Interior design is a line of work that is well suited to people who would like to work out of a home office or studio; the skills of an interior designer do not require an office. The flexibility of having different clients and making house calls to plan and facilitate interior design changes means that it's convenient to not have an office as a headquarters. However, interior design is a highly competitive field and requires both skills as a designer and business acumen. Read on for a brief overview of how to hone your skills as a freelance interior designer.

Step 1: Enroll in a Program

There are a variety of full time interior design programs available through many vocational and other types of schools. If you are inexperienced in the field of interior design but are interested in making a name for yourself in the field, this is a great way to learn about the basics of the career of interior design. It can also provide you with valuable experience meeting and working with potential clients and companies; the contacts that you'll gain at an interior design school are invaluable.

Step 2: Try an Individual Workshop

If you're already established as an interior designer, but you're looking for a way to hone your abilities and increase your business, try taking a single class or workshop. Many of the programs mentioned previously will offer development programs and classes for those who don't have the time, money or interest in enrolling in a full program.

Step 3: Expand Your Customer Base

One of the best ways to get experience as an interior designer is to expand your customer base and marketing strategy to include homes and areas that you wouldn't normally work on. The more experience that you have with different types of homes and design strategies, the more broadly applicable your work will be to customers at large. This often translates to greater marketability and more income for you and your business.

Step 4: Observe

Interior design is a combination of artistry, creativity and practicality. One of the best ways to get new ideas and hone your abilities is to watch other interior designers at work. Contact other people in your area who are involved in interior design and meet with them. Learn about their philosophies and approaches as they work at interior design, and consider ways in which you might adopt some of their strategies to help benefit your own work.

Step 5: Practice

Ultimately, the single best way to enhance your abilities as an interior designer is to practice. More experience is always the key to becoming better at a skill of this kind. If you have a difficult time finding customers, try offering free consultations as a way of getting the word out about your services and to learn more about the practice of designing.