5 answers
Janet
Student
Garden City, Kansas
5
Questions
Asked
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What do you enjoy most about interior design?
I wanted to know what different things people enjoy while working as an interior desgin
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5 answers
Natalie Goodman, NCIDQ NEWH
Commercial and Hospitality Interior Design
7
Answers
Boulder, Colorado
Updated
Natalie’s Answer
Hi Janet,
I am a professional interior designer. The greatest joy I get from practicing interior design is how my client feels after the project is completed. I work mainly in multi-family, hospitality, and commercial. It's that moment when someone walks into a space and they are moved. This mostly happens with multi-family, especially affordable housing. You can really change lives by thoughtful design.
I also enjoy trouble shooting and problem solving, that is really what design is all about. You have a challenge and you need to solve it. You have a toolbelt (all of the skills that you have learned) and your natural ability to visualize spaces. Alot of these skills develop over time.
I love working with all the finishes and fixtures to create spaces. I enjoy drawing and space planning. Alot of students do not draw, it is a lost art, one that I would encourage greatly. Also, research is a key to part of design. Most interior designers specialize in a specific industry, i.e. Healthcare, Hospitality, Residential, etc., which makes them experts in those fields.
This is just a small glimpse into interior design and I hope it helps.
Regards,
Natalie Goodman
I am a professional interior designer. The greatest joy I get from practicing interior design is how my client feels after the project is completed. I work mainly in multi-family, hospitality, and commercial. It's that moment when someone walks into a space and they are moved. This mostly happens with multi-family, especially affordable housing. You can really change lives by thoughtful design.
I also enjoy trouble shooting and problem solving, that is really what design is all about. You have a challenge and you need to solve it. You have a toolbelt (all of the skills that you have learned) and your natural ability to visualize spaces. Alot of these skills develop over time.
I love working with all the finishes and fixtures to create spaces. I enjoy drawing and space planning. Alot of students do not draw, it is a lost art, one that I would encourage greatly. Also, research is a key to part of design. Most interior designers specialize in a specific industry, i.e. Healthcare, Hospitality, Residential, etc., which makes them experts in those fields.
This is just a small glimpse into interior design and I hope it helps.
Regards,
Natalie Goodman
Thank you so much+
Janet
Katherine Bloodworth
Interior Design
1
Answer
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Hi Janet,
Different things excite different people. Almost every designer I know, including myself, will eventually gravitate toward one thing or another that really resonates and excites! For me it is working with textiles and trims. I love fabrics of every variety, especially hand-woven or specialty embroidered goods. Finding ways to use them in a room is always very gratifying. Finding a unique vintage piece that you can incorporate into a setting is always great.
Installation day is also incredibly exciting. The projects I worked on were quite large, sometimes 10,000 to 15,000 square feet and many were ground up construction projects. The duration of these projects was often 2 or 3 years, sometimes longer. After months of picking finishes, laying out rooms, selecting fabrics, furniture, lighting, etc., installation day is the culmination of all of this hard work, where you finally get to see you and your client's vision realized. The moment of the "big reveal" is so much fun. To see your client's faces when they walk into their finished home for the first time, is priceless!
If you choose to work in design, there are many avenues you can take. You will learn what resonates with YOU and the rest will unfold in a very natural way!
Different things excite different people. Almost every designer I know, including myself, will eventually gravitate toward one thing or another that really resonates and excites! For me it is working with textiles and trims. I love fabrics of every variety, especially hand-woven or specialty embroidered goods. Finding ways to use them in a room is always very gratifying. Finding a unique vintage piece that you can incorporate into a setting is always great.
Installation day is also incredibly exciting. The projects I worked on were quite large, sometimes 10,000 to 15,000 square feet and many were ground up construction projects. The duration of these projects was often 2 or 3 years, sometimes longer. After months of picking finishes, laying out rooms, selecting fabrics, furniture, lighting, etc., installation day is the culmination of all of this hard work, where you finally get to see you and your client's vision realized. The moment of the "big reveal" is so much fun. To see your client's faces when they walk into their finished home for the first time, is priceless!
