Interior Design Course Syllabus for 2026 Batch

Most people searching for an interior design course ask the same questions: What will I learn? How long will it take? Will I actually be ready to work when it’s over?

These are the right questions, because not every course answers them honestly.

A syllabus is more than a list of modules. It is a promise about where you will be at the end. And if you are investing time and money into building a new skill or shifting careers, that distinction matters.

This guide breaks down what an interior design course syllabus should cover, how ASDAV’s residential and commercial tracks are structured, and what you will genuinely walk away with: skills, software, and a portfolio included.

Interior Design Syllabus Overview

What makes a syllabus valuable is not just what it covers, but how it prepares you for real work. ASDAV’s interior design course is structured around the actual skills employers look for: space planning that works, material selection that fits budgets, and presentation skills that win clients.

We offer two specialized tracks:

• Interior Design: Residential Spaces – Focused on homes, apartments, villas, and personal living environments where comfort and lifestyle drive design decisions.
• Interior Design: Commercial Spaces – Focused on offices, retail stores, restaurants, and hospitality environments where branding, functionality, and user experience determine success.

Both courses run for 12 weeks with 40+ live sessions, 3+ capstone projects, and integrated software training in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Canva. You graduate with a portfolio, not just a certificate.

Residential Interior Design Course Syllabus

Residential interior design focuses on creating spaces where people live, relax, and connect with family. Unlike commercial projects, residential design centers on personal comfort, lifestyle preferences, and emotional connection to space. A structured residential syllabus typically covers projects ranging from studio apartments to luxury villas.

Module 1: Introduction to Interior Design

This module establishes your foundation. You will learn the difference between interior design and interior decoration – a distinction many beginners miss. You will also learn the complete design process from initial client brief to final execution, explore the scope of residential interior work, and study successful home design case studies. By the end of Module 1, you will understand what clients expect from interior designers and how professional workflows operate.

Module 2: Space Planning & Zoning

Space planning is where good design begins. This module covers reading and interpreting floor plans, anthropometry (human dimensions in design), and spatial zoning for private, semi-private, and public areas within homes. Topics include circulation flow, functional furniture layouts, and the difference between open-plan and compartmentalized design. A hands-on assignment involves designing layouts for small apartments.

Module 3: Design Styles & Concepts

Every client has a style preference, even if they cannot articulate it. This module covers major design styles: modern, traditional, Scandinavian, bohemian, minimalist, and contemporary Indian. Topics include creating mood boards, developing design concepts, and translating client preferences into cohesive visual themes. Understanding how to mix styles for eclectic interiors gives designers flexibility that cookie-cutter approaches lack.

Module 4: Color Theory & Lighting Design

Color and light transform spaces more than any other element. This module covers the color wheel, harmony principles, and color psychology – why certain colors evoke calm while others energize. The lighting section addresses ambient, task, accent, and decorative lighting, plus the interplay between natural and artificial light. The module concludes with creating color schemes and lighting plans that work together.

Module 5: Materials & Finishes

Materials make or break a design – both aesthetically and practically. This module covers wood types, glass varieties, stone finishes, metals, laminates, and textiles, with a focus on evaluating materials based on durability, maintenance requirements, cost, and visual appeal. Sustainable and eco-friendly options are also explored. Practical exercises include creating material boards for different room types.

Module 6: Furniture Design & Layout

Furniture is the functional heart of interior design. This module covers standard furniture dimensions, spatial requirements, and the difference between custom versus modular furniture. Topics include built-in storage solutions, space-saving concepts for compact homes, and basic joinery knowledge. Drafting furniture elevations and sections is also covered – skills essential for communicating with carpenters and fabricators.

Price: ₹37,999 (Original: ₹1,25,000)

👉 Explore Residential Interior Design Course ​​and explore Weeks 7-12 covering services integration, budgeting, client communication, and final portfolio development.

Commercial Interior Design Course Syllabus

Commercial interior design operates differently from residential work. Design must support branding, customer experience, employee productivity, and regulatory compliance. 

