• Floorplans, elevations, sections and other technical drawings
• Materials boards and Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) Schedules
• 3D visualisations
• Photos of the final space (if applicable)
• A short project summary outlining the brief, your conceptual approach, design process and the outcome

If you're just starting out, personal projects and live briefs from your studies are great ways to build your portfolio. Whether that be creating virtual mood boards for imaginary clients, or documenting a makeover of your own home.

The key is to showcase your process, creativity and ability to deliver thoughtful, beautiful spaces.

Our students graduate with a professional resume and a portfolio built from real-world briefs and industry input. You’ll also get guidance on presenting your work professionally, whether that’s in a printed booklet, a digital slideshow or an online showcase.

Build a website

Your website is your digital headquarters. It’s where clients go to view your work, learn your story, and reach out to you. A sleek, functional website is an absolute must-have for any interior design business.

What should your website include?

• Homepage that clearly states who you are and what you do
• Portfolio page with beautiful images and compelling project summaries
• About page that tells your story, qualifications, and design philosophy
• Contact page with enquiry form and social links
• Optional blog or news section to showcase thought leadership

Your site should be mobile-friendly, visually consistent with your branding, and easy to navigate.

If you study interior design at Billy Blue, your portfolio subject will include guidance on website development. You’ll walk away with a professional web presence that reflects your brand and appeals to your ideal clients and prospective employers.

Networking and resources

In addition to the professional industry connectivity that your lecturers bring first-hand to the courses, joining the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) is your backstage pass to the interior design scene. This is where up-and-coming creatives connect with the industry’s heavy-hitters, swap stories, share referrals, and spark collaborations that turn ideas into businesses.

Need to know how to price your services without second-guessing every quote? Want the blueprint for setting up your own design studio from scratch? DIA has the resources to back you. From business plans to pricing guides, contract templates to intellectual property guides, it’s all there, ready to help you build a business that’s as bold as your design vision.

This kind of networking is about making noise in the right rooms. The DIA will help you get connected, get informed and start creating the kind of trouble this industry needs. Starting an interior design business isn’t just about having good taste. It’s about building a brand, knowing your market and backing yourself with the right tools and training.