Interior design is no longer just about decorating rooms. It is about planning spaces that improve how people live, work, and experience their surroundings.
After 12th grade, many students seek careers that combine creativity with strong earning potential. Interior design offers both.
The industry continues to grow across residential and commercial sectors, creating steady demand for skilled designers. Strong portfolios and practical skills open doors to better roles and higher pay.
This listicle roundup has the 10 best interior design courses after 12th, along with their fees and duration, so you can compare options clearly and choose the right course for your career goals.
Here are the beginner-friendly interior design courses available after class 12th
1. ASDAV – Commercial Interior Design Course
- Course Duration: 12 Weeks
- Course Fees: ₹32,999 (Offer Price)
ASDAV’s commercial interior design training is a suitable and beginner–friendly interior design course after 12th standard.
It is a practical design school founded by experienced architects with international project experience and advanced academic training from institutions such as CEPT and IIT. The brand positions itself as a skill-first interior design institute that delivers live, instructor-led training aligned with real industry workflows.
ASDAV offers structured certification programs that combine commercial design theory, execution logic, and software proficiency. This Commercial Interior Design Course trains students in space planning, branding integration, material selection, lighting strategy, and professional documentation for offices, retail spaces, and hospitality environments.
Students work on real case studies, guided projects, and portfolio development to build strong career foundations in interior design. ASDAV also offers a residential interior design certification for learners who want to specialize in home interiors.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Commercial Space Planning: Learn how to design offices, retail stores, and hospitality spaces by understanding circulation flow, zoning, and user behavior inside commercial environments.
- Brand Integration in Interiors: Understand how to translate a brand’s identity into spatial elements such as layout, materials, color schemes, and visual hierarchy.
- Functional Layout Development: Create efficient floor plans that balance aesthetics with productivity, comfort, and operational needs.
- Material & Finish Selection: Study commercial-grade materials that ensure durability, cost efficiency, and long-term maintenance value.
- Lighting Strategy: Plan lighting layouts that improve visibility, mood, and energy efficiency in workspaces and retail setups.
- AutoCAD Drafting: Develop professional 2D layout plans, elevations, and technical drawings used in real commercial projects.
- 3D Visualization with SketchUp: Build realistic commercial interior models to present design concepts clearly to clients.
- Client Presentation & Documentation: Prepare mood boards, cost estimates, and design proposals using structured presentation methods.
- Real Case Studies & Capstone Projects: Work on guided commercial briefs to build a strong, job-ready portfolio.
2. NIF Global – UG Interior Design Course
Course Duration: 4 Years (Undergraduate Program)
Course Fees: Varies by campus and program structure
NIF Global offers a four-year undergraduate Interior Design program for students who have completed 12th grade and seek a structured design education. The institute operates from Manhattan, New York, and builds its brand around global exposure, celebrity mentorship, and industry collaborations. NIF Global positions itself as an international design school that blends creative training with business awareness and professional readiness.
The program integrates studio practice, sustainability, project management, and internships into a structured academic pathway. Students showcase their work on platforms such as Lakmé Fashion Week and gain access to international learning opportunities. The curriculum prepares learners for careers in residential, commercial, hospitality, and luxury interior design.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Foundation Design Studios: Build strong spatial planning and design fundamentals in the first year.
- Residential & Workspace Projects: Design homes, apartments, offices, and retail spaces through guided studio practice.
- Hospitality & Luxury Interiors: Create hotel, experiential, and premium interior concepts.
- Materials & Construction Detailing: Study advanced materials, finishes, and build systems.
- Interior Services Planning: Integrate electrical, plumbing, and climate systems into layouts.
- Landscape & Spatial Integration: Connect interior and exterior design thinking.
- Professional Practice & Costing: Learn estimation, documentation, and project management basics.
- Internship & Industry Exposure: Gain hands-on experience through internships and fashion week collaborations.
3. International Career Institute (ICI) – Interior Design & Decoration Diploma
Course Duration: Typically 24 Weeks (Flexible, up to 3 Years)
Course Fees: $1,088 (One-off Payment), $39 per week (Interest-Free Plan)
International Career Institute offers an online Interior Design and Decoration Diploma for students seeking flexible learning after 12th. ICI positions itself as a global distance learning provider that designs courses in consultation with industry experts. The institute operates internationally and allows students to study at their own pace, with no fixed deadlines.
ICI offers fully remote training supported by personal tutor guidance and career services. The course is accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges and recognized by IIDA. Students gain practical decorating, colour planning, and business skills to work independently or join design firms worldwide.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Interior Design Foundations: Learn design history, interior decoration principles, and space planning basics.