Whether the project involves a startup office, retail showroom, or hotel lobby, commercial interiors balance aesthetics with business objectives.

Module 1: Introduction to Commercial Interior Design

This module builds your basic understanding of commercial interiors and how they differ from residential projects. You will learn about different types of commercial spaces such as offices, retail stores, hospitality venues, and healthcare facilities. Each type has its own functional needs. 

The module also explains branding integration, user movement, and compliance requirements. Real commercial case studies help you see how theory applies in actual projects.

Module 2: Space Planning and Functionality

Commercial spaces must function smoothly. This module focuses on layout zoning for better workflow, proper space allocation for different user types, and foot traffic planning. It covers layout development for co working spaces and café interiors using AutoCAD. You also learn why certain areas need to be placed close to each other and how to design circulation that avoids congestion.

Module 3: Branding and Concept Development

In commercial projects, interiors become an extension of the brand. This module explains how brand values, colors, and messaging can be translated into physical space. It includes creating mood boards and concept boards using Canva. Material selection that supports brand identity is also covered. The goal is to ensure visual consistency across every touchpoint in the space.

Module 4: Color, Lighting and Material Selection

Color and lighting decisions directly affect user behavior. This module explores how lighting can influence shopping patterns in retail stores and productivity in office environments. It covers natural and artificial lighting strategies and basic lighting plan development in AutoCAD.

You also work on digital material boards and understand how finish requirements differ between retail and workspace settings.

Module 5: Furniture, Fixtures and Layout

Commercial furniture must balance comfort, durability, and brand presence. This module includes ergonomic workstation planning, reception desk design, retail display systems, and modular office layouts. Fixture placement based on visibility and movement flow is explained clearly. You also draft FF&E layouts using AutoCAD and SketchUp to test arrangements before execution.

Module 6: 3D Visualization and Concept Mockups

Clients often need to see a space before approving it. This module focuses on 3D modeling using SketchUp for commercial interiors. It covers creating digital mockups, setting camera angles, and building walkthrough views. Materials and lighting are applied to create realistic renders. Branding elements can also be added using Canva to present a complete visual concept.

Price: ₹32,999 (Original: ₹1,05,000)

👉Visit Commercial Interior Design Course Online covering Weeks 7-12: technical drawings, documentation, retail design, workspace planning, and portfolio development.

What is the Eligibility to Enroll in an Interior Design Course?

No prior design background is required to enroll in an interior design course. These courses are designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners at different stages of their education and career.

Students from any academic stream, whether science, commerce, or arts, can pursue interior design. Working professionals looking for a career change, architects who want to specialize in residential or commercial interiors, and home décor enthusiasts ready to turn their passion into a profession are all eligible to apply.

In terms of technical requirements, all you need is a laptop or desktop with a stable internet connection. Good interior design programs integrate software training directly into the curriculum, covering tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Canva from the ground up. No prior software knowledge is necessary. 

A weekly commitment of around 8 to 10 hours for lessons and assignments is enough to progress steadily through the course.

If you are looking for a structured program built around these principles, the ASDAV Interior Design Courses are worth exploring. It is designed for beginners and working professionals alike, with mentorship and a portfolio-focused curriculum to help you move from learning to practice.

What you’ll learn by the end of our interior design courses

Completion means more than finishing modules. It means being ready to work. Here is what you will walk away with:

Space Planning That Works

You will create layouts that balance aesthetics with functionality. Whether designing a compact studio apartment or a large office floor, you will know how to zone spaces, plan circulation, and optimize every square foot.

Design Aligned with Branding and User Experience

For commercial projects, you will translate brand identity into physical environments. For residential projects, you will capture client personalities in their living spaces. Either way, your designs will tell stories.

Technical Proficiency in Industry Software

AutoCAD for drafting floor plans and technical drawings. SketchUp for 3D modeling and client presentations. Canva for mood boards, material boards, and visual proposals. These are the tools employers expect.

