Best Interior Design Courses Online 2024

14 Best interior design courses online for professionals & creatives

Learning new skills online from professional instructors with decades of experience in a specific industry can be a real career booster. If you are thinking of improving your expertise, the field of interior design is sure to be both inspiring and informative.

Did you know that the global interior design industry is worth over $105 billion? The industry’s salaries are also higher than the national average, making it a promising prospect. Becoming an interior designer is possible without rushing back to school, and below, we cover some of the best interior design courses online to get you started.

Interior Design Courses Online – Overview

Realizing you need to learn how to be an interior designer is the first step, but it can seem daunting if you do not know where to start. There are a few things to consider when choosing an interior design course, e.g., a career path or for hobby purposes only.

Interior design is also both an art and a science. Think architecture meets home decorating, with the primary goal being the efficient use of space. Various typefaces are mixed to create legible typefaces that are pleasant to look at, integrating symbols and icons into designs that are both instructional and symbolic, etc.

Furthermore, interior design has always been a passionate field for self-expression as the Interiors reflect the people living inside. With a well-decorated home, you can create an atmosphere that suits your personality. You can apply interior design to anything from creating a stunning formal dining room to designing a kid’s room that they will love.

So, what are your goals? The interior design courses below offer an overview of how and where you can learn interior design, whether for professional or personal purposes.

Best Interior Design Courses Online 2024 – Top Picks

MasterClass Kelly Wearstler	Udemy Interior Design	Domestika Interior Design	Skillshare Interior Design
from $10/month	from $11.99/course	from $14.99/course	from $15/month
2023 Sale	2023 Sale	2023 Sale	2023 Sale
Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure at the end of this post.

Note: This post covers some of the best interior design courses online but cannot cover all the classes available. It aims to provide a great starting point to learn interior design skills.

1. Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design – MasterClass

Imagine learning the skills to create a room that feels amazing, looks beautiful and stylish. Imagine doing so without spending a huge budget on furniture, designers, or expertise. This popular interior design course (visit website) by MasterClass will teach you exactly that. It also goes along well with related classes available on the platform.

As a global lifestyle interior designer, Kelly Wearstler knows how hard it is to decorate your home on a budget. Kelly has been designing spaces for over three decades, and this class is for people who are ready for some creative DIY at home. She will show you how to take a room from drab to fab with just a few savvy tricks.

By the end, you can decide what style of decorating fits your personality the best and pick colors that look great in any room year-round. Choose materials that match your space and taste but will not break the bank. You can make your small space feel bigger than it is by making wise choices about furniture placement and decorative elements like mirrors.

This is one of the best online interior design courses for creative minds. With a MasterClass membership, you can access all other courses, including interior design.

Instructor: Kelly Wearstler | For: All levels
Price: from $10/month. Access to all 180+ courses. Free trial.
Info: View course page. Compare pricing plans and browse all classes on MasterClass.

2. Interior Design from Start to Finish – Domestika

In interior design, understanding how measurements and proportions work is crucial. It is also essential to have a good sense and feel for any given space. This determines what materials, lighting, colors, and textures will look best. This class (visit website) will guide you through all these important steps and stages of interior design.

Let’s say you are about to provide an estimate for a client who needs a kitchen renovation. You will need to know how many square feet a kitchen typically is. How much counter space there is in that amount of square footage. And the depth of cabinets that will be available in that amount of counter space.

You can then determine whether your client will have enough storage in the current layout to accommodate their needs. This is a course for those who know how to draw and want to use their skills to design a project from beginning to end. This is one of the best courses to gain valuable expertise and generate lucrative interior design career opportunities.

Instructor: Ana García | Level: Beginner | Lessons: 22 | Time: 2 hours
Audio: English, Spanish | Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, etc.
Info: View course. From $17.99. Up to 75% off. Browse all design courses.

3. Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design – MasterClass

In his MasterClass (visit website), Corey Damen Jenkins will teach you how to become a successful designer and why interior design can have such an impact on people’s perceptions and well-being. Corey believes that interior design should be enjoyable and create places to inspire creativity, freedom, and mental or physical recovery.

With this class, you will learn from one of the best in the interior design business. Corey Damen Jenkins will walk you through his best strategies for achieving your dream home furnishings. You will learn about the various spaces in a home, along with all their functions.

Students also learn about color, texture, and how to apply them to their rooms for maximum impact. Finally, you will learn about the importance of space planning, color combinations, and making your home a haven you can truly enjoy every day. This is one of the best courses for ambitious planners and ongoing interior designers.

Instructor: Corey Damen Jenkins | For: All levels
Price: from $10/month. Access to all 180+ courses. Free trial.
Info: View course page. Compare pricing plans and browse all classes on MasterClass.

4. Learn How To Work With Interior Design Styles Like A Pro – Udemy

Many classes will teach you the basics, but this interior design course (visit website) stands out in its comprehensive approach covering 18 distinct interior design styles.

It begins by teaching you the basics of design, like color theory and material selection, which will help you grasp the concepts better when you move on to the following modules. It gives you the freedom to select the styles that interest you.

The class will then go into great detail about defining furniture characteristics, shared materials, appropriate color schemes, and patterns for each type. Afterward, students will also learn about window and floor covering options, lighting, artwork, and accessories.

It will teach you about lighting and its impact on your room’s entire look and feel, which is something that should be considered when doing a decoration project since it touches almost every aspect of it. This is among the best online interior design courses for beginners and students who don’t have any background in the subject.

Instructor: Erikka Fogleman. Udemy | Level: Beginners
Lectures: 38 | Video: 6 hours
Price: View course. From $11.99. Up to 95% off. Browse category on Udemy.

5. Design A Space You Love with Shea McGee

Design a Space You Love (visit website) is interior design guru Shea McGee’s MasterClass on the skills you need to “design, furnish, and decorate your home to reflect your personality and style.” An empty living room serves as the blank canvas for the Studio McGee CCO, who guides you step-by-step through her design process.

Whether you’re doing a quick home upgrade or a full-on reno, this MasterClass covers everything from creating a mood board (tip: use a fabric as a “jumping off point”) and choosing the right color palette, to taping out your furniture for a precise floor plan and purchasing carefully curated pieces that speak for you.

McGee splits her MasterClass into 3 focus areas: ‘Define your Space’, ‘Garner your Design Elements’, and ‘Activate your Vision’. During this journey, McGee shares her tips for decluttering and accentuating your space, putting up art, and accessorizing shelves, all part of crafting a clear, timeless design plan.

In true detail-oriented fashion, McGee also helps you strike the right balance between artificial and natural light, as well as dress-up shades and drapes. A key benefit of this course is that it’s applicable to numerous styles and budgets, making this an ideal course for anyone wishing to transform their space into one that feels like them.

Instructor: Neil Gaiman, MasterClass | For: All Levels
Price: from $10/month or $120/year. Access to all 180+ online courses.
Info: View course. Compare pricing plans and browse all online classes.

6. Interior Design Basics: Simple Steps to Your Perfect Space – Skillshare

Interior designers are more than just decorators. They use design principles that can be applied to your home, no matter how large or small. This popular class (visit website) is a great interior design course to explore the basics and fundamental concepts in detail.

Interior designers use four basic principles to create beautiful spaces every day. Study these principles, and you will be able to turn any room in your home into a tastefully designed space that expresses your personal style.

If you are not sure how to get started, this class will show you how to identify your personal style and create a color palette that is unique to you. Once the framework is in place, you will know how to add splashes of color through art, accessories, furniture, and more.

As you see your space come together, you will develop a deeper appreciation for the process of interior design and all it has to offer. This is among the best design classes for those who want to create gorgeous rooms in their home without having an interior designer on staff. Suitable for beginners.

