Interior Design Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Interior designers are the fairy godmothers of our spaces.

Whether these spaces are for living, working, cooking, eating, exercising, or sleeping, interior designers know how to make a place attractive, inviting, and functional.

Even as an interior designer, designing a resume can feel tricky. Celebrating your magic ability in your interior designer resume to land that next creative project can feel daunting, but you can do it.

Regardless of your experience level or career goals, here are the five best Interior Design sample resumes that work every time.

So next time you need to dress up your resume, consider the following examples to get your creative juices flowing and share your proudest accomplishments.

Entry-level Interior Design Resume Example

Whether you’re a fresh college graduate or are leaping to the interior design industry from another, an entry-level interior design resume is the way to go!

This resume will probably highlight more of your soft skills depending on where you are in your career, especially if you did not graduate with an interior design degree.

Talking eloquently about your experiences can allow you to market yourself for an interior design position.

Objective

I am a recent graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. I have internship experience working for a local interior design firm on projects within a restaurant and local daycare.

I’m interested in working further on future small businesses and eateries.

 Interior Design Intern at Anjelica Talent

• Participated in group meetings with 9 senior designers, offering ideas, feedback, and suggestions for design proposals regarding nursery room renovations and restaurant waiting area.
• Created and distributed 3 client invoices paying critical attention to ensuring invoices reflected the services requested.
• Designed mockups using the computer software AutoCAD to showcase potential redesigns.
• Adhered to state and federal regulations for space renovations.
• Paid special attention to budget costs and maximized them by 10% while keeping quality materials.

Teaching Assistant for Introductory Interior Design Course

• Generated design exercises for students to familiarize themselves with AutoCAD and other design programming, resulting in better preparation for the final project.
• Explained state and federal regulations and introduced a failing mockup with which students identified reasons for failure and proposed solutions.  
• Monitored a group of 7 enrolled students on their progress in the class, served as a mentor to ask questions, offer advice, and assist when needed.
• Organized field trip to the local interior design firm, set up transportation, and reserved time for a Q&A session between students and firm members.
• Created and distributed helpful cheat guides for students to practice memorization of the federal and state regulations in design.

Project Experience

• Developed a complete 30,000 sq foot plan of the proposed school satisfying federal and state regulations and budget expectations for a class assignment.  
• Started a booth at a college fair to entice and inform prospective students about the interior design program.
• Served on the Interior Design Program committee, organized the final graduation ball, and managed member dues.

Skills

• Color basics
• Time Management
• Eye to Detail
• Communication
• Design Trends

Education

• High School Diploma from Oxford High School, GPA: 3.79
• Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Michigan State University, GPA: 3.7

Licenses and Accreditations

• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
• National Kitchen & Bath Association
• American Lighting Specialist

Why This Resume Works

This entry-level interior designer resume works because of the method that it elegantly introduces and shapes the applicant’s experiences. Employers see a versatile display of skills; this applicant is a leader, is organized, and is ambitious.

While this applicant is fresh out of college, their experiences are appropriately detailed and show that they have accomplished a lot while earning their degree, which is pertinent to the interior design industry.  

Entry-level interior design resumes are also perfect for those shifting into the interior design industry from another- what works is how you discuss your skills that can be transferable to an interior design position.

Time management and creativity are not unique to interior designers and would be wonderful to include.

Professional Interior Design Resume Example

A professional interior design resume will encompass all relevant interior design-related experiences.

You’ve been in this business for a long time, and your resume will reflect that by sharing your different responsibilities throughout various projects, therefore marketing your transferable skills.

Objective

I am an interior designer with 13 years of experience working across three firms. I enjoy and have experience sprucing up residential spaces and am interested in exploring designing commercial use spaces in healthcare and retail settings.

 Interior Designer at Forman Interior Design

• Collaborated and worked with a 10-person team to tackle between 65-85 major and minor projects annually.  
• Developed and implemented a new filing system to manage client orders, payments, installations, and invoices.
• Presented and prepared proposals and accurate estimates to clients, gaining customer satisfaction and referral.
• Used AutoCAD and SketchUp pro to create appropriate business models and refined models with client feedback to ensure satisfaction.
• Coordinated communication between clients, contractors, homeowners, and other necessary parties to ensure project completion was timely.