A Strong Portfolio Ready for Jobs or Clients

Your portfolio = career currency. 

By the end of the course, you will have 3+ completed projects with concept boards, floor plans, 3D views, and material selections. This is what gets you hired or wins freelance clients.

Want to learn all this in 12 weeks? Join ASDAV’s commercial Interior Design Course and start building real skills with real projects.

Why Enroll in ASDAV’s Interior Design Course?

Not all interior design courses deliver results. Here is what makes ASDAV different:

One-on-One Sessions

Personal attention accelerates learning. Our faculty provides individual feedback on your work, addresses your specific questions, and guides your unique design development. You are never just another face in a crowded classroom.

Cohort Group Discussions

Design improves through critique and collaboration. Regular group discussions expose you to different perspectives, help you articulate your design choices, and build the communication skills clients expect.

Real-Life Case Studies

Theory without application creates impractical designers. Our 20+ case studies cover actual residential and commercial projects – including budgets, client demands, site challenges, and execution lessons. You learn what works and what fails in real practice.

Comprehensive Courseware

All session recordings, templates, resource materials, and reference guides remain accessible for life. Whether you want to revisit a concept months later or share resources with team members, your learning materials stay available.

“Most interior design courses teach you to make pretty drawings. We teach you to solve problems. Our students learn to ask the right questions during client briefings, select materials that fit real budgets, and present designs that clients actually approve. The 12-week structure exists because we tested shorter and longer formats – 12 weeks is the sweet spot where you learn enough to be competent but stay focused enough to complete strong projects.”

– Jasmine Ahluwalia, Founder, Asian School of Design & Applied Vastu

💡 Further resources

• How to Become An Interior Designer In 7 Simple Steps – Asdav 
• Portfolio development for Architects and Interior Designers Masterclass 
• Interior Styling & Spatial Decoration Masterclass 

Ready to Start Your Interior Design Journey?

The interior design market in India is growing at over 14% annually. Trained designers with structured skills and strong portfolios are increasingly valuable. Whether you choose residential or commercial specialization, our 12-week program gives you the foundation, software skills, and project experience to enter this field with confidence.

ASDAV graduates work at design studios, architecture firms, and as independent consultants. Some have started their own practices within a year of completing the course. What matters is starting with the right foundation – and that is what our structured syllabus provides.

Have questions before enrolling? Get in Touch for free career counselling.

Enroll Now 👇

• Residential Interior Design Online Course – For homes, apartments, and personal living environments
• Commercial Interior Design Training Online – For offices, retail, hospitality, and branded environments

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in an interior design syllabus?

A comprehensive interior design syllabus covers space planning, color theory, lighting design, material selection, furniture layout, technical drafting, and software training. ASDAV’s curriculum also includes client communication, budgeting basics, and portfolio development.

What software will I learn in this interior design course?

You will gain hands-on proficiency in AutoCAD for 2D technical drawings and floor plans, SketchUp for 3D modeling and visualization, and Canva for creating mood boards, material boards, and client presentations. All software training is integrated into project work, not taught in isolation.

Can I learn interior design in 12 weeks?

Yes. Our 12-week structure is specifically designed for focused, intensive learning. With 40+ live sessions, real project assignments, and one-on-one feedback, students build foundational skills, complete portfolio projects, and become job-ready during the program. The key is a consistent weekly commitment of 8-10 hours.

What’s the difference between commercial and residential interior design?

Residential design focuses on personal living spaces – homes, apartments, villas – where comfort and lifestyle preferences drive decisions. Commercial design addresses offices, retail stores, hospitality venues, and branded environments where functionality, user flow, branding consistency, and regulatory compliance matter more than personal taste.

Does ASDAV provide certificates?

Yes. Upon successful course completion, you receive an industry-recognized certificate from ASDAV. The certificate is shareable on LinkedIn, portfolios, and resumes. However, your completed projects and portfolio typically carry more weight with employers than the certificate alone.