VET Courses vs. Higher Education: Choosing the Right Path
Published 31 Aug 2020
Free vs Paid Interior Design Courses Explained
Candlefox 
Why Study Interior Design?
To become an interior designer, you’ll have to develop a variety of creative and practical skills, such as:
While you obviously have to learn quite a bit, interior decoration is an area that doesn’t necessarily require degrees or design school. Instead, many prospective interior designers go for short courses and online learning, as it’s easier and more flexible.
There are plenty of short courses at your disposal that will fill in the gaps for you, both free and paid. But which one’s the right for you? Below outlines the differences between the two for you to make a well thought out decision.
Before we go on, it should be noted that you can do multiple courses if you so desire. Even if you are thinking of doing a diploma of interior design, completing an additional short course will make you more favourable in the eyes of potential employers.
Free Interior Design Course
Free online courses are generally helpful when it comes to learning about the basics, like how to accessorise, choosing the right colours, learning about different tones and textures, etc. It often emphasises the more creative side of interior design, and how interior design came to be, by looking into the history of architectures and interior style.
If you’re interested in do-it-yourself interior design projects, then a free design course is more advantageous to you than a paid course, broadly speaking.
Some free courses may deal with a specialised area, such as how lighting can be used to improve interior spaces. However, this likely means the course will deal specifically with that area and nothing else.
While these courses are great if you’re just starting out and want to dip your toes in, keep in mind that you probably won’t get a job as an interior stylist from a free course alone.
Paid Interior Design Course
With paid courses, you have an instructor to give you advice and appropriate feedback to help you become a pro. Also, like many other paid courses, you’ll get a certificate at the end that you can add to your resume. The design industry is more likely to take on people who can prove their skills rather than those who have done a free course.
Also, paid courses are generally focused on a particular area of interior design. For example, suppose you want to learn about designing a home’s interior specifically. In that case, you’re more likely to find a paid course that covers this area in intricate detail, helping you develop both creative and practical skills relevant to interior styling and staging beautiful spaces.
In paid courses, your assignments will also be marked by professionals who can provide you with comprehensive feedback.
At tafecourses.com.au, we offer a number of paid interior design courses and training programs, both full-time and part-time. It’ll help you get an accredited qualification to prove your newly acquired skill set, including a Certificate IV in Interior Design.
Depending on why you’re looking to study interior design, you’ll find both free and paid courses hold their unique value. For no cost, you can learn the basics of interior design and discover styles you might never have considered for your own DIY projects.
Or, by making an investment in your future and undertaking a paid course, you’ll be offered in-depth, structured learning. You’ll complete it with an accredited qualification, meaning you’re work ready.
Not sure which course to choose? Let us recommend the best courses to suit you!
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get expert advice, insights, and explainers on tricky topics — designed to help you navigate your learning journey with confidence.
By submitting this enquiry I accept the "Privacy Policy" and "Terms of Use"
