Interior Design Decoration

Interior design and decoration is the practice of shaping built interior environments to meet the functional, aesthetic, and emotional needs of the people who inhabit them. It draws on spatial thinking, colour theory, materials knowledge, lighting design, and an understanding of human psychology to create spaces that are both beautiful and liveable. The field spans residential interiors, commercial and hospitality spaces, heritage restoration, and set design, and it asks practitioners to move fluently between creative vision and practical implementation.

This three-year full-time programme at Southampton Solent University, which includes a foundation year, is delivered with the involvement of industry professionals and carries accreditation from the Society of British and International Design. You will develop design skills across the full process, from initial concept and spatial planning through materials and colour selection to the production of technical drawings and client presentations. A foundation year provides additional preparation and creative development for students whose portfolio or academic background benefits from a supported entry route into the degree.

With a typical entry tariff of 120 points for the programme as a whole, the course suits students with a strong creative interest in the design of interior environments.

Interior design and decoration graduates move into a wide range of professional contexts. Residential interior design, in private practice or employed by interior design studios, is a direct route. Commercial interiors, including retail, hospitality, workplace, and healthcare design, represent a larger and growing market for qualified designers.

Property development companies, furniture and materials manufacturers, and retail brands with in-store design operations all employ interior designers. Many graduates develop freelance or independent practices, building client relationships across residential and commercial sectors. Heritage and conservation interiors is a specialist route for those interested in working with historic buildings.

Professional accreditation through SBID and further study, including postgraduate programmes in interior architecture or spatial design, are available for those who want to develop their expertise or move into more technically complex projects.