Interior Designer Resume examples & templates

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Copyable resume examples

Copyable Interior Designer Resume examples

Ever walked into a space that instantly made you feel something? That's the invisible magic of interior design. Behind those perfectly placed pillows and statement lighting fixtures is a blend of artistic vision and technical know-how that transforms empty rooms into living stories. Interior designers don't just make spaces pretty—they solve complex spatial puzzles while juggling client needs, building codes, and budget constraints. And the field is booming: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a solid 5% growth for interior designers through 2031, with particular demand in sustainable and wellness-focused design.

We're seeing fascinating shifts in the industry right now. Biophilic design (bringing nature indoors) isn't just a trend but a movement, with studies showing these environments can reduce stress by up to 16%. Virtual reality presentations are replacing traditional mood boards, letting clients "walk through" spaces before a single wall is painted. And as remote work reshapes how we live, designers are reimagining homes as flexible environments that serve multiple functions. Whether you're drawn to residential transformations, commercial spaces, or specialized niches like healthcare design, this career offers endless creative challenges for those with the right mix of vision and practical skills.

Junior Interior Designer Resume Example

Olivia Chen

Portland, OR | (503) 412-8765 | ochen.designs@email.com | linkedin.com/in/oliviachen-design

Junior Interior Designer with hands-on experience in residential and commercial projects. Skilled in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite with a keen eye for spatial planning and material selection. Passionate about creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing spaces that reflect clients’ needs and personalities. Quick learner who thrives in collaborative environments.

Experience

Junior Interior Designer – Westside Design Studio, Portland, OR (June 2022 – Present)

  • Support lead designers on 7+ commercial office projects ranging from 2,500 to 12,000 sq ft
  • Create preliminary space plans and 3D visualizations using SketchUp and AutoCAD
  • Research and recommend sustainable materials and furnishings that align with client budgets
  • Assist with on-site measurements and photo documentation for renovation projects
  • Helped reduce project documentation time by 18% by creating standardized material presentation templates

Design Intern – Huxley Home Interiors, Portland, OR (January 2022 – May 2022)

  • Shadowed senior designers during client consultations and site visits
  • Assembled material boards and mood collages for 5 residential projects
  • Maintained the material library and cataloged new vendor samples
  • Drafted simple floor plans and elevation drawings under supervision

Retail Associate – Modern Home Furnishings, Portland, OR (May 2021 – December 2021)

  • Advised customers on furniture selection and space planning for their homes
  • Created merchandise displays that increased department sales by 11%
  • Developed product knowledge of contemporary furniture design and materials

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
Portland School of Design, Portland, OR
Graduated: May 2021

GPA: 3.75/4.0
Senior Project: Adaptive Reuse Design for a Historic Warehouse Conversion

Certifications & Training:

  • LEED Green Associate (In Progress, expected completion August 2023)
  • Sustainable Materials Workshop – Portland Design Week (April 2022)
  • AutoCAD Fundamentals Certificate (March 2021)

Skills

  • Technical: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit (basic), Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator
  • Design: Space planning, 3D visualization, material selection, color theory, lighting design
  • Soft Skills: Client communication, project coordination, team collaboration, attention to detail
  • Knowledge: Residential codes, ADA guidelines, sustainable design practices

Professional Affiliations

  • American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) – Allied Member
  • Emerging Design Professionals Portland – Member

Portfolio: oliviachen-portfolio.com

Mid-level Interior Designer Resume Example

Olivia Mendez

Portland, OR | (503) 555-4218 | olivia.mendez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/oliviamendez

Creative interior designer with 5+ years of experience blending functionality with aesthetics across residential and commercial projects. Known for thoughtful space planning and material selection that respects client budgets while exceeding expectations. Strong project management skills with a knack for vendor negotiations that saved clients an average of 14% on furnishings last year.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Interior Designer, Cascade Design Studios, Portland, OR
June 2021 – Present

  • Lead designer for 8 high-end residential projects ($75K-$350K range) from concept to completion, maintaining 100% client satisfaction
  • Manage 2 junior designers and coordinate with architects, contractors, and clients to ensure seamless project execution
  • Created a standardized material sourcing database that cut procurement time by 27% and helped identify sustainable alternatives
  • Negotiated with 15+ vendors to secure trade discounts averaging 22% below retail pricing
  • Designed an award-winning restaurant space that increased customer dwell time by 35 minutes, boosting average check size by $28

