Online Certificate in Residential Interior Design KLC School of Design

Interior Design

Online Certificate in Residential Interior Design

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College Award
Applications open
Course duration: Self-paced study
School: KLC School of Design
Location: Online

Learn interior design with our online Certificate course and gain a professional, industry-recognised qualification while studying at your own pace.

Structured into four comprehensive sections and delivered through a combination of video demonstrations, narrated presentations with subtitles and self-assessed quizzes, this self-study course will support you with the knowledge and skills to create design propositions for existing residential spaces. From the principles of spatial planning and surface design to object curation, styling, and professional practice, you'll learn how to turn your creative passion for interior design into a career.

With 24/7 access to the course materials through our online learning platform, this course is designed to fit around busy work and home schedules. On average, students who commit 12 hours a week to study can complete the course in 12 months. Students have 12 months of online access to all of the course content.

Course structure

This course is designed to support students in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to create design propositions for existing residential spaces. 

Throughout the course, you will not only develop your ability to undertake creative design proposals and learn drawing techniques, but also gain a comprehensive understanding of business development, project costing, and sourcing skills. This broad curriculum, coupled with an understanding of colour, lighting and textiles, will prepare you for a successful entry into the industry.  

End-of-section projects will progressively build skills and knowledge for a final large-scale project that combines everything learned. These projects will also provide you with a portfolio of work to present to future employers.

Course units

Section 1 

  • Visual Inspiration and Sketching 
    • Visual inspiration and influential designers 
    • Sketching 
  • Surveying and Technical Drawing 
    • Plans and elevations 
    • Taking a survey 
    • Scale 
    • Drawing a plan 
    • Drawing an elevation 
    • Drawing irregular room 
    • Surveying and drawing bay windows 
    • Technical drawing conventions 
  • AutoCAD
    • AutoCAD
    • Shortcuts 
    • Exercises 
  • Colour 
    • Colour Explained 
    • The Power of Colour 
    • Colour in Interior Design 
    • Writing Colour Rationales 

Section 2 

  • The Design Process 
    • The Design Process and your Project Journal 
    • Concepts and sample boards 
  • Textiles and Textile Use 
    • Textiles 
    • Trimmings 
    • Blinds 
    • Curtains 
    • Upholstery 
    • Textiles research 
  • Sourcing 
    • Sourcing directory 
    • Window treatments 
    • Window treatment specification 
    • Textiles rationales 
    • Estimating quantities 
  • Sections and rendering 
    • Drawing sections 
    • Rendering 
  • Materials and surfaces 
    • Paint 
    • Flooring 
    • Wall treatments 
    • Hard materials 
    • Sustainability and the environment 
    • Accessories  

Section 3 

  • Lighting 
    • Introduction to lighting 
    • Lighting principles 
    • Lighting room-by-room 
    • Lighting design 
    • Lighting symbols 
  • Planning and perspective drawing 
    • Design principles 
    • Space planning 
    • Perspective drawing 
  • Construction and mechanical systems 
    • Building construction 
    • Heating, ventilation and acoustics 
  • Bathrooms and kitchens 
    • Bathroom planning  
    • Bathroom design  
    • Inspirational bathrooms  
    • Kitchen planning  
    • Kitchen design  
    • Kitchen trends  
    • A brief history of the kitchen  
    • Kitchen suppliers  
    • Kitchen materials and inspiration 
  • 3D Modelling 
    • SketchUp 
  • Scheme, cost and specification sheets 
    • Scheme sheets 
    • Cost sheets 
    • Decorative specifications 
  • Evolution of style 
    • The evolution of style lecture series  
      • Revolutions in power and taste 
      • History and imagination 
      • Influences from the East 
      • Modern living 
    • Design evolution and trends 1 – Overview & 17th Century 
    • Design evolution and trends 2 – 18th Century 
    • Design evolution and trends 3 - The French Styles 
    • Design evolution and trends 4 - 19th Century 
    • Design evolution and trends 5 – 20th Century 
    • Design evolution and trends 6 – Modernism and beyond 
    • History of window and bedroom treatments 

Section 4 

  • Professional practice 
    • Fees and charging 
    • Calculating fees 
    • Invoicing 
    • Professional practice, insurance and contracts 
    • Furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) 
    • Construction design management (CDM) 
  • Presenting your ideas to clients 
    • Client presentations 
    • Furniture books 
  • Beginning your career 
    • Interior design careers 
    • Creating a portfolio 
    • Example portfolios 

Study hours

This course is designed to allow you to study at your own pace; working around your other commitments. On average, students who commit 12 hours a week to study can complete the course in 12 months.

Entry Requirements

No previous experience in interior design is required for this course.
Students should have basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, and web/internet skills) and be confident using a computer.

English Language
A good command of written and spoken English is required.

It is recommended that students have a reliable, high-speed internet connection. A broadband connection is necessary to access the videos and online training sessions effectively in this course.

Student gallery

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    The KLC Online Certificate Course is an excellent study option for aspiring career changers who have work or family commitments. The appeal of this course is its’ flexibility which enables you to gain a professional qualification, which is highly regarded within the Interior Design Industry, by studying from home at a pace that suits you.

    The KLC Online Certificate Course is an excellent study option for aspiring career changers who have work or family commitments. The appeal of this course is its’ flexibility which enables you to gain a professional qualification, which is highly regarded within the Interior Design Industry, by studying from home at a pace that suits you.

    The KLC Online Certificate Course is an excellent study option for aspiring career changers who have work or family commitments. The appeal of this course is its’ flexibility which enables you to gain a professional qualification, which is highly regarded within the Interior Design Industry, by studying from home at a pace that suits you.

    West Dean London Campus

    London campus
    KLC Schoo of Design Student Studios

    Facilities

    Alumni
    Funding your studies

    Funding

    Course tutors

    Ally Wates DipAD

    Ally Wates originally trained as a theatre designer, moving into decorating and then attending KLC as a Diploma student. Ally is our Certificate Course Leader at KLC School of Design.

    Daniela Cava BA(Hons) PGCertHE FHEA

    Daniela La Cava, BA(Hons) PGCertHE FHEA is our course tutor who is an experienced Interior Designer, holding a First Class BA Honours in Interior Design.

    KLC School of Design at West Dean

    KLC School of Design

    Our KLC School of Design offers industry-leading interior design degrees and garden design courses with unrivalled teaching, flexible learning and ongoing career support

    KLC School of Design

    Fees & funding

    Course fees are the same for UK and international students

    • £1,000 (12 months course access)

    This course offers flexible payment options, allowing you to pay in full or in instalments. For more details see How to Apply.

    How to apply

    Enrolment to this course is by one of the following payment options:

    Pay via instalments
    Enrolment fee of £200, followed by ten monthly payments of £80. To pay via instalments, please call 01243 818 310 or email [email protected]. 

    Pay in full 
    Please use the payment link below to pay in full for this course and gain immediate access. 

    On average, students who commit 12 hours a week to study can complete the course in 12 months. If you are unable to complete the course within this time, please contact [email protected], who will be able to advise on course extension options.

    Make A Payment

    Related courses

    Our part time Certificate in Residential Interior Design has been producing quality employable graduates to the interior design industry for over 15 years. This part time, one-year course is the perfect option for those with busy life commitments who want to become a professional residential interior designers in an intensive, but manageable way. 

    Certificate in Residential Interior Design - Part Time

    News

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