It may sound like being an interior decorator is a great job - and while it is for many, the job itself is probably not as simple as it appears! There is a lot more to the job than just picking a few colours, and slapping them on, before filling the room with furniture.
An interior decorator cannot just turn up and paint a room. They must first form a plan to which they will work, and in most cases will have to explain the plan to the homeowner, who may disagree with the plan, or may want certain specifics changing. An interior designer must also be versatile - you may one day be working in a modern, open plan apartment; before moving onto a Victorian multi-bedroomed home. In each you must consider the heritage behind the home, as well as the desires of the owner.
In most cases, you will also need to be able to put your ideas into practice. You will be responsible for ordering any paints, materials and furniture, as well as hiring any contractors who may be required.
As a result, communication is an important quality to have. You will need to communicate with your employers, to ensure you agree on any designs and changes, and you will also need to communicate with suppliers and contractors, to ensure that they carry out the desires of the homeowner.
You will also be required to relate to the homeowner - you should be able to show your plans using drawings and paste-ups, as well as be able to explain them verbally. This helps your client understand your plans, as they can be visualised much more easily.
As an interior decorator, you must also have some general knowledge of the painting and decorating industry. You will be running a business, and therefore need to know about the industry and its functions, so that you accurately plan, cost and invoice your jobs. You will need to know all about the materials you can use, their uses and their costs, in order for you to work with them, and share the knowledge of them with your client. You must also have a range of contacts you can use in the event of requiring a subcontractor.
The career of an interior decorator is certainly varied - but if, as an applicant, the above sounds too complex, or not interesting enough, then this is not the career path for you!