Interior Designer at Walsh Lake Interior Design

• Responsible for scheduling checkpoint meetings throughout construction to monitor the timeliness and project success for 75+ projects annually.
• Redesigned firm business cards and distributed them to local businesses, increasing public knowledge of design firms and aiding in a 7% uptick in business referrals/new customers.  
• Prepared mockup space presentations with Autodesk Revit and provided time and cost estimates to clients.
• Managed client orders, payments, remaining invoices, and installations to keep production efficient; increased by 13%.
• Attended and presented project updates during firm meetings to receive feedback and suggestions for better projects.

Project Experience

• Renovated unused elementary school wing into 3 high-functioning 5th-grade classrooms while fulfilling state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Maximized space usage in restaurant stockrooms by introducing organized inventory systems that improved functionality.
• Created and gave a presentation discussing design trends throughout history to a local community college.

Skills

• Design Trends and History  
• People and Communication skills
• Budget management
• Time Management
• Technology Competency

Education

• High School Diploma from Stoney Creek High School, GPA: 3.8
• Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design- Central Michigan University. GPA: 4.0

Licenses and Accreditations

• National Association of the Remodeling Industry
• National Association of Home Builders Membership
• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

Why This Resume Works

This Professional Interior Design resume works for a few reasons. For one, we have a collection of different experiences documented here. They’re all in the interior design field, of course, but come together and reflect how versatile this applicant is.

They have maintained several responsibilities and are even considered an expert. For instance, under project management, the applicant states that they gave a presentation at a local college! This is impressive because it shows they have the confidence and credibility to share a presentation with prospective interior designers.

We see some soft skills displayed through the way they interact with multiple different teams of people that make interior design projects come to life.

We have also been introduced to the different types of software that the individual has experience with, showing they also have hard skills that are specific to the position of an interior designer.

Having a mix of soft and hard skills and a variety of responsibilities in the same field makes for a strong candidate and resume.

Creative Interior Design Resume Example

Creativity is one of the most important parts of being an interior designer; how else can you be the godmother to all those spaces?

A creative interior design resume is the space to brag about your abilities as a visionary to land you that next role.

Objective

I am a creative interior designer with experience renovating and reshaping buildings in older towns. With about 15 years of experience in the residential and commercial disciplines, I’m ready to take on creative projects of all kinds to help communities.

 Interior Designer for Blakely Family

• Renovated 132 sq feet bedroom into nursery and loft by creating sketches on Sketch Up and adhering to client request.
• Redesigned and updated kitchen; created mockup blueprints with AutoCAD for potential appliance placements and increased kitchen functionality.
• Reconstructed kitchen pantry space by providing mockups and went on to increase storage usage by 50%.
• Communicated with clients and provided regular cost prediction plans for transparency and customer satisfaction.
• Created a 12-month timeline for the project and finished on time with minimal issues, resulting in customer referrals.  

Interior Designer at Jefferson Inn

• Updated bedroom curtains and lighting fixtures for a modernistic feel.
• Selected and applied new paint on front doors, resulting in freshened presentation.
• Created 6 mockups of different historic-themed concepts for guest bedrooms to the client’s request and implemented 50% of the mockups.
• Assisted clients to maximize their budget by 17%, allowing the project to be completed at once and sooner rather than in stages.  
• Communicated and provided clients with advice and accurate cost predictions.

Project Experience

• Member of Interior Design Chapter at alma mater.  
• Paint Desk assistant at Home Depot store.
• Independent jewelry shop owner on Etsy.

Skills

• Technology Competency
• Spatial Awareness
• Creative
• Time Management
• Organization
• Communication

Education

• GED from West Bloomfield High School, GPA: 3.9
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Park University, GPA: 3.7

Licenses and Accreditations

• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
• International WELL Building Institute
• National Kitchen & Bath Association

Why This Resume Works

This Creative Interior Design resume works because it provides experiences that are relevant to that degree, and fleshes out the proper skills in action as it details responsibilities for each experience.

Student Interior Design Resume Example

This student interior design resume example is suitable for someone in school pursuing an interior design degree. This may be most likely used for someone trying to attract an internship while in school, or attracting an internship after they’ve finished school.

 With this resume, they are introducing themselves and sharing their previous experiences in and out of outside academia to show they are ready to learn and bring skills that can be further fostered in the interior design setting.