Instructor: Lauren Cox. Skillshare | Level: Beginners
Skills: Interior design, colors, material, ideas
Info: View Class. From $15/month. | Get free 1-month Premium trial.

7. Online Interior Design Course by New York Institute of Art + Design

Interior design refers to planning, styling, and overseeing the construction of interior spaces. This degree can help students prepare for residential architecture, industrial design, and home design careers. Participants learn about the latest techniques in designing homes and commercial areas in an educational setting.

NYIAD is one of the oldest Interior Design Colleges in America, located in New York City near Union Square. Their programs are designed for committed professionals seeking advanced knowledge or part-time non-degree students who want to complement their education with programs tailored to their interests.

The NYIAD Interior Design Course focuses on providing solid knowledge in all aspects of interior design and developing a broad base of understanding in emerging technologies, building construction science, and computer-assisted design technology.

The program teaches the functional aspects of interior space organization and style concepts that generate creative solutions. It provides you with a balance between form and function while creating aesthetically pleasing and comfortable interiors. One of the best online interior design courses for those with professional career goals.

Provider: New York School of Art + Design | Duration: Self-paced
Approved by: Designer Society of America (DSA). RIDQC eligible.
Certificate: Yes | Price: From $799. Payment plans available.

Tip: To expand your expertise in the field of design, browse our reviews of illustrator courses, photoshop courses, and photography courses or graphic design courses, or fashion design courses.

8. Basic Interior Design Certificate Program – New York School of Interior Design

There are many great ways to study interior design online. One of the best is with the New York School of Interior Design. It is a great way to learn design principles, plus the career tips you will get from the faculty, and your fellow students will give you a competitive edge in today’s job market.

The Basic Interior Design certificate program is developed for individuals interested in designing spaces and interiors. This program is intended for individuals who already have a strong foundation in interior design’s technical and aesthetic principles and want to expand their knowledge of space planning, color, drafting and materials, and finishes.

Taught by experienced professionals in the field, this program offers a unique blend of traditional design and art education with the practical application of interior design skills needed to meet the demands of today’s workplace. This is one of the best interior design courses online if you want to study with a renowned school.

Provider: New York School of Interior Design | Duration: 2 Semesters
Certificate: Yes | Price: Request free prospectus. Apply for enrollment.

9. How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps – Udemy

Learning how to design a room can have its challenges. Udemy offers this comprehensive course (visit website), presented in an easy-to-follow, conversational format. The lessons are given from start to finish, without jumping around from one topic to another.

That is not just a concept-based interior design course for beginners. It is also a class that teaches you how to shop for furniture efficiently and what to look for when choosing materials, colors, shapes, and other factors that may impact room design significantly.

If you are looking for a practical interior design program that will teach you how to measure rooms, create floor plans, select your preferred style, and color scheme, and so on, this is certainly a great class worth being shortlisted.

Instructor: Erikka Fogleman. Udemy | Level: Beginners
Lectures: 36 | Video: 2 hours | User Rating: 4.5 ★★★★☆
Price: View course. From $11.99. Up to 95% off. Browse category on Udemy.

10. Introduction to Interior Design – Domestika

Designing space for living is the art of creating comfortable, functional, aesthetically pleasing surroundings that meet the needs and wishes of those who occupy them. The heart of interior design is a creative process integrating form and function. No two spaces are ever truly alike because every person’s lifestyle and tastes are different.

Designer Ana Hernández has been helping clients design their homes since 2010 with her Masquespacio creative studio. In her class (visit website), students learn the techniques to bring spaces to life and how to classify and organize lifestyles and materials.

You will also know how to manage colors, materials, and textures so that you can execute your projects flawlessly. By the end, you will master execution, reuse everyday objects, fill each environment with life, improve comfort, and create impact through color combinations. This is one of the best interior design courses online to combine techniques with your creativity for both professional and personal use.