If you choose to work in design, there are many avenues you can take. You will learn what resonates with YOU and the rest will unfold in a very natural way!
Mauricio Chaves
Interior Designer
37
Answers
Doorn, Netherlands
Updated
Mauricio’s Answer
Hi Janet,
What I enjoy most about interior design is the process of truly understanding my clients—their needs, ambitions, and the essence of who they are—so that their space reflects their identity, not mine. Every project is like solving a unique puzzle, where my role is not to impose my personal style but to translate their vision into reality.
A well-designed space is more than just an arrangement of furniture and décor; it tells a story. My goal is always to create environments where my clients feel a deep sense of belonging, where every detail speaks to their personality, experiences, and aspirations. That’s why I spend a lot of time listening, observing, and even reading between the lines. Sometimes, people know they want a change but can’t quite put it into words—that’s where my work truly begins.
I also believe that every space benefits from a strong visual anchor, something that catches the eye and makes a statement. It could be a bold colour, an antique piece with a rich history, a striking artwork, or even an unexpected texture that adds depth and character. These elements not only elevate the design but also create conversation starters and emotional connections within the space.
Interior design, at its core, is about storytelling. It’s about creating spaces that embrace the people who live in them and allow them to express who they are.
May the force be with you!
What I enjoy most about interior design is the process of truly understanding my clients—their needs, ambitions, and the essence of who they are—so that their space reflects their identity, not mine. Every project is like solving a unique puzzle, where my role is not to impose my personal style but to translate their vision into reality.
A well-designed space is more than just an arrangement of furniture and décor; it tells a story. My goal is always to create environments where my clients feel a deep sense of belonging, where every detail speaks to their personality, experiences, and aspirations. That’s why I spend a lot of time listening, observing, and even reading between the lines. Sometimes, people know they want a change but can’t quite put it into words—that’s where my work truly begins.
I also believe that every space benefits from a strong visual anchor, something that catches the eye and makes a statement. It could be a bold colour, an antique piece with a rich history, a striking artwork, or even an unexpected texture that adds depth and character. These elements not only elevate the design but also create conversation starters and emotional connections within the space.
Interior design, at its core, is about storytelling. It’s about creating spaces that embrace the people who live in them and allow them to express who they are.
May the force be with you!
Allen Foster
Interior Designer
3
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Allen’s Answer
I’ve been an interior designer for decades now. When I went to college, I was going to be an Advertising Design major - I was fascinated by tv commercials, how complex they were and “told a story.” But I noticed no one else liked them, they were an intrusion. And print ads were something people ignored and turned past (back in the day of print magazines). But Interiors are where people live their lives. I decided I wanted to work on commercial interiors, because employees don’t have a voice in how the place the work, like, works. When I would be meeting with Vice Presidents of Facilites and such, I would listen between-the-lines to hear what it was their staff really needed to do their work and enjoy where they were doing it.
After about 20 years doing this, someone asked me to help with their house, and it was so *important* to her, which I never felt doing commercial interiors. And she had a friend who was renovating a house, and could I help? So I quit my corporate job and opened my own firm. In addition to interiors, I started consulting on house colors (this was in San Francisco, where colorful houses are much loved) and consulting with churches who were rethinking how they did worship. I really enjoyed the design work, not so much running the business (math is kind of a mystery to me).
What I find really satisfying about all kinds of design is it comes down to solving a problem, and doing it well. How do you make all these things (layout, furniture design, where are the outlets, what’s the lighting, what does the space look like when you enter, what’s the mood) work together? Most people can’t think about more than three things working together, as a designer you have to go way past that. It’s also a puzzle, what would *the client* want, as opposed to what would I do if it were my space? You listen for clues while talking to them, it’s really fun.
I should also not that you only spend 20-25% of your time actually designing. There’s all that other work that makes it happen.