- Elements & Principles of Design: Study line, form, texture, colour, balance, contrast, harmony, and proportion.
- Colour Planning & Psychology: Develop decorative schemes using colour theory and lighting awareness.
- Lighting & Visual Effects: Understand how artificial and natural light impact interior spaces.
- Materials & Finishes: Explore wood, metals, glass, fabrics, wall treatments, flooring, and surface finishes.
- Furnishings & Styling: Select furniture, window treatments, décor accessories, and interior plants.
- Building Systems Basics: Gain awareness of structural, mechanical, and electrical components.
- Portfolio & Job Skills: Prepare resumes, portfolios, client proposals, and salary discussions.
- Start Your Own Business: Learn pricing strategy, client acquisition, and supplier coordination.
4. ITM Institute of Design and Media – B.Des in Interior Design
Course Duration: 4 Years (Full-Time Undergraduate Degree)
Course Fees: Varies as per academic year and admission cycle
ITM Institute of Design and Media, part of the ITM Group, established in 1991 by Dr. P. V. Ramana, delivers a four-year B.Des in Interior Design for students after 12th. The institute positions itself as a future-focused design school that integrates experiential learning with industry. ITM IDM builds its reputation on 35 years of academic legacy, strong industry partnerships, and global academic pathways with universities in the UK and Canada.
The program emphasizes “Learn. Think. Do.” through live projects, a mandatory four-month internship, an AI-integrated curriculum, and professional certifications. Students gain hands-on exposure, entrepreneurial training, and 100% placement assurance. You gain exposure to industry mentors, global collaborations, and structured studio training that prepare you for careers in residential, commercial, and hospitality interior design.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Design Fundamentals & Studio Practice: Build strong foundations through residential, commercial, and advanced studio projects.
- Technical Drafting & Detailing: Learn manual drafting, CAD, 3ds Max, SketchUp, V-Ray, and AI-integrated tools.
- Materials & Construction Systems: Study material behavior, construction detailing, and interior build processes.
- Interior Services & Landscape Integration: Plan electrical systems, building services, and public-private landscape spaces.
- Internship & Live Industry Exposure: Complete a mandatory four-month internship with design firms.
- Entrepreneurship & Professional Practice: Develop business strategies, costing skills, and client management expertise.
- Global Academic Pathways: Access credit transfers and study abroad opportunities in the UK and Canada.
- Portfolio & Placement Support: Build a professional portfolio backed by 100 percent placement assurance.
5. The Design Village – B.Des (Hons.) in Interior & Space Design
Course Duration: 4 Years (Including 16-Week Industry Internship)
Course Fees: ₹6,60,000 per annum
The Design Village offers a UGC-approved B.Des (Hons.) degree course in collaboration with O.P. Jindal Global University. Navneet Garg, Mridu Sahai, Sourabh Gupta, and Rishi Agrawal founded The Design Village to reshape design education in India through industry-led thinking. The institute positions itself as a designers’ ecosystem where students learn through immersion, experimentation, and global exposure.
Students learn through interdisciplinary studios, industrial workshops, and immersive field learning. A fully funded two-month Creative Residency in Milan strengthens global exposure and cultural awareness. The program develops strong conceptual thinking, material intelligence, and strategic design capabilities required for professional careers in interior and spatial design.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Design Thinking & Critical Inquiry: Build analytical and speculative thinking through structured studio projects.
- Interior & Space Studios: Design contextual, systems-based, and strategic interior environments.
- Material & Form Exploration: Experiment with materials, fabrication tools, and industrial-grade labs.
- Ethical & Sustainable Design: Apply community engagement, sustainability, and social impact principles.
- Industry Internship: Gain hands-on experience through a 16-week professional internship.
- Creative Residency in Milan: Experience global design culture through immersive international exposure.
- Capstone & Dissertation Projects: Deliver research-led final projects that demonstrate professional readiness.
6. Indus Design School – B.Des in Interior Design
Course Duration: 4 Years
Course Fees: Available upon request
Indus Design School offers a four-year B.Des. in Interior Design for students who have completed 12th grade in any stream. The institute positions itself as a process-focused design school that emphasizes learning by doing rather than theory-heavy instruction. IDS integrates indigenous craft understanding, sustainable practices, and technology-driven design methods into its curriculum.
The school blends global exposure with community-driven design thinking. Students learn Interior and Furniture Design through structured studios, real-world projects, and industry interaction. The program develops the technical skills, spatial understanding, and professional confidence needed to launch a career in interior design after graduation.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Design Fundamentals & Studio Practice: Develop spatial planning, balance, rhythm, and proportion through structured studio projects.