Instructor: Masquespacio | Level: Beginner | Lessons: 15 | Time: 1.75 hours
Audio: Spanish | Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, etc.
Info: View course. From $17.99. Up to 75% off. Browse all design courses.

11. Online Interior Architecture & Design Degree – Academy of Art University

The Academy of Art University offers several online interior design courses. In this career path, you will learn to create dynamic interiors using innovative approaches to spatial organization, materials, and lighting. You will also understand the conceptual design basics in 2D and 3D space. As a practical part, you will apply your skills in commercial design projects and develop an identity package and portfolio at the end of the degree.

This class provides students with foundational knowledge about design principles and historical influences in interior design. Students will also comprehend the impact of design on the environment and natural harmony and the creative processes used in developing design solutions.

Other concepts to grasp include the elements that contribute to a balanced composition, including color, shape, weight, texture, and value. You will also explore drawing techniques used for creating perspective drawings, elevations, and plans, as well as computer-aided drawing tools for visualizing ideas through sketches and renderings.

Provider: Academy of Art University | Certificate: Yes
Accredited by: Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
Info: Request free prospectus and price. Apply for enrollment. Learn at your own pace.

Tip: courselounge curates eLearning opportunities. Browse our reviews of the best Udemy courses, Coursera courses, Skillshare classes, and Domestika courses.

12. Style Your Space: Creative Tips and Techniques for Interior Design – Skillshare

Style Your Space (visit websites) is a great class to gain the skills for redecorating and designing your home with confidence. Emily Henderson will teach you to see things differently and show you how to incorporate your personality into every room in your home.

In the class, you will explore and understand the range of different decoration styles and find the confidence and motivation to do it yourself. You will get a chance to flex your creative muscles by planning the ultimate room tour for Emily’s California mountain house. She also gives tips on how to create a sense of style. She teaches the importance of finding balance in all things, including personality and style.

Emily’s class shows how interior design can be a creative outlet, even if you are not an artist or designer. It shows that with a little hard work and effort, anyone can create their own unique spaces at home with their personality shining through. This is one of the best online interior design classes to learn effective techniques and have fun designing.

Instructor: Emily Henderson. Skillshare | Level: Beginners
Skills: Design, materials, style
Info: View Class. From $15/month. | Get free 1-month Premium trial.

13. Interior Design Course – The Interior Design Institute

Learn how to make a living with your interior design skills. This online program will teach you how to create stunning interiors for your clients and get paid for it. Students will understand the visual language and the basic terminologies, decoration, and architecture. Other topics include forms of decoration, design styles, and trends.

For the capstone project, you will get to prepare an interior design project through space planning. This will help you understand how to optimize space and fit furniture within its boundaries. Discover the basics of color theory. Learn how to mix colors, create color schemes with various gradients and match colors according to their temperature.

Finally, the class will explain which materials can be used for a specific project or achieve the right impact. This could be among the best programs online to become a freelancer or work on your own interior design projects.

Instructor: Darren Plamer Masterseries | Duration: 24 Weeks | Time: 4hrs/week
Price: from $999 upfront. Payment plans available. Complete it at your own pace.

14. Online Interior Design Certification Course – Upskillist

Among the many classes available, Upskillist offers a popular online interior design course to teach you the basics of designing interiors. The class also helps you learn about the various career options, including the requirements and the job duties.

Upskillist’s online interior design course focuses on various subjects, including room design techniques, product selection, color theory and its application to interiors, and other related topics. The course comprises videos, written content, and quizzes that test your knowledge of specific issues. You will also get a certificate.

For those looking for a career change, or those who want to learn more about design, this might be one of the best online interior design classes to enroll in.

By: Upskillist | Duration: 16 Weeks | Certificate: CPD Certified
Students: 800,000 | Price: $69/month. Access to all online courses. Start for free.

