Making the decision to switch careers into interior design can feel daunting…I know this because I once stood where you are now. My background was in International Management and Spanish, not design, and yet something in me knew interiors was where I felt like I truly belonged. Looking back, I can see the seeds were planted much earlier. I moved home eight times before I turned eighteen, and my mother, a single parent, tackled every DIY project herself. By the time I was a teenager I already knew how to strip wallpaper and paint walls. Being involved in creating a home from such a young age left a lasting impression on me, and ultimately shaped the path I chose to follow.
When I launched Sophie Paterson Interiors back in 2008, I had no formal training, I had experience renovating my own home in London and the homes of a few friends and family. But most importantly, I had determination, curiosity, and a relentless drive to learn. Looking back, I realise the journey is less about having all the answers up front and more about approaching each stage with a willingness to know every detail of a project inside and out before settling on an answer.
HERE ARE MY 5 TIPS TO HELP YOU SWITCH CAREERS INTO INTERIOR DESIGN
1. Assess and Develop Your Skills
The first step when you switch careers into interior design is to take stock of what you already bring to the table. You might be surprised at how transferable your existing skills are. For example, if you’ve managed teams or projects, you already understand scheduling, budgets, and organisation, three things that underpin every successful design project. If you’re a good communicator, you’ll find that invaluable when guiding clients through a process that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Then comes the design learning itself. Start by familiarising yourself with the fundamentals: space planning, proportions, and balance. I began by sketching layouts by hand before moving onto tools like AutoCAD and SketchUp. Today, technical fluency in CAD, Photoshop and InDesign is a must in any studio environment, but don’t let that intimidate you. These are skills you can learn step by step, and they will make you far more employable when you’re ready to approach a design firm.
Most importantly, allow yourself to experiment with creativity. When I was first finding my style, I spent hours playing with fabrics, creating concept boards, and visiting showrooms. The more you train your eye, the more confident you become in expressing your own design voice. That’s where the magic really starts when you switch careers into interior design, developing a perspective that feels authentic to you.
2. Gain Experience & START BUILDING YOUR PORTFOLIO
The fastest way to grow when you switch careers into interior design is through real-world practice. Education is valuable, but experience is transformative. While a formal degree can provide a foundation, it’s far from the only route. Short courses, workshops, and online learning can be just as effective, especially when paired with hands-on projects.
That’s why I created the Sophie Paterson Academy, my first and only online interior design course. When I was starting out, there were so many things I wished someone had told me, practical, behind-the-scenes insights you don’t always learn at design school. My online interior design course is my way of sharing that knowledge: from how to put together professional concept boards, to managing timelines, working with suppliers, and creating spaces that truly reflect a client’s lifestyle. In short, my online interior design course designed to give aspiring designers the tools, confidence, and insider perspective to step into the industry with clarity.
When I was building my career, I didn’t have a portfolio or the opportunity to intern. So I started small, reimagining my own home, helping friends, and even sketching out concepts for imaginary projects using estate agent floor plans. These early exercises became the first stepping stones in my journey. If you’re serious about making the leap, use every opportunity you can to design, whether it’s personal projects, family homes, or enrolling in my online interior design course. Every project, big or small, adds to your skill set and begins to shape your design identity.
3. Build Your Network
When you switch careers into interior design, relationships matter just as much as talent. Attend design fairs, exhibitions, and talks. Explore places like Chelsea Harbour, where you’ll find the leading fabric houses and suppliers, it’s a brilliant education in itself. Social media is another powerful tool; much of my early client base came through Instagram and it still does to this day. Use it to share your work, connect with designers you admire, and build your community.
4. Launching Your Career
The moment you feel ready to fully switch careers into interior design, you’ll need both courage and strategy. As already discussed many people like myself began with either their own homes or freelance projects, friends, family, or small-scale commissions and those can be invaluable stepping stones. They give you experience not just with design, but with clients, budgets, and contractors. However, enrolling in even a short interior design course like my online interior design course can give you the fundamental skills you will need to avoid making expensive mistakes.
Another route is joining a larger design firm. Big studios are wonderful training grounds; you’ll learn systems, processes, and how to manage complex projects. But whether you go freelance or into a firm, or do a online interior design course, what will truly set you apart is your mindset.
I always look for candidates who combine technical skills with the right attitude: resourceful, organised, and endlessly curious. You can learn CAD and CGI, you can memorise the fabric houses and antique suppliers, but grit and determination are harder to teach so make sure you build up your resilience as you will need it in this industry.
5. My Honest & UNFILTERED Advice
To truly succeed when you switch careers into interior design, you need to wear many hats. Yes, you must be a designer, but also a project manager, and a diplomat. Clients aren’t just buying a sofa or a paint colour based off your opinion, they’re trusting you and your vision, to build a home based on their lifestyle. Often your client’s home is their biggest investment. Therefore the best designer should be a great listener and have empathy as much as creativity.
It’s also worth saying: this career is glamorous on the surface but demanding underneath. You’ll spin many plates at once, solve endless problems, and sometimes work thanklessly behind the scenes. But if you love design, if it excites you to walk into a space and imagine its potential, then all the late nights and hard work are more than worth it.
If you’d like to hear more about my own personal journey, watch my video here:
How I Became an Interior Designer – My Biggest Lessons & Advice
For more inspiration, explore our portfolio to see how I translate timeless design principles into distinctive, character-filled homes. For exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including project reveals, product collaborations, and more insights into our design process, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
And for daily inspiration, updates, and a closer look at life inside the studio, follow us on Instagram @sophiepatersoninteriors and Tik Tok @sophiepatersoninteriors
