In 2022, interior decorating will continue to be one of the hottest career fields for young, hard-working adults who have the right qualifications. But, it’s not enough to just want a job; you have to have the right qualifications to break into the profession. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective ways to acquire the education, experience, and contacts for building a long-term career as an interior decorator in the residential or commercial sector. Paid or non-paid internships are the most common entry point for those who want to get their feet wet and find out what the day-to-day job challenges are like for full-time practitioners. 

But a college degree can be the icing on the cake for anyone who wants to build a portfolio of internship work alongside a solid educational background. One of the best ways to add real work experience to your portfolio is to do a few no-cost jobs just to develop skills and make a few initial contacts. It’s also imperative to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the profession. But a universal skill of all prospective decorators is networking. Here are some suggestions for getting your new career underway.

Earn a College Diploma

For most careers, a college degree is a perfect starting point. For anyone who aims for an interior decorating career, a diploma from an accredited four-year institution can do wonders. That’s because, even if you intend to start your own company, it’s essential to gain experience with a company first. Employers prefer to see academic credentials as well as experience. Many colleges offer specific majors in ID-related fields. 

To pay for school, don’t forget to use a search-and-apply service to find scholarship opportunities. Companies like Going Merry Scholarships can help you scan the available resources and apply for dozens of scholarships simultaneously, which is a smart way to save time and maximize your chances of finding cash for school. You can use the money to cover some or all of your school-related expenses.

Do an Internship

Find a company that’s willing to take you on as an unpaid intern. The value of working for free, temporarily, of course, is to build up a portfolio, gain core experience, and make industry contacts. Keep in mind that most interior decorating interns work for independent firms and do so on a part-time basis that allows for flexible hours. That way, it’s easy to keep your day job while interning.

Learn How to Network

One of the ways to increase your career prospects and one of the advantages of doing an internship is the ability to build a professional network. Learning to develop an extensive list of names and contacts takes time and effort but is well worth the struggle. Join local chambers of commerce, make contacts in the real estate industry, attend as many ID events as possible, and go to job fairs. Trade shows are another source of potential contacts and network building. Some of the professionals you should focus on when creating a list of names include home appraisers, real estate agents, home inspectors, house painters, furniture sellers, and anyone who services or sells to the home-building industry.

If you’re a single woman and worry about keeping your house or apartment safe and secure from intruders, there’s some good news. The prices of sophisticated devices like surveillance systems, direct-to-police alarms, and others continue to come down. In an era when inflation is striking rather heavily in almost every other sector of the consumer market, home security products are a bargain. 

Compared to 10 years ago, when smart locks and other high-tech items were relatively new, today’s price tags in the niche are amazingly reasonable and within reach of any household budget. For women who live alone or with children, it’s critical to maximize safety, and that means getting acquainted with what’s available. Here’s a plan that can help you get started, pay for it all, and know what kinds of things to install in your home.

Make a Security Wish List

Start by reviewing the products that are available from major security retailers and making a wish list. Base the listing on the size of your living space, the amount of money you want to spend, the amount of security you believe you need, and other factors that seem pertinent to you. Don’t forget to ask for free advice from a reputable merchant who can point you in the right direction in terms of devices that are best for single women and make ideal choices for people who live in apartments and homes of all sizes.

Reduce Monthly Expenses

While home security products are not expensive, if you live in a larger home or intend to add multiple layers of protection to your living quarters, it’s wise to cut monthly expenses to free up some essential capital. Getting your finances in order is a good idea in any case, and one of the best ways to begin is to refinance education debt. Refinancing an old student loan into a new one can instantly reduce monthly cash outflow by a significant amount. Applying for a refi online is a simple task that just takes a few minutes but has the potential to chop a big chunk off your regular expenses.

Get All-Around Surveillance Cams

Your list should include one or more surveillance cameras. Security cameras are a great example of home upgrades that make a difference while supporting safety. You can choose to buy a pack of 10 cams, a popular choice among security-minded homeowners, and place the devices around the perimeter of your home. There are high-end and basic systems and everything in between. Some feature motion-sensitive sensors that can follow suspicious objects that appear in the camera’s range of view. Others are standard ceiling mount versions that can be concealed by a mirror or transparent panel.

Install Motion-Sensitive Spotlights

Motion-activated spotlights are inexpensive and serve as excellent deterrents to break-ins and property vandalism. Some homeowners place them all around the structure, while others choose to put the lights only above entryways like doors, windows, and pet access areas. An integrated alarm system is another feature of the best retail kits. You can choose to connect all your devices to a single alarm for maximum effect. Finally, having smart locks on front and back doors is a must for anyone who lives alone or with children.