- Technical Drawing & Representation: Master working drawings, CAD software, 3ds Max, and digital rendering tools.
- Furniture & Interior Landscape Design: Design custom furniture and integrate interior landscaping concepts.
- Materials, Construction & Services: Study construction systems, building services, and technology integration.
- Sustainable & Climatology-Based Design: Apply environmental and energy-conscious design strategies.
- Craft Documentation & Field Study: Explore Indian craft traditions through research-based documentation.
- Project Management & Professional Practice: Learn estimation, costing, and client communication.
- Portfolio & Thesis Development: Execute a final design thesis and build a professional portfolio.
7. AAFT University – B.Des (Honors) in Interior Design
Course Duration: 4 Years
Course Fees: Available from the university
AAFT University offers a 4-year B.Des (Honors) in Interior Design for 12th pass candidates. Chancellor Sandeep Marwah leads the institution, part of the Marwah Studios legacy, which is known for creative and media education in India. AAFT positions itself as an industry-aligned creative university that blends design, technology, and professional exposure.
Students learn through studio-based projects, digital fabrication labs, and industry workshops. The program covers residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors with a strong focus on sustainability, costing, and execution drawings. Internships, live projects, and dissertation work prepare students for professional practice and entrepreneurial careers in interior design.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Basic Design & Visual Arts: Build foundations in colour, form, and spatial composition.
- Residential & Commercial Design: Design homes, cafés, villas, hotels, and office spaces.
- Furniture Design & Interior Materials: Develop functional furniture systems and material knowledge.
- Software & Visualization: Learn AutoCAD, Advanced AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3D visualization tools.
- Building Services & Sustainability: Study energy-efficient interiors and sustainable practices.
- Estimate & Costing: Understand budgeting, documentation, and execution drawings.
- Digital Fabrication & Prototyping: Work with modern fabrication tools and model-making labs.
- Research & Dissertation: Complete a final-year project with research methodology and project management.
8. British Academy of Interior Design – Certificate in Interior Design
Course Duration: 3–6 Months (Live Online)
Course Fees: £945 (Easy Payment Plan Available)
The British Academy of Interior Design offers a live online Certificate in Interior Design course for beginners who want to start interior design after school or explore the field without committing to a full degree. BAID began in 2004 and positions itself as a leading UK provider of accredited online interior design education. The academy focuses on flexible learning and practical skill building rather than theory-heavy study.
Industry professionals conduct live online classes and guide students through structured design assignments. Students build layouts, mood boards, and sample boards for real home spaces. BAC accreditation strengthens credibility, while tutor feedback ensures skill development. This course is suitable for beginners seeking foundational interior design knowledge without pursuing a four-year degree.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Elements of Interior Design: Students study form, space, light, colour, texture, pattern, and scale to understand how each element shapes a room’s atmosphere and functionality.
- Principles of Interior Design: The course teaches balance, proportion, contrast, rhythm, dominance, and focal points to help students create visually cohesive interiors.
- Residential Space Planning: Students design layouts for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining spaces with a focus on comfort and usability.
- Concept & Sample Board Creation: The program trains students to develop mood boards and material boards that communicate design ideas clearly to clients.
- Technical Drawing Basics: Learners practice basic drawing techniques to translate concepts into measurable design plans.
- Practical Assignments with Feedback: Students complete five guided projects and receive tutor feedback to refine their skills.
9. National Design Academy – BA (Hons) Interior Design
Course Duration: 3 Years (Flexible Online Study)
Course Fees: UK Students: £5,495 per year, International Students: $7,650 per year
The BA (Hons) Interior Design at the National Design Academy is a fully online UK degree that develops advanced skills in residential and commercial interior design. NDA positions itself as a specialist interior design institution focused on flexible, tutor-supported education. De Montfort University awards the final degree, which adds strong academic recognition.
The course replaces exams with tutor-assessed design projects and portfolio development. Students study space planning, sustainable interiors, lighting design, professional practice, and major design projects. Flexible enrolment allows learners to start at any time and study at their own pace while building a career-ready portfolio for global interior design opportunities.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Research & Interior Design History: Build contextual understanding of global interior movements and design evolution.
- Advanced Space Planning: Design professional residential and commercial layouts with functional zoning strategies.
- Creative Lighting & Technology: Integrate lighting concepts and modern technology into spatial design.
- Sustainable Interior Design: Apply eco-conscious materials and environmental strategies in projects.
