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Yes, Home Furnishing is an excellent career path. There are a wide variety of jobs to choose from in the field, as well as high demand for it. The housing market has been strong for years, and even if it drops, people are still going to want homes and want to furnish them.
Many of the careers here require a degree of creativity and freedom that makes it unlikely that they’ll be replaced by machines anytime soon. It also allows for a fair amount of flexibility and the ability to work with different people and in different places.
And, while not as highly paid as other career paths that require very high levels of education as well as intense focus on your job, you make a comfortable living. Several of the jobs have a lot of room for career advancement as well, allowing you to keep improving your craft.
If the job descriptions below sound interesting and attainable to you, then you should definitely consider a career in home furnishing.
Here are 19 great jobs in Home Furnishing
10 of the Best Paying Jobs in Home Furnishing
Due to the fact that these jobs are higher paid, almost all of them require a college education and experience. The subjective nature of the jobs, as well as the fact that few of them require more than a bachelor’s degree, mean that this career path isn’t as lucrative as some others. But people who specialize in the field still are able to make a comfortable living.
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Average Annual Salary: $90,000
While not directly related to decorating or furnishing a space, architecture is the science and art of making buildings. An architect may focus more on the nitty-gritty of a building, or more on its design, depending on their focus and expertise.
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Average Annual Salary: $62,000
A home designer’s job is to make a space beautiful. They have to be well versed with colors, types of furniture, window treatments, and flooring. An interior designer may help with finishing a building or, more likely, with the decoration and arrangement after the buildings are done. They can work for either individuals or companies.
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Average Annual Salary: $66,000
The job title for this occupation is very descriptive. Design architects focus on the design aspect of a building. Most of this is done with software modeling, but being able to sketch and draft blueprints is still recommended.
They usually work with a team of architects, often with a senior architect. It isn’t strictly for new construction, either, as they can work to repair or remodel older buildings as well.
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Average Annual Salary: $96,000
Architectural engineers are less involved in the design aspect of buildings and more in the practical aspects of it.
They have to have a strong understanding of architecture and materials, as they’re expected to make sure that buildings meet safety standards and are using the best materials available. Because of their expertise, they’re very well compensated for their work.
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Average Annual Salary: $68,000
A company would hire someone with this title in order to make efficient use of their space. Space planners don’t just work in terms of interior design but in offices and other workspaces.
They determine the amount of space needed for equipment and furniture, as well as the layout of workspaces such as cubicles. They must be familiar with interior design programs as well as regulations in terms of space requirements.
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Average Annual Salary: $67,000
This job isn’t specific to interior design, as design consultants help with all manners of design. Design consultants are expected to be able to fuse practicality with aesthetics to come up with both a useful and attractive space. They can work for a wide range of industries, be it retail, architecture, or graphic design.
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Average Annual Salary: $93,000
Real estate agents sell houses and other buildings. Because the salary is largely based on commission, how much you make varies by how many houses you sell and how much each house costs. Because of that, however, real estate is relatively simple to get into, and you can do quite well for yourself.
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Average Annual Salary: $57,000
An architectural designer is responsible for the design of an architectural project, rather than just buildings. This means that they’re less focused on the design of individual buildings and more on the layout of the area.
They also need to be familiar with regulations so that they can make sure the project follows state and local requirements. Good communication skills are a must because they work with both the construction managers and the client.
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Average Annual Salary: $61,000
People in this role draft the designs for furniture. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics but being able to come up with the details and layout for the construction. They need to be well versed in the different programs that are used for layouts and drawings, as well as familiar with the basic design and construction of furniture pieces.
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Average Annual Salary: $76,000
Like an architectural engineer, an architectural technician is focused on the practical aspect of building. Unlike architectural engineers, though, they aren’t involved in the actual building or design of the project.
They work with the architects to help with the structural design of the building. Their job is to tell the architect whether or not their idea is feasible and practical on a structural level and in terms of materials.
Most of these careers are going to require higher levels of education and experience, which is why they’re more highly compensated. So this is an idea of where your career can end up. If you’re looking to get your foot in the door, then the below jobs are a good place to start.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Electronic Home Furnishing
While considered entry-level, several of these jobs are going to require an apprenticeship or on-the-job training. Others require a college degree. However, they’re a good place to start looking if you want to jumpstart a career in the field.
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Average Annual Salary: $27,000
This job requires an understanding of fabric, sewing techniques, and furniture finishing. However, most of that can be learned in either a vocational school or community college.
It’s a very hands-on job that requires physical labor. The main duty of an upholster is to put fabric on furniture or to replace it. They will also do some basic finish work on the wood as well.
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Furniture Sales Consultant
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Someone in this position sells furniture. The majority of furniture sales are commission-based, meaning that your salary will vary depending on how many customers you’re able to get. Because of that, a college degree isn’t required, and experience with sales is more likely to be helpful.
While a good career on its own, it’s also an excellent way to become familiar with furniture and furniture manufacturers if you want to shift to a career in furniture design or interior design.
