The best online interior design courses to do from home

Searching for the intel on the best online interior design courses that you can do from home? Whether you're considering a change of career or you're looking for something to replace your obsessive Netflix bingeing, there are some impressive courses on offer out there. How to find them? We've listed the top ones in the country, below. 

These courses can help you whether you're starting from scratch or brushing up your skills. They can even help turn a hobby into a career, in some cases. Below, you'll find courses on offer from everywhere and everyone, including Sophie Robinson, Kelly Wearstler and even The British College of Interior Design. Start your research off with help from us.

Once you've made your choice, you can head to read our modern interior design guide for the basics.

The best online interior design courses you can take right now

Luxury brand Juliettes Interiors has launched its first online course. You’ll be asked to focus on a specific room, and sessions are live with a maximum of ten people per group, so you can expect plenty of personal attention plus the opportunity to engage with fellow students.

‘As well as working with colours, fabrics and furniture, you will learn to create accurate floor plans and elevations, plus planning, costing and installation of your finished designs,’ explains Juliette Thomas, founder and director of Juliettes Interiors. Courses cost £994 (RRP) and are held over five weeks, comprising two two-hour evening classes per week. The next begins in January so sign up now and you’ll be sent all materials (worth £120 in total)  – including a drawing board - in advance.

Taught by one of the best-known names in interior design, Rita Konig’s Ultimate Guide to Interior Design course is broken down into 36 bite-sized lessons lasting 5 hours – 15 minutes each. Rita guides you through every step of the design process, walking you through real projects room-by-room and showing you how to create an elegant and relaxed home whatever your budget. 

Since it's pre-recorded, you can learn at your own pace, plus you'll get access to downloadable workbooks. The course costs £127 and you can choose your start date.

Shaw Academy's Online Interior Design Course is a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn core interior design principles and build their skills. In total, this course takes 16 weeks with 32 lessons to attend in total – plus assessments. This course kicks off to teach you the basics of interior design terminology, then it jumps into teaching you the basics when it comes to floor planning and space planning. Next, it's all about sections and elevations, with an introduction to the computer programs you'll need to be successful. Next, you'll learn about the principles of interior design, then it's straight into perspective drawings. The last few lessons will help you develop your own interior style, they'll help you to learn all about colour and then it's a wrap. Unless you want to go on to do module 2, that is.

'This professional interior designing course will help you gain practical knowledge on how to create and manage your own design projects right through to running your own interior design business' claims the website. The best part? This course is free for the first 4 weeks, so you can start it now and see what you think. Oh, and this course is globally recognised. 

Inchbald opened in 1960 and has been delivering online interior design courses since 2007 to complement its on-campus curriculum. The Design Your Own Living Space 13-week programme is a great introduction as you’ll work on designing one room of your choice, learning about everything from ergonomics and proportions to the use of colour and texture. Students are expected to take part in discussion forums with fellow students and complete weekly tasks and are assigned a tutor to provide guidance and feedback. If you want to extend your studies further, consider a three-year online diploma.

'The course provides an insight into the work of an interior designer and develops the knowledge and skills needed to successfully design a residential space' claims the website. Expect to spend about 4 hours of study time per week on this introductory course, which costs £1,260. There will be a maximum of eight others learning along with you, and you'll need to have A-Levels – or equivalent – and a good understanding of both written and spoken English. Basic computer skills are also required. 

Discover how to knock out a successful scheme by enrolling for the Be Your Own Interior Designer course from Sophie Robinson, a judge on BBC’s The Great Interior Design Challenge and known for her love of colour. Delivered in an extremely approachable way, the self-paced course includes 11 videos, 12 downloads and six slide presentations.

'I passionately believe that everyone has the power to design a home they love and can be proud of, and in this course, I’ll show you how' says Sophie. It comes with lifetime access and you have the option to join a private Facebook group where you can share your ideas with other interior design fans. Pay in 3 monthly instalments of £99 each, or £295 upfront.

The British College of Interior Design’s professional course aims to arm you with all the skills required to make a living as an interior designer. So, as well as instructing you on how to bring spaces to life, you’ll learn about marketing, developing contacts and other essential business skills. A total of 12 in-depth tutorials are delivered over 12 or 24 weeks and you have eight assignments, to be completed within a year. 

'You will be working directly with an industry professional, currently working in the interior design industry with a proven record of success. They will teach you all you need to know to start building your interior design career' the website reads. On graduation, you’ll be awarded a Diploma of Professional Interior Design. This course costs £460 when paying in instalments, and there’s a £15 discount for upfront payment.

Take this Kelly Wearstler class and you'll be taught everything you need to know about the world of interior design by a leading, award-winning designer. Her eclectic and experiential style shines through within this course. You'll learn how to do everything from making a space feel larger to choosing colours and textures, plus how to curate collections of art inside your home. In short: she takes you behind the scenes of her knowings. If you're a fan, then why not?

The class is delivered in 17 video lessons, lasting in total for 2 hours and 13 minutes. You can watch and learn at your own pace, plus in the website's words, you'll finish knowing how to 'create spaces that tell a story'. Prices start from £14/month as this class works on a membership basis. 

What to consider when searching for online interior design courses?

How much does an interior design course cost?

From £127 though you can find free taster classes on Skillshare and Oxford Home study is offering a free 10-hour Room Interior Design course.

How long does an interior design course take?

From a few hours a week to a year – or more. This is all dependent on the price that you pay, and the depth level of the course.

What is the best interior design course?

It depends on what you’re hoping to gain from it. Sophie Robinson’s is great fun if you’re after inspiration for your own home – and she also runs ones on colour psychology and creating bold, brave and beautiful interiors. If you’re planning to go pro, Inchbald has an excellent reputation.

How do I get started as an interior designer?

You need to be creative, willing to learn and patient as clients can be very demanding. And try to get work experience - it’s not all glamour and a lot of admin is involved.

Can I become an interior designer without a degree?

You don’t need a degree but some formal training is advisable.