- Home Staging & Show Home Design: Develop styling techniques used in property development and real estate.
- Professional Practice: Learn client management, project documentation, and business fundamentals.
- Major Design Project: Complete a final in-depth portfolio project moderated by De Montfort University.
10. Strate School of Design – B.Des in Space Design (Interior & Space Design Specialization)
Course Duration: 4 Years (Specialization in Year 3)
Course Fees: Available upon request
The B.Des in Space Design at Strate School of Design prepares students after 12th to design meaningful interior and public environments. Strate positions itself as a global design school that blends French design pedagogy with Indian industry exposure. The Space Design specialization begins in the third year after two years of strong design foundations.
Students learn to design commercial, cultural, retail, and workplace interiors by focusing on user experience, spatial flow, and material interaction. The curriculum integrates representation, visualization, industry-sponsored projects, and internships. This program suits students who want to move beyond basic interior decoration and build professional expertise in interior and space design.
What’s Covered in the Course
- Fundamental Design & Visualisation: Students develop artistic skills, technical drawing, 2D and 3D representation, and model-making techniques to communicate interior concepts clearly.
- Material & Process Studies: The course trains students to understand construction systems, material behavior, finishes, and spatial detailing for interior environments.
- Space Design Methodology: Students learn structured design thinking to create retail, commercial, and cultural spaces based on user flow, identity, and experience.
- Design Culture & Research: The curriculum builds contextual awareness through design history, spatial analysis, and research-driven project development.
- Industry-Sponsored Projects: Students work on live briefs guided by professionals to solve real-world spatial challenges.
- Internships & Professionalisation: Mandatory internships and professional practice modules prepare students for careers in interior and space design.
- Thesis & Final Year Project: Students complete an advanced design thesis demonstrating technical, conceptual, and presentation skills.
Why choose interior designing as a career after class 12th?
To understand why to choose interior designing as a career after class, I studied these factors:
- Jobs availability
- Global demand
- Industry trends
1. Jobs availability
There are more than 6,287 interior design jobs on LinkedIn. This indicates significant global demand for interior designers across residential and commercial spaces.
2. Global demand
We have observed a strong global demand for interior designers on Google Trends, based on global search terms, over the last 5 years.
Here are the top 5 regions that show higher interest for the earch term “Interior Designers”.
3. Industry trends
Interior design is a strong and growing global industry. The market may reach about USD 175 billion by 2030 and continue to expand each year. New construction leads demand, and commercial spaces hold the largest share. Designers now focus on smart homes, wellness spaces, and sustainable materials. If you want a creative career with steady growth and global scope, interior design offers real opportunities after 12th.
What is the salary of an interior designer in India?
An interior designer in India earns an average salary of around ₹4.3 lakh per year. Most designers with 1 to 9 years of experience earn between ₹4.1 lakh and ₹4.5 lakh annually. Income varies based on skills, portfolio strength, location, and type of projects handled.
Designers who work on large commercial spaces or luxury homes often earn higher pay.
The top 10% earn about ₹5.9 lakh per year, while the top 1% can earn nearly ₹11.1 lakh annually. With experience, strong client networks, and better project exposure, interior designers can steadily increase their earnings over time.
Final words
Interior design offers long-term career stability for students who commit to skill building and consistent practice. Success in this field depends on hands-on training, strong software knowledge, site exposure, and clear communication skills.
A well-structured course helps you understand real project workflows, client handling, and execution details. Industry growth across offices, retail spaces, and housing projects continues to create fresh opportunities every year.
Students who build a strong portfolio and stay updated with trends can move into high-paying roles or even start their own studio. Choose wisely, train seriously, and build a career that grows with experience.
Jasmine Ahluwalia is a Licensed Architect, Interior designer, Global Vastu consultant and the founder of ASDAV.
She is a graduate of Scuola Master F.lli Pesenti, Politecnico di Milano, and brings strong global exposure through academic learning and professional design projects. Her background combines architecture, interior design, and applied design education.
Before founding ASDAV, Jasmine worked as an assistant professor at Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Noida. Her research covers sustainable architecture, urban heat island reduction, and circular economy practices in construction. Her work has been published in Scopus indexed and peer reviewed journals as well. She also has strong international on-site experience from countries like Canada, Mauritius, UK, and many more.
Through ASDAV, she has trained more than 500 students across 25 cities. The ASDAV platform has 12+ instructors from IIT, SPA, CEPT and NID , and has delivered over 200 live learning sessions. Her mission is to bridge the gap between design education and real industry expectations, to deliver real growth for her students.
She designs spaces for a living, but her favourite project is designing careers.