Have you been wondering which home upgrades are worthwhile? Everyone wants to avoid pouring money into projects that don’t boost property value or add significantly to the comfort or visual appeal of a home. So, how can owners decide what kinds of projects to take on and which ones to ignore? In nearly every case, a wise first step is to pay for one or more inspections.

A licensed professional can tell you what needs to be done and what your priorities should be. After that, it’s up to you to pick and choose among projects like bathroom renovations, interior and exterior painting, decks, pools, and other enhancements. When it comes to paying for any project, small or large, owners can do themselves a favor by getting an accurate price estimate and arranging for financing first.

It’s good to go into a project knowing that it has already been paid for. Not only do you get the peace of mind in knowing that you have expenses covered, but you are more able to focus on the job itself. This is true whether you’re putting on a new roof, fixing up the kitchen, adding an in-home office, or adding a new coat of paint. Here are the details, along with a few suggestions for getting underway.

Pay for Professional Inspections

Contractors usually offer low fee inspections for things like plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, foundations, insulation, roofs, and more. Don’t skimp on paying for needed inspections. In many cases, hiring a pro is the only way you can know for sure if you need a new roof, air duct cleaning, or wiring repairs.

Pay First, Improve Later

Every homeowner knows that it’s critical to get a project financed ahead of time. No one wants to risk the nightmare of running out of money in the middle of a renovation job. Not only is the mess hard to deal with, but you’re left to wait until you can come up with the rest of the money before finishing the job. Fortunately, just about any homeowner can cover all the expenses associated with upgrades by working with a private lender and taking out a personal loan. Not only are rates competitive, but you’ll gain access to lenient terms and realistic repayment periods. Borrowing for home-related projects makes good financial sense all around.

Bathrooms and Paint Jobs

Bathrooms are a favorite renovation project for many homeowners because they can do most of the work themselves, costs are reasonable, and a complete re-do usually takes less than a month. Painting is another category where DIY skills come in handy, and you likely won’t need to hire a professional contractor. Browsing the various bathroom trends can help you pick a direction in terms of your style and décor. Some owners discover that it’s wise to hire a pro to do the outside work and tackle the indoor painting as a DIY job.

Decks, Pools, and Other Outdoor Luxuries

Swimming pools, backyard decks, hot tubs, barbecue pits, and other outdoor amenities can add beauty, function, fun, and value to any property. Get several estimates from local contractors before deciding which projects to tackle first. For example, barbecue pits, decks, and above-ground hot tubs make excellent DIY tasks.

Are you among the millions of homeowners who seriously consider installing solar roof panels? If so, the decision can be tricky because there are a lot of variables involved. For instance, some homes just aren’t constructed for the purpose. The good news is that most are, and no matter where you live, adding this new technology to your rooftop can mean significant savings on utility bills. Here’s a close-up look at the key pros and cons of installing a solar power energy array to your home’s roof.

Pro: Savings

Ask anyone who has panels on their roof, and they’ll invariably tell you that the main benefit from embracing eco-friendliness is lower electricity costs. If you live in a region where utilities regularly up prices, and do so with very little advance warning, you already understand the power of having access to low-cost energy. Plus, depending where you live, it’s often possible to sell back any excess electricity you produce to the local utility. That way, you’re not only eliminating an entire electric bill but getting cash, or utility credits, in return for the electricity you sell to the utility company.

Con: Cost

Making a significant investment in your home means up-front expenses that might be higher than expected. Some homeowners choose to sell their life insurance policies when seeking to help with bills and expenses associated with major improvements. Selling a life insurance policy for cash is a relatively simple and quick process. The best way to get started is by reviewing a basic online guide about how to get an immediate cash payout by selling your policy. Note that homeowners can use the proceeds from the sale for anything they wish, including adding a solar array to their roofs.

The downside of solar, for many homeowners who consider it, is that initial costs can be very high. While it usually takes about eight years for systems to pay for themselves, you’re still out a major chunk of money when you buy the panels for your roof. That’s why some people opt to lease the systems rather than purchase them outright. But with leasing, there’s usually a longer payoff period and less excess energy to sell each month. Buying is the far better option, but not everyone can afford it.

Con: Some Roofs Are Not Suitable

If you live in an older structure, or one that has either a slate-based or thatch-type roof, it can be very difficult to fit it with panels. Likewise, if you live in a place where there is not abundant direct sunlight, or if your house in shaded by large trees or nearby buildings, it might not be worthwhile to purchase a sun-based energy system.