If you’re looking at college programs, make sure they include some business in with all the artsy stuff. My school put way too much emphasis on watercolor rendering, which was fun, but something I never encountered in the real world.
After about 20 years doing this, someone asked me to help with their house, and it was so *important* to her, which I never felt doing commercial interiors. And she had a friend who was renovating a house, and could I help? So I quit my corporate job and opened my own firm. In addition to interiors, I started consulting on house colors (this was in San Francisco, where colorful houses are much loved) and consulting with churches who were rethinking how they did worship. I really enjoyed the design work, not so much running the business (math is kind of a mystery to me).
What I find really satisfying about all kinds of design is it comes down to solving a problem, and doing it well. How do you make all these things (layout, furniture design, where are the outlets, what’s the lighting, what does the space look like when you enter, what’s the mood) work together? Most people can’t think about more than three things working together, as a designer you have to go way past that. It’s also a puzzle, what would *the client* want, as opposed to what would I do if it were my space? You listen for clues while talking to them, it’s really fun.
I should also not that you only spend 20-25% of your time actually designing. There’s all that other work that makes it happen.
If you’re looking at college programs, make sure they include some business in with all the artsy stuff. My school put way too much emphasis on watercolor rendering, which was fun, but something I never encountered in the real world.
Thank you, Allen!
Janet
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1259
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Janet! 👋
Well, I aint a designer, but my sister has been for the couple past decade. Seeing and hearing them is another thing so here is what she told me, and yea humor part is mine I gotta keep it fun rising right!
It’s like a mix of creative freedom and solving little puzzles all day long—without the pressure of figuring out a Rubik's Cube, of course!
One thing that seems to get a lot of designers excited is the sheer *transformation*. You know, taking a room that feels like it belongs in a “before” shot and turning it into something that feels fresh, stylish, and totally you. It's like magic, but with paint, furniture, and fabric. 🎨✨
Another part is getting to play with textures, colors, and layouts. Honestly, it’s like being a kid in a candy store, but the candy is all about making spaces look fab. Plus, seeing clients light up when they walk into a room you designed? Total win.
Then, of course, there’s the challenge of *balancing function and style*. You want it to look amazing, but it has to actually work for people’s lives—no one wants a beautiful couch that’s too stiff to sit on! And don’t get me started on picking the *right* light fixtures—it's like a mini treasure hunt for that perfect piece that ties everything together. 🛋️💡
It’s definitely a rewarding, creative career. But hey, if you ever get overwhelmed by picking just the right throw pillow, remember—every great designer had their "what was I thinking?" moment at least once. 😉
Good luck, and may the perfect color palette always be at your fingertips!
Well, I aint a designer, but my sister has been for the couple past decade. Seeing and hearing them is another thing so here is what she told me, and yea humor part is mine I gotta keep it fun rising right!
It’s like a mix of creative freedom and solving little puzzles all day long—without the pressure of figuring out a Rubik's Cube, of course!
One thing that seems to get a lot of designers excited is the sheer *transformation*. You know, taking a room that feels like it belongs in a “before” shot and turning it into something that feels fresh, stylish, and totally you. It's like magic, but with paint, furniture, and fabric. 🎨✨
Another part is getting to play with textures, colors, and layouts. Honestly, it’s like being a kid in a candy store, but the candy is all about making spaces look fab. Plus, seeing clients light up when they walk into a room you designed? Total win.
Then, of course, there’s the challenge of *balancing function and style*. You want it to look amazing, but it has to actually work for people’s lives—no one wants a beautiful couch that’s too stiff to sit on! And don’t get me started on picking the *right* light fixtures—it's like a mini treasure hunt for that perfect piece that ties everything together. 🛋️💡
It’s definitely a rewarding, creative career. But hey, if you ever get overwhelmed by picking just the right throw pillow, remember—every great designer had their "what was I thinking?" moment at least once. 😉
Good luck, and may the perfect color palette always be at your fingertips!