Interior Design Resume Examples & Writing Tips
Written By Nathan SotoCareer Expert & PR Specialist
Reviewed By Samuel JohnsSenior Content Editor & Certified Professional Resume Writer
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths. Nathan’s articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, including Forbes,...
Once your resume is ready, craft a tailored interior design cover letter that explains why you’re passionate about the role and the company.
Interior design resumes by experience level
Want a different resume look? Check out our full range of resume templates.
Interior Design Cover Letter & Related Resumes
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Interior design resume template
This copy-and-paste version uses a resume format that highlights your career progression:
[Your Name]
[Your Address], [City, State]
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
Innovative interior designer with 10 years of experience in project management, space planning, and computer-aided design. Proven ability to transform client ideas into beautiful, functional design solutions. Skilled in color combinations, area improvement, and use of materials and illumination, driving innovative and personalized creations.
Integrated Design Solutions, Provincetown, MA | May 20XX – Present
- Oversee all aspects of 100+ interior design projects for residential and commercial clients, and office buildings with a budget of up to $200K
- Ensure effective cost measures for efficiency and profitability through initial assessment, design analysis, proposal, scheduling, and closing
- Manage multiple projects, including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, closets, terraces, reception areas, hotel rooms, and offices up to 7,000 sq. ft.
- Prepare specification books, including furniture, fabrics, and finishes for 5- to 6-bedroom layouts, presidential suites, restaurants, lobbies, and spas
Michael’s Interiors, Boston, MA | August 20XX – April 20XX
- Participated in client meetings, evaluating needs and creating drawings
- Created innovative design concepts and conducted programming efforts, including space planning, layout, and use of furnishings, lighting, and color coordination
- Incorporated integrated sustainable design solutions into projects, preparing 2D and 3D presentation/design drawings
- Achieved profit margin over 47% by assisting the project manager in subcontracting fabrication, installation, and arrangement of materials, finishes, and furnishings
New York School of Design, New York, NY | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
Graduation Date: May 20XX
- Technical expertise in SketchUp, Autodesk (3ds Max, AutoCAD, Revit, Live), ArchiCAD, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Creative Suite
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), MS Project, and MS Visio
How to write an interior design resume that gets you hired
Even if you know the basics of writing a resume, these tips will help you craft a standout interior design resume tailored to the industry.
1. List your certifications and professional memberships
Certifications and professional memberships add credibility to your interior design resume and help you stand out from similarly experienced candidates.
Many firms will check your resume’s certification section for credentials from the Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). You can also list memberships with respected groups like ASID or IIDA here, or in a dedicated professional affiliations section.
Listing your certifications and memberships shows your commitment to the field and understanding of industry standards.
Example certifications section
Certifications
- NCIDQ Certification, Council for Interior Design Qualification — 20XX
- LEED Green Associate, U.S. Green Building Council — 20XX
- Member, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) — Since 20XX
2. Highlight your knowledge of building codes in your skills section
Interior designers must often work within strict legal and safety frameworks, especially when working on commercial or public spaces.
Demonstrating your familiarity with building codes, ADA compliance, and local zoning regulations shows hiring managers that you’re prepared to create designs that are not only beautiful but also safe, accessible, and legally compliant.
You can list the various codes and regulations you’re familiar with in your skills section:
Example skills section
Additional Skills
- ADA-compliant design
- IBC code knowledge
- Zoning and building regulations
- Fire safety compliance
- Barrier-free design
3. Demonstrate communication skills in a bullet point
In your work experience section, show employers that you can listen to client needs, present ideas clearly, and collaborate with architects, contractors, engineers, and fellow designers to bring projects to life.
Highlighting client-facing and team-based experience shows that you’re not only a communicator, but also a collaborator who can navigate diverse perspectives and drive projects forward. Prove you’re a great communicator with a bullet point like this:
Example bullet point
- Collaborated with architects and lighting consultants to complete a $3 mil. retail space redesign, contributing layout solutions that improved foot traffic by 47%
4. Show your understanding of new trends throughout your resume
Employers want to hire someone who’s up to date on emerging trends, sustainable materials, and innovative techniques.
Showing your awareness of these areas highlights your creativity and forward-thinking approach — both of which can set you apart from other applicants.
You can highlight your understanding of the latest approaches to interior design throughout your resume. Here’s an example of a skills section and a certifications section that both do this:
Example skills section
Additional Skills
- Sustainable materials sourcing
- Trend forecasting
- Biophilic design
- Color theory
- Eco-conscious interiors
Example certifications section
Certfications
- LEED Green Associate, U.S. Green Building Council — 20XX
- Certificate in Sustainable Interior Design, UCLA Extension — 20XX
How to succeed as an interior designer
Get an inside look at what it takes to succeed as an interior designer in this video by YouTuber and interior designer Andrea Tru:
Average interior designer salaries in the US
Interior designer salaries vary based on whether you’re self-employed or work for a firm. If you’re being offered a contract for a full-time role, use the data below to ensure you’re being paid fairly for your location.
The following table includes information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report for 2025. Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for interior designers, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.
Top 10 states by average interior designer salary
| State | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $90,960 |
| California | $85,650 |
| Massachusetts | $82,040 |
| Washington | $81,030 |
| Wisconsin | $78,580 |
| New York | $77,170 |
| Illinois | $76,400 |
| Vermont | $75,440 |
| New Jersey | $75,040 |
| Maryland | $74,410 |
| National Average | $71,430 |
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About the Author
14
Years of Experience
193
Articles Written
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths.
Nathan’s articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, including Forbes, MSN, NBC New York, Memphis Business Journal, Newsweek, and Fast Company, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. In addition to writing, he also works as a Mandarin–English translator.
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