Interior Designer, Urban Home Interiors, Seattle, WA
March 2019 – May 2021

  • Completed 14 full-home and 23 single-room residential design projects, earning 4.9/5 client satisfaction rating
  • Developed custom furniture pieces for space-challenged urban apartments that became a signature offering
  • Collaborated with marketing team to create before/after content that generated 47 qualified leads
  • Implemented a material sample check-out system that reduced sample loss by 64%

Junior Designer, Becker & Associates, Portland, OR
January 2018 – February 2019

  • Assisted senior designers with space planning, material selection, and client presentations
  • Created detailed CAD drawings and 3D renderings for 12 commercial and residential projects
  • Researched sustainable material alternatives that met both budget constraints and environmental goals
  • Organized the firm’s material library and digitized over 450 fabric samples

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design
Portland State University, Portland, OR – 2017
Senior project featured in Pacific Northwest Design magazine, Spring 2017

Certificate in Sustainable Design Practices
Oregon Green Building Council – 2020

SKILLS

  • AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, Adobe Creative Suite
  • 3D visualization and rendering
  • Space planning and furniture layouts
  • Material and finish selection
  • Lighting design fundamentals
  • Project estimation and budgeting
  • Vendor and contractor coordination
  • Sustainable/eco-friendly design principles
  • Building codes and ADA compliance
  • Client presentations and communication

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Member, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
  • Attendee, NeoCon Commercial Design Conference, 2019 & 2022
  • Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), 2021

Senior / Experienced Interior Designer Resume Example

Natalie Rivera

Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8724 | nrivera.design@email.com | linkedin.com/in/natalierivera

Accomplished Interior Designer with 9+ years creating inspired commercial and residential spaces. Known for balancing client vision with practical constraints while staying on-budget. My background in sustainability and historic preservation brings unique perspective to projects ranging from boutique retail to luxury residential. Passionate about creating spaces that tell stories and enhance lives.

Professional Experience

Senior Interior Designer | Axis Design Studio | Chicago, IL | March 2020 – Present

  • Lead designer for 7-figure commercial projects including a downtown boutique hotel renovation and corporate headquarters for tech startup
  • Manage team of 3 junior designers and coordinate with architects, contractors, and vendors throughout project lifecycle
  • Pitched and won 5 new accounts worth $1.2M in combined revenue by creating compelling presentations and building client rapport
  • Developed sustainable design standards that reduced material waste by 31% while maintaining aesthetic vision
  • Created specialized “adaptive reuse” approach for historic buildings that preserved character elements while modernizing functionality

Interior Designer | Morgan + Levy Design Associates | Chicago, IL | June 2017 – February 2020

  • Designed custom furnishings and interior spaces for high-end residential clients with budgets from $200K to $1.5M
  • Produced detailed construction documents, material specifications, and furniture layouts for implementation
  • Collaborated with architects and engineers to ensure seamless integration of structural elements with interior design
  • Featured in Chicago Home magazine for innovative urban loft renovation that maximized 1,200 sq ft space

Junior Designer | Westlake Interiors | Portland, OR | August 2014 – May 2017

  • Assisted senior designers on commercial projects including restaurants, retail spaces, and boutique offices
  • Created detailed AutoCAD drawings, material boards, and 3D renderings for client presentations
  • Researched and sourced materials, fixtures, and furnishings within strict budget parameters
  • Managed vendor relationships and material orders for 12+ concurrent projects

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design | Pratt Institute | Brooklyn, NY | 2014

LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) | U.S. Green Building Council | 2016

National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) | 2018

Certificate in Historic Preservation | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 2019

Technical Skills

  • AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp Pro, 3D Studio Max
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
  • Space planning & furniture layouts
  • Material & finish specifications
  • Construction documentation
  • Lighting design & fixtures selection
  • Sustainable design practices
  • Building codes & ADA compliance
  • Project budgeting & cost estimation
  • Vendor management & procurement

Professional Affiliations

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Member
International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Member
Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA)

How to Write an Interior Designer Resume

Introduction

Your resume is often the first impression potential clients or employers have of your design sensibilities. Just like a well-designed space tells a story about its inhabitants, your resume should tell your professional story at a glance. In my 15+ years helping interior designers land jobs at firms ranging from boutique studios to major commercial outfits, I've seen what works (and what doesn't). This guide will walk you through creating a resume that showcases both your technical skills and creative vision.