15. Diploma in Interior Design – Alison

When designing a room or an interior space, there are many things to consider, and Alison’s Diploma program is one way to professionalize that approach.

First of all, you need to understand the purpose of the interior in question. If it is a living room, it is more likely that you will use it for entertaining guests, so the furniture needs to be arranged for the comfort of your guests, and the aesthetics should not be distracting. If it is a bedroom, you will have to make it comfortable for sleeping and relaxing.

The next thing is to consider lighting. Lighting makes a huge difference and can totally change the ambiance of a space. Color is another major factor here and you will have to select colors that match your theme and complement each other without clashing or looking like they do not belong together.

Thus, in Alison’s online program, you will learn about the materials and textures used in an interior design project and know how to run your own business and offer interior design services at a high quality.

Publisher: CourseFlix, Alison | Certification: CPD | Level: Beginner
Duration: 10-15 hours | Price: Free online course. Take it at your own pace.

How to Choose the Best Interior Design Courses Online?

You can enroll in various online courses that will help you sharpen your interior design skills and achieve the knowledge required to become a professional interior designer. There are also challenges that you need to face when choosing the right course for you.

The duration of your course or certification

It is something that you should factor into your decision-making process. Some online courses might be suited for people who require a short-term program, while others might prefer a more extended period.

The duration of the study also determines how much time you will spend on completing it successfully. When choosing an online interior design course, it would be ideal to choose one that requires a short period for completion.

A good reputation

You should look for online interior design courses with a good reputation in the industry. A good reputation refers to the institution having a reputable curriculum and excellent teachers. Instructors provide students with advanced online learning facilities, online workshops and other resources to improve a student’s chances of success in the industry.

Professional programs

In addition, recognized and popular courses will have many past students who have succeeded in the industry after completing their programs. Interior design is a growing field, with increasing demand for trained professionals.

While it can be a hobby, it is rather a profession that requires expertise; thus, a solid education is crucial. A degree, diploma, or apprenticeship are good options here, whether that happens online or as in-person education.

Best Interior Design Courses Online – Summary

Wrapping up our list of the best interior design courses online 2024. Overall, taking an online interior design course is a good choice if you want to learn how to style your home and start a career as a professional designer or architect. However, you should know exactly what you are getting before committing to a particular career program.

Your time and money are valuable, so take your time to ensure that you find the best interior design courses online. When all is said and done, though, there really is a school for every taste out there. So, start searching today!

Type of interior design courses to become an interior designer

• Degrees and masters
• Specializations, diplomas & vocational classes
• Private tutoring and mentorships
• Corporate or business apprenticeships
• Creative art and craft classes

Best interior design schools

• Open University – Free Interior Design Courses Online
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
• The New School, Parsons School of Design
• New York Institute of Art + Design
• Syracuse University – Interior Design
• Academy of Art University
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Rhode Island School of Design
• Heriot-Watt University Dubai – BA (Hons) Interior Design
• Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) Diploma in Interior Design
• Glasgow School of Art – BA(Hons) Interior Design
• The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Best interior design courses based on location

• America – Interior Design at New York Institute of Art & Design
• UK – Online Structured Interior Design Degree at KLC School of Design
• Australia & NZ – Online Certificate In Interior Decoration at International School of Colour & Design or Advanced Diploma of Interior Design at Sydney Design School.

Resources

• SweetHome3D.com – Draw house plans and position furniture in 3D.
• Colorjive.com – Test different colors on your designs.
• Autodesk Homestyler – Free software for 2D and 3D floorplans.
• Howcast.com – Free instructional videos for interior designers

Are you planning to become a professional interior designer? What is your career path? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: What is interior design? – 1 | What is functional design? – 2 | What is 3D modeling? – 3 | Basic color theory – 4 | Elsie de Wolfe – 5 | Art Deco Paris – 6

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to some providers of online courses. courselounge may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. It does not add any extra costs. All reviews, opinions, descriptions and comparisons expressed here are our own.