Print this page Certificate Interior Decoration

This Certificate in Interior Decoration programme is a full-time 12-week course that focuses on the decorative aspects of interior design.

As a student you will gain a thorough grounding in both the art and practice of interior decoration, which will prepare you to work initially as a specialist member in larger interior design teams.

Certificate Interior Decoration – course objectives

In this interior decoration course you will learn how to:

• plan space, storage and furniture layouts
• present lighting plans, colour and fabric schemes with suitable decorative finishes
• take client’s instructions and analyse the brief, identifying alternative solutions
• prepare decorative schemes and present these to clients.

Certificate Interior Decoration – course contents

Design skills

In this part of the interior decoration course you will examine interior design skills: how the designer approaches a brief, the planning of spaces, including bathrooms and kitchens, practical ergonomics and the presentation of design and decorating ideas. You will study sourcing, specifications and schedules of work.

Colour

You will learn the basic principles of colour and develop your knowledge of tone and hue through experimentation with paints, papers and fabrics. You consider the relationship between colour and light as well as their psychological impact.

Light

Lighting is one of the most important elements in an interior so it is essential to be conversant with lighting systems in detail. You will learn to plan domestic lighting schemes and will explore modern lighting methodology and sources of supply.

Finishes

You will consider hard finishes, both the immense variety of manmade products as well as natural ones, such as timber, marble and stone.You look at suitable treatments for these products and how to apply them, as well as the use of wallpaper and paint finishes. All these aspects are vital to the overall design of a space and its impact.

Upholstery

In this part of the interior decoration course you will learn about the use of textiles for floors, walls and window treatments, as well as furniture upholstery and detailing. You will also consider the design of window treatments including specifying, measuring and costing.

Development of style

The history of style is the basic foundation of contemporary design. In this part of the course you will explore the principles of classicism – essential to understanding the Renaissance – and the subsequent styles of furniture and decoration as they developed from the 17th century to the present day.

Construction

The methodology used in traditional and contemporary buildings is essential to design education, even though in your role as interior decorator you must refer to specialists, such as architects or surveyors. You will explore the construction of buildings and the services required in modern domestic buildings.

Drawing

In this part of the interior decoration course you will learn the basics of technical drawing to scale, including plans and elevations as well as in axonometric. You will survey a space and consider the problems of conservation rules and regulations. In addition you will do exercises in sketching and rendering drawings in coloured pencils.

Certificate Interior Decoration – course teaching methods

Although the Interior decoration course is predominantly lecture-based, visits and a two-week drawn project are also scheduled into the timetable.

There are no formal entry requirements but you must demonstrate a commitment to deal with the heavy workload and the maturity to contribute to the course groups.

If you wish to apply to join this full-time Certificate in Interior Decoration course, contact the Course Administrator to arrange an informal interview with the Course Director.

You may be interested in our other interior design courses to complement or extend your work on this interior decoration course: Interior Design Drawing Course, CAD courses, Diploma Architectural Interior Design.