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Average Annual Salary: $51,000
A draftsperson is responsible for drawing up drafts based on the designer’s specs. This requires knowledge of drafting tools – most of which are computer programs – as well as the typical shorthand and symbols used in the industry.
They assist with all aspects of the drafting and drawings, from HVAC and electrical systems to drawings for the contractor to the layout of the construction area.
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Average Annual Salary: $45,000
An interior decorator’s job is to help clients with decorating a space. This includes paint, furniture, flooring, and layout. They have to be organized, as the job requires coming up with a budget, design, and being receptive to feedback. They help select and purchase the needed items and equipment, and they are in charge of the setup and installation.
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Average Annual Salary: $37,000
Apartment complexes, as well as newly built subdivisions, will typically have a model unit. And in order to make it more inviting, it’ll be furnished. The person responsible for selecting the furnishings, decorations, and color scheme is a home stager.
Their job is to make the place look inviting while leaving it bare enough that it’s easy for the prospective client to mentally alter it to their liking.
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Average Annual Salary: $54,000
A bath and kitchen designer is an expert on the layout and design of bathrooms and kitchens. They can work with clients after the place is constructed or with builders to help with the layout. They need to be well versed with colors and decorations and knowledgeable about fixtures.
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Average Annual Salary: $35,000
This job typically requires an apprenticeship. Furniture makers both make and repair furniture. Some will even do restoration work. They have to be good with their hands, knowledgeable about wood and fabric, as well as being familiar with tools.
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Average Annual Salary: $47,000
Floral designers are experts at flower arrangement. They are often called on for weddings, funerals, and other events that have a lot of flowers. However, it can be useful for parties and setting up model homes. A floral designer needs to have a strong aesthetic sense and be knowledgeable about flowers.
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Average Annual Salary: $35,000
A cabinet maker is very familiar with types of wood, woodworking, and woodworking tools. Some work individually, making bespoke cabinets, but many work with developers.
Depending, they may make the cabinet individually or put it together on the property so that it’s built into the wall. This typically requires an apprenticeship, but trade schools also teach many of the skills.
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Average Annual Salary: $41,000
Most furniture restorers work with antique pieces of furniture that have sentimental value to the owner. Some furniture restorers are apprentices, but if you have knowledge of carpentry and upholstery, you’re off to a good start.
Why Choose a Career in Home Furnishing?
This career field has a wide variety of options, depending on your inclinations. However, there are some skills that are shared in the jobs listed above. Here are some qualities to consider.
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You have a strong aesthetic sense. Most of the jobs listed here require an eye for beauty. Whether you’re a home designer or an architect, it’s important to be able to draw up something that’s aesthetically pleasing.
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Creativity is something you value. All of the jobs above require at least a little creativity. For some of them, it’s the defining characteristic, such as with a home decorator. But all of these jobs rely on it.
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Having a good report with clients is easy for you. Of course, it doesn’t have to be easy, so long as you’re successful at it. Almost all of these jobs require working with clients, be it as a designer, architect, or furniture restorer. For all of them, strong customer service skills are very helpful.
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You like having a finished product at the end. This varies a bit, of course, but whether your job is to design a house or design a room, you will end up with something you can point to at the end.
Different jobs have different requirements, as well as skills and inclinations that suit them. But if you possess the above qualities, then looking into a job in home furnishings is recommended.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Home Furnishing
This depends greatly on what career path you choose in this field. For instance, most trades require licensing. If you’re going to be working in people’s homes or on construction sites, the client wants to know you have the proper certifications.
Architects also must be licensed. They need to have the requisite education, as well as pass requirements. This will vary some state to state, but most require you to pass some sort of exam.
For many of these jobs, a bachelor’s degree is required. Here are some degrees to look into.
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Architecture. This is useful whether you want to design houses or work in design. Many interior designers know architecture, allowing them to be knowledgeable with their recommendations for altering the building’s interior.
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Architectural Engineering. This is applicable if you want to be an architectural engineer.
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Interior Design. This is applicable if you want to be a home designer or interior decorator. This focuses on the skills needed to be successful at it.
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Interior Architecture. This is another good one if you’re interested in interior design, but also if you think you want to be an architect that works more on the interior of buildings than the exterior, such as renovations.
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Fine Arts. For various types of design jobs, a degree in fine arts is helpful. It shows you have a strong understanding of aesthetics as well as familiarity with color and materials.
If you’re interested in furniture making or restoration, then it’s a good idea to check out a vocational school. Looking around for apprenticeship opportunities is also recommended.
What Do People Working in Home Furnishing Do?
People working in home furnishing work to make people’s homes and spaces more pleasant and livable. Due to the fact that people are always going to have homes and want to furnish and decorate them, there’s a good amount of job security in home furnishing as a career path.
Many aspects of decoration and furnishing are subjective, also making it unlikely that the human element will be replaced anytime soon.
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Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
