Student Experience

What to Expect

Learn to develop the skills to become a professional Interior Decorator

The Interior Decorating program helps you become a professional in the exciting areas of residential and commercial decorating by developing your creativity and artistic flair.

You will learn through a variety of hands-on assignments and series of lectures, guest speakers, filed trips, competitions, work placement and real life community projects.

This DDA recognised two year Ontario College Diploma program is designed to provide students with a wide range of interior decorating skills, as well as essential business, project management, and client relations training required to succeed as a residential and commercial Interior Decorator.

Emphasis is placed on ensuring a strong hands-on learning approach in all core courses, allowing students to gain a better understanding and mastery of each topic, as well as help them bridge their classroom experience with future real-life projects.

This program also supports a balanced development of traditional hand skills (such as manual drafting and sketching) and digital techniques, to provide our graduates with a range of skills and career opportunities.

Student Success & Testimonials

Second Year student, Erin Conway gives her thoughts about the program.

Thoughts and comments from International students about the Interior Decorating program.

Having graduated from a Master in Education and worked a couple of years, I made a big decision to change my career and took this two-year program. I am glad I took this program as I have grown so much more both professional and personally ever since I started the program. Teachers with industry experience and carefully designed courses have equipped me with professional knowledge and skills to pursue the career that I really wanted. Now I get to work at a commercial design studio doing what I love everyday.
– Zhuo

My decorating journey began when I accepted my offer for Interior Decorating at Algonquin College. I had always been passionate about interior spaces and drawing and the Interior Decorating at Algonquin combined these two passions and helped me create the foundation for a career in Interior Decorating. Throughout my two years in the program I learned a great deal about residential and commercial design, focusing on flooring, window treatments, lighting, kitchen and bath design and much more. The teachers are professionals in the field and bring real life skills and stories to the classrooms that provides extra learning opportunities. I would recommend this program to anyone who has a flare for design, the desire to be a creative individual and loves to decorate and draw.
– Ilana

Mijn droom om een Interieur ontwerpster te worden begon toen ik mijn aanbod voor Interieur Decoreren bij Algonquin College had geaccepteerd. Ik had van jongs af aan al een passie voor binnenruimtes tekenen en decoreren. De ‘Interior Decorating’ cursus op Algonquin College combineerde deze twee passies en helpte mij met de basis voor een carrière in Interieur Decoreren. Gedurende mijn twee jaar in het programma heb ik veel geleerd over het residentiële en commerciële ontwerp, gericht op vloeren, raamdecoratie, verlichting, keuken en badkamer ontwerp en nog veel meer. De docenten zijn professionals in het beroep en brengt daardoor echte leven vaardigheden en verhalen aan de lokalen die extra leermogelijkheden biedt. Ik zou dit programma aan iedereen aanraden die een flare heeft voor decoreren en de wens om een creatief individu te zijn en goed is in tekenen.
– Ilana

Overall, this program is diverse, practical, and incredibly creative. The profs are enthusiastic and use their connections in the industry for the benefit of the students. I am so thankful that this program exists because it is the perfect combination of all of my interests! I really appreciate that that I am getting a specific, meaningful education.
– Grace

Interior Decorating students share their experiences in the program.

Enrolling in the Interior Decorating program at Algonquin College was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Within weeks of graduating, I started my career as a Showroom Decorator with a well known furniture company. The confidence and knowledge that my wonderful and caring professors instilled in me, was not only the key to getting in to the industry, but the key to beginning a successful career. Not a day goes by without me using the knowledge that I gained from the program. It has given me an edge that will continue to keep me on the path to success. Thank you so much to all my professors, you all are the reason I am here.”
– Greg

Algonquin College changed my life! My courses gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion and launch a second career as an Interior Decorator. As a mature student, I wasn’t sure what it would be like to return to school after so many years outside of academia. My experience, however, was both challenging and positive. The program was comprehensive and gave me a good introduction to my field, particularly as it included a work placement in a local furniture showroom. The best part of my two years, however, was working with fantastic instructors. They brought their current experience in the industry into the classroom to make our courses fresh and relevant. Classes were small and interaction with the staff was very personal and supportive. The instructors really cared about us and did everything in their power to ensure our success. I was recruited for a local design firm from my Grad Show and am now happily pursuing my dreams.
– Margaret

Second Year student, Erin gives her thoughts about the program.

My experience in the Interior Decorating Program was very practical and hands on. We had several opportunities to create design proposals for real life clients, which was a great way to get a feel for what it would be like working in the industry. Within my first semester I even acquired a part time job within the field with the help of my teachers. I would strongly recommend the program to those looking for a creative career.
– Laura

Switching to this program is definitely something I am glad I did, as the professors in this program provide a great support system during and after your studies, which I think was essential for me during my last semester as it helped me in knowing what I wanted to do next. During the final semester project, I was lucky to further extend my creativity and broaden my experience by being challenged to create a newly renovated space. That project has definitely been a great addition to my portfolio and to getting me employed; this would not have been possible if it weren’t for the professors and the resources that the College provides.
– Heba

“Taking the Interior Decorating program students are getting an actual experience from the industry experts. But it is not just about selecting furniture and materials. You are also being taught how to think out of the box and communicate with people. In helps me to understand client’s needs better and find the right approach for the project”.
– Olga

“На программе Interior Decorating студенты получают реальный опыт людей, которые работают в индустрии дизайна и декора помещений. На этой программе вас научат не только подбирать мeбeль и сочетать материалы, но так же общению с клиентами. В моей работе эти качества помогают найти правильный подход к клиенту и подобрать для них то, что им действительно нужно».
– Olga

We were delight to be able to engage with the students and faculty of the program as they researched and developed concept boards for our Condominium project. From the site inspection, to the budget process and final presentation of their proposals, the students showed great potential and creativity. They provided us with valuable insights into the world of design and helped us realize our vision for the project.
– Jason

The Claridge Homes Design Centre had the privilege of having an Interior Design student join us for 7 weeks last winter! She was very professional, and very outgoing. She worked very well with clients and was always eager to learn. The designers at Clairdge were very surprised that she was so knowledgeable only after 3 semesters of school! The Interior Decorating program at Algonquin College really prepares their students for the field. The Co-op program is great because it allows the students to gain work experience before they have finished school.
We would highly recommend the Interior Decorating program at Algonquin College to those interested in pursuing a career in the field.
We love having the Co-op students here with us each year! We currently have one with us right now, and she is wonderful!
– The Claridge Homes Design Centre Staff

Algonquin College has produced some great graduates from the Interior Decorating program. We have hired many of the graduates over the years and are so pleased we have. We find that their graduates from that program come with a great foundation of industry knowledge to build on. I have personally recommended the Interior Decorating program to many people who have come to me for advice on how to get into the interior decorating industry and will continue to do so. I am always thrilled to talk to anyone about our industry and about the success of Algonquin College.
– Jerome F. Pulcine, Owner, Ontario Regional Decorating Den Interiors

Student Work

View some of the projects being done by our Interior Decorating students.