Objective

I am a student currently pursuing my Interior Design degree. I am a hard worker who enjoys doing math problems and has developed strong people skills through my experiences. After I obtain my degree, I’m most interested in working with commercial spaces, such as coffee houses, retail stores, or restaurants.

 Waitress at Lulu’s Bar and Grill

• Greeted guests with a smile and handled customer complaints graciously to encourage returning customers.  
• Served and suggested specials, causing a 16% increase in special orders.
• Developed a new online page to place takeout orders and create reservations, resulting in a 20% increase in newer guests.
• Satisfied customers with friendly and positive attitudes, resulting in being voted waitress of the month three times.
• Trained 2 new waitresses before leaving the position; trainees were confident and didn’t require additional guidance.

Movie Theater Team Member

• Served concessions and sold tickets with a smile while answering any questions regarding ticket or concession discounts.
• Pitched and started a new deal “Fun Friday” with 50% off children’s tickets and snacks, resulting in a 46% increase in younger patrons.
• Kept inventory throughout the theater of snacks, popcorn buckets, cleaning supplies, and more to ensure the theater never ran out or had excessive amounts.
• Performed daily cleaning duties in the bathroom, food counter, and throughout theaters to maintain cleanliness and hygiene for guests and coworkers.
• Trained 4 new younger employees in a 3-month timeline, resulting in more productivity and more confidence in the younger employees.

Project Experience

• Girl Scout Leader for a family member’s troop; assisted and guided cookie sales, handled transactions, and turned in orders timely to be processed.  
• Assisted in high school stagecraft, helping provide measurements and ideas in creating a set for a production of The Little Mermaid.
• Created a blueprint map of an ideal business for an economics class; ensured the blueprint met hypothetical client orders and fulfilled state and federal building codes.

Skills

• Color Basics
• Functional spaces
• Precision
• Design trends
• Budgeting management  

Education

• GED from North Branch High School, GPA: 3.8
• Pursuing Bachelor’s in Design at Cornell University  

Licenses and Accreditations

• In the process of receiving the National Association of the Remodeling Industry
• In the process of receiving an American Lighting Specialist
• In the process of receiving the National Council for Interior Design Qualification

Why This Resume Works

This Student Interior design resume works because it mentions a strong deal of soft skills that would be relevant and needed in an interior design position.

The student talks about their people skills as a waitress and shows leadership by training new employees in both working experiences.

In the project experience, we see a knack for numbers and creativity in assisting with the high school stagecraft and in their blueprint map for an economics class.

This resume works because it shows the applicant has ambition and goals and their experience backs that up.  

Commercial Interior Design Resume Example

Commercial interior design resumes will showcase to employers that your experience is all within the commercial level; making business spaces more functional, aesthetically pleasing, safer, etc.

Objective

I have 10 years of experience as a commercial interior designer. With solo and group firm projects under my belt, I’m looking to expand into redesigning and refreshing cityscapes and other commercial spaces.

Interior Designer for Phillip’s Publishing Co

• Updated and renovated 2000 sq ft office space to reflect new state and federal building regulations.
• Replaced and reinvigorated workstations for 40 employees to increase sunlight access and productivity and improve accessibility in the office setting.
• Communicated with contractors, businesses, and landlords to solidify the timeline, budget, constraints, and other details essential for the project.
• Created 6 mockups using SketchUp Pro and presented them to contractors, businesses, and landlords; using feedback to revise and provide 14 possible mockups for the project.
• Evaluated client requests and maximized budget by 16%.

Interior Designer for Matilde’s Coffee House  

• Renovated and expanded seating area, increasing seating availability from 10 to 20 guests.
• Developed 3 possible mockups for the client using SketchUp Pro software, all within criteria and budget constraints, to present variety and creativity.  
• Introduced a new lighting system to help update lamps and reinvigorate the space.
• Saw an uptick in visitors by 15% thanks to renovations opening up the area.
• Communicated with contractors and business owners and provided cost predictions for a smooth business transaction.

Project Experience

• Served as vice president of the interior design chapter at alma mater; worked on recruiting new members and developing a welcoming environment to increase membership by 30%.  
• Developed and led 3 presentations discussing the importance of spatial awareness for prospective interior design students at alma mater.
• Trained 2 new interior design team members, introducing them to protocol and the firm’s atmosphere, fostering confidence and excitement about a new position.