Pro: Higher Resale Value

People shopping for homes often seek out those that are equipped with either rooftop or ground-based solar panels. It’s a win-win for buyers because they don’t have to pay the up-front costs or deal with installation headaches. For sellers, the deal is a way to recoup some or all of the initial installation expense. In today’s real estate market, sellers can get higher prices if their houses are equipped with professionally installed solar energy panels.

Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your home between preparing meals or talking around the island while spending time with family and friends. In fact, kitchen renovation is the top request when it comes to interior design. So, when it comes to making yours everything you ever dreamed about, you might not know where to start. Every kitchen renovation is different, so even if you love the idea of ripping out your existing floor and cabinets, you might have the budget or ability to do so. Here’s what you need to know about kitchen remodeling.

Layout

Your final remodel is determined by the layout of your kitchen. You need to consider where the power and water supply are located and whether they can be moved. You should take inventory of any dead space you have in your kitchen and come up with some ideas of how you’d like to change it. Make rough sketches of your dream layout to give a contractor a general idea of what you’re hoping to achieve. There are also design apps that create renderings you can use to help make the process easier as well. Once you have a good understanding of how your kitchen is built, you can focus on how to improve the overall functionality and flow.

Efficiency and Functionality

Even though single-wall galley kitchens are making a comeback, L-shaped kitchens can be bought in most homes. If your kitchen functions as a family hub, it will be far different than one belonging to someone who’s single and living in the city. If your dream kitchen is nothing like the one you currently have, you also need to think about your finances. Kitchen makeovers can be as inexpensive as a quick coat of paint or as costly as a complete demolition and rebuild. For this reason, you might want to consider getting a line of home equity credit. There are plenty of guides online for review, which explain the process of taking out a line of home equity credit. This type of credit allows you to tap into your home’s equity for renovations. The interest could be tax deductible, and the repayment terms are usually less than with bank loans.

Color Palette

When it comes to repainting or wallpapering your kitchen, you need to think about the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. Consider the color of your cabinets, counters and floors. Choose a complimentary color or walk covering that tie everything together and creates a cozy environment. You also need to choose your kitchen gadgets accordingly. If you have a more eclectic taste, there’s no shortage of bold blenders, mixers and coffee makers on the market. However, it’s never a good idea to have every kitchen gadget you own competing for attention. For instance, if red is your signature color, choose one item in this hue. The goal is to let your personality shine through without throwing off the ambiance of your new kitchen. This will be even more important if you want to sell your home in the future.

You might love the idea of remodeling your house, but you might not know where to get started. The good news is that you are not alone. Many people start the process without knowing what to expect but doing so can lead to mishaps. That’s why understanding a bit more about the process can help you avoid unforeseen issues or expenses to simplify the process as much as possible. 

Planning the Process

If you plan on doing a major home renovation, you’ll want to think about how you’ll cover the cost. You’ll want to try to lower your monthly expenses while you save up for the remodeling project. One way of doing so is to refinance your student loan into a new one with the help of a private lender to get personal finances in order going forward.

One way of saving money is to talk to several contractors and then compare their prices. Different contractors have varying ways of getting things done, so you will want to understand each process before deciding. Otherwise, you might end up paying too much or not getting things done the way you want to. Make sure you do your research and get several opinions, especially for a big project. 

Using a Key Lockbox

If you do not live in the house you are remodeling, it might be a good idea to consider using a key lockbox. That is especially true if you do not live in the area. If you have several projects that are impossible to do by yourself, using a contractor is the best way to go. They often like to begin the project early in the morning, so they should be able to let themselves into your home. 

Otherwise, you might have to fight the morning rush hour to get there on time. Plus, allowing the contracts to let themselves in can save you quite a bit of fuel and time. If you don’t like the idea of a lockbox, you can also use smart hardware on the door and give the contractor a code.

Spending Time in the Area

It is best to avoid deciding on things like paint or lighting at first. Instead, spend a bit of time in that area and think about what you like. For instance, if you know you don’t like the flooring, consider what would work in that space and look nice. There are many types of flooring available, and you also have a range of colors to pick from.

The same is true of picking paint colors. You need to place samples of the paint on your walls to understand how the colors work together. And you might find that after updating the floor and paint, the light fixtures do not work as well as you had thought. Spend a bit of time thinking about everything will work together in the end. That way, you will not have to start over in your design later on. Of course, you may still find your ideas change along the way, but you can always make small tweaks to your design.