Resume Structure and Format

The structure of your resume matters almost as much as the content. Think of it as the floor plan of your professional story:

  • Keep length to 1-2 pages (one page for junior designers, two max for veterans)
  • Use clean, professional fonts (Helvetica, Garamond, or Proxima Nova work well)
  • Include subtle design elements that showcase your aesthetic without overwhelming
  • Maintain generous white space (cramped layouts reflect poorly on your design sensibility)
  • Consider including a small portfolio link or QR code that leads to your work samples
Pro tip: Save your resume as both a clean ATS-friendly PDF and a slightly more designed version. Send the ATS-friendly one when applying through job portals, and bring the designed version to interviews.

Profile/Summary Section

This 3-4 sentence opener needs to pack a punch. Rather than saying "Experienced interior designer with a passion for spaces," try something like: "NCIDQ-certified residential designer with 7+ years creating functional luxury spaces for high-net-worth clients in the Boston area. Known for blending classic New England elements with contemporary flourishes while maintaining strict budget adherence."

Your summary should touch on your specialty (residential, commercial, hospitality), certification status, years of experience, and what makes your approach unique.

Professional Experience

This section carries the most weight. For each position, include:

  • Company name, location, and dates (month/year)
  • Your official title
  • 3-6 bullet points highlighting achievements (not just responsibilities)
  • Specific metrics where possible (project budgets, square footage, client retention rates)

Example of a strong bullet point:
"Led full-scale renovation of 3,200 sq. ft. Victorian home, preserving 73% of original architectural elements while incorporating modern amenities, resulting in feature coverage in Architectural Digest and a 31% increase in property value."

Education and Certifications

Include your formal education, but also emphasize industry-specific certifications:

  • NCIDQ certification (absolute must-have for senior roles)
  • LEED credentials (especially important for commercial design)
  • State-specific licenses (CA, FL, NV, and other regulated states)
  • Software proficiencies (AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, 3D Max, V-Ray)
  • Specialized training (lighting design, kitchen & bath, sustainable materials)

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many design firms now use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter candidates. To get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Mirror language from the job posting
  • Include specific software names rather than "design software proficiency"
  • Mention building codes and regulations familiarity when relevant
  • List specific materials you've worked with (natural stone, reclaimed woods, etc.)
  • Name drop well-known vendors and manufacturers you've worked with

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these terms throughout your resume (where accurate):

  • FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment)
  • Space planning
  • Millwork design
  • Construction documentation
  • Rendering and visualization
  • Client presentation
  • Sustainable design practices
  • Vendor management

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using design jargon without backing it up with concrete examples
  • Including a photo (standard in some countries but can lead to bias in the US)
  • Focusing on artistic vision without addressing practical skills
  • Neglecting to mention project management or budget experience
  • Using an overly decorative layout that makes the resume hard to read

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for selecting furniture and materials for clients."

After: "Curated custom FF&E packages for 12 luxury residential projects ($250K-1.2M budgets), negotiating with 27 vendors to achieve 18% average cost savings while maintaining design integrity and exceeding client expectations."

The difference? Specificity, scope, and results—the three elements that will make your interior design resume stand out in a crowded field.

Soft skills for your Interior Designer resume

  • Active listening – can translate client needs into design concepts while staying within budget constraints
  • Project coordination across multiple stakeholders (contractors, clients, suppliers) while keeping timelines on track
  • Conflict resolution when balancing aesthetic preferences against practical requirements
  • Presentation skills – comfortable pitching design concepts to both individual clients and corporate boards
  • Adaptability when working with tight deadlines or unexpected site conditions
  • Client relationship management – built repeat business with 84% of previous clients

Hard skills for your Interior Designer resume

  • AutoCAD & Revit for 2D/3D spatial design and technical documentation
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) for client presentations
  • SketchUp Pro with V-Ray rendering for photorealistic visualizations
  • Specification writing and FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) procurement
  • Building code compliance and ADA accessibility requirements
  • Material library management and vendor relationship coordination
  • Construction document preparation (millwork details, reflected ceiling plans)
  • Budgeting and cost estimation for projects ranging from $75K-2.5M
  • NCIDQ certification and LEED Green Associate accreditation