Skills

• Numeracy
• Spacial awareness
• Color Basics
• Design styles
• Organization

Education

• GED from Lake Orion High School, GPA: 3.7
• Bachelor of Arts in Design from Savannah College of Art & Design

Licenses and Accreditations

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
• National Association of Home Builders Membership
• American Lighting Specialist

Why This Resume Works

This resume for a commercial interior design works because of the different ways it incorporates numbers and shares a variety of skills and responsibilities. Numbers catch a recruiter’s attention because they help them to visualize your impact.

While a job recruiter knows the applicant has experience in commercial interior design work, the bullet points help expand and explain what that experience entails.

All these skills inform them of your knowledge and credibility, which is essential to landing you a great new opportunity!

Common Skills and Action Verbs To Include On an Interior Design Resume

Interior Design is a creative and intricate industry to pursue and should be described as such on your resume through carefully chosen skills and action verbs.

Talking about your experiences in an elevated way and using these common skills and action verbs will flag your application for potential employers.

Consider a day of work and all the responsibilities entailed; beyond choosing paint colors, selecting a design theme, and perusing furniture, measurements, costs, and safety standards are also critical.  

These buzzwords, words that describe the skills and actions we perform daily, remind employers of the creativity and tenacity involved in the field.

Common Skills for Interior Design Resumes

• Color Basics
• Time Management
• Budget Management
• Design Concepts
• Functional Space
• Communication Skills
• Organization skills
• Technology Programs
• Harmony and Balance
• Precision
• Knowledge of building codes
• People skills
• Math
• Spacial Awareness
• Creativity
• Flexible

 Common Action verbs for Interior Design Resumes

• Planned
• Managed
• Organized
• Presented
• Evaluated
• Developed
• Designed
• Created
• Produced
• Provided
• Revised
• Corrected
• Discussed
• Assessed
• Maintained

Tips for Writing a Better Interior Design Resume

The following tips can be beneficial for resumes within any field.

These tips help call attention to your resume and invite a job recruiter to take the time to read and get to know you and what you’re about through your resume.

Emphasize that you are willing to learn

Let’s say that going into interior design is a new venture for you; this might leave you feeling nervous about trying to make yourself stand out against other applicants.

Besides mentioning your soft skills (skills that can apply across all field disciplines, things like communication and time management), make sure to say “no experience but willing to learn.”

Incorporating this shares that you have strong ambition.

Mentioning this and being able to back it up through your experience bullet points tells recruiters that you’re familiar with unknown job industries and coming out on top. They’ll know you did it once and that you can do it again.

When in doubt, numbers out

It’s no secret that recruiters don’t spend long evaluating resumes. They see so many in a day from many applicants, so you have to pique their interest sooner than later.

Incorporating numbers to explain your experiences and contributions will give job recruiters a visual of your accomplishments. Discuss percentages, the number of team members you worked with or trained, the number of projects you finished, how many months you had to fulfill a deadline, etc.

These numbers show recruiters your productivity, your responsibilities, and many other things.

The WHO Method

The WHO Method is a common strategy resume writers use to flesh out their experiences to show job recruiters their impact on a project or at a company. WHO stands for what you did, how you did it, and the outcome of it.

Say that you pitched a new business protocol. It’s helpful to include because it shows initiative; how did you suggest or implement this new business protocol? Explaining how you did so shows your leadership and creativity. And finally, what happened after you presented and implemented this idea?

Did sales increase? Did the budget expand? Did customer complaints decrease? These details through the WHO method help illustrate how your contributions better the company.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about the best in interior design.

Similar Resume Types to Reference

Not looking to write an Interior Design resume? Here are resume guides for other creativity-based occupations:

• Graphic Design Resume: Designing a resume is difficult, no doubt. If you require inspiration for a graphic design resume, consider these examples.  
• Designer Resume: Designers, it’s your time to shine here!
• Event Planner Resume: Show people you have what it takes to take their special event to the next level by redesigning your event planner resume here.

Wrapping Up

Resume writing can be stressful, but it shouldn’t be.

These examples have inspired me and bolstered my confidence in my job search; with these notes and samples, I can reframe my resume as it needs to be.

If you liked and enjoyed these interior design resume examples, please share them with a friend or share comments with us.