1. Courses to Learn Interior Design
Since you're starting from scratch, you can either self-learn for free or invest in a course
for a structured approach.
💡 Free Learning Resources
1. YouTube Channels
o
Design Tips by Julie Khuu – Interior design principles, colour schemes.
o
Home & Garden TV (HGTV) – Real-life case studies.
o
Gopillar Academy – CAD software tutorials.
2. Free Websites
o
Design Your Way – Design trends.
o
Architectural Digest – Interior styles & inspirations.
3. Free Online Courses
o
Udemy & Coursera have free beginner-level interior design courses.
o
MIT OpenCourseWare – Basic design concepts.
📌 Paid Courses (Short-Term & Budget-Friendly)
If you can invest in a structured course, these options are worth considering:
1. INIFD Hyderabad – Short-term interior design course (₹30K–₹50K).
2. Hamstech Institute – Interior Design Diploma (₹50K–₹1L).
3. Udemy – Interior Design for Beginners (~₹500 to ₹2,000 on discounts).
4. LinkedIn Learning – Monthly subscription for design & business skills.
➡ Best option for you: If you’re on a budget, start with free YouTube tutorials and Udemy
courses. Once you start earning, consider a diploma course for credibility.
2. Software You Need to Master
Most clients expect interior designers to use industry-standard software. Here’s what you
need to learn (ranked by priority):
📌 Essential Software (Must-Learn)
1. AutoCAD – For 2D floor plans.
o
Learn from: YouTube (CAD in Black), Udemy (₹500-₹2,000).
2. SketchUp – 3D modelling & furniture placement.
o
Learn from: YouTube (SketchUp School), Udemy.
3. Photoshop/Canva – For mood boards and concept presentations.
o
Learn from: YouTube (PiXimperfect), Udemy.
🚀 Advanced (For High-End Projects)
4. 3ds Max + V-Ray – Realistic 3D renders.
o
Learn from Udemy (~₹1,000 on sale).
5. Blender – Free alternative to 3ds Max.
6. Revit – For large-scale architectural projects (optional).
➡ Best option for you: Start with AutoCAD and SketchUp (free trial available). These two
alone can get you small projects fast. Later, add Photoshop & 3ds Max.
3. Networking & Getting Clients in Hyderabad
Your first 5-10 clients will likely come from networking and online presence. Here’s what
you should do:
📌 Offline Networking Strategies
1. Real Estate Agents & Builders 🚀
o
Visit builders’ offices in Hyderabad (e.g., Gachibowli, Banjara Hills).
o
Offer free first consultation to get small projects.
o
Real estate agents often refer designers to home buyers – network with
them.
2. Furniture Stores & Contractors
o
Visit top furniture stores in Hyderabad
o
Offer to design layouts for their customers.
o
Connect with civil contractors – they often need designers for finishing work.
3. Co-Working Spaces & Cafés
o
Visit T-Hub, WeWork, or local cafes and pitch your services.
o
Offer to design small office spaces for startups.
📌 Online Strategies (FREE & Effective)
1. LinkedIn & Instagram (Daily Posting Strategy)
o
Post before-after transformations, mood boards, and design tips.
o
Engage with Hyderabad real estate pages.
o
Join Hyderabad real estate & home decor groups on Facebook.
2. Fiverr, Upwork & UrbanClap (Urban Company)
o
List services like 2D layout, 3D designs, colour consultations.
o
Charge ₹3,000-₹10,000 per small project to get started.
3. YouTube Shorts & Instagram Reels
o
Show simple room makeovers & interior hacks to attract clients.
o
Hyderabad has many NRIs looking for interior design remotely.
➡ Best option for you: Start with LinkedIn + Instagram marketing + real estate agent
networking. This combo will get you leads within 3 months.
🔹 Fastest Way to Start Earning ₹50K/Month
1. First 3 months:
o
Offer free/low-cost interior design work to 3-5 people for testimonials.
o
Build a small portfolio (using SketchUp + AutoCAD).
o
Network with real estate agents & contractors.
2. Next 3-6 months:
o
Get first 5 paid projects (₹10K–₹30K each).
o
Scale up Instagram & LinkedIn content.
o
Partner with furniture stores for referrals.
3. Within 12 months:
o
Charge ₹1L+ per project.
o
Offer full-fledged turnkey interior design services.
o
Expand into high-end clients (luxury apartments, NRI homes).
🚀 Action Plan for This Month
1. Pick a free/affordable course on Udemy & start learning AutoCAD + SketchUp.
2. Create 3 sample designs (living room, bedroom, office).
3. Start an Instagram & LinkedIn page and post daily design tips/mood boards.
4. Visit 3 real estate offices & 2 furniture stores this week to network.
5. Apply for freelance gigs on Fiverr & Upwork.