Training in interior decorating will prepare you for a career that emphasizes the outward appearances of solid structures. Interior decorators work with surfaces, such as floors, walls and ceilings. An interior decorating school will give you familiarity with the applying of interior decorations, such as wallpaper, light sources, paint, fabric and furniture.
Interior design schools, though similar to interior decorating schools, focus on the actual design of the interior space which is to be decorated. In such a school, you will learn how to use available space to allow a room's function to be used to the fullest. Concepts like construction, acoustics and safety standards are especially important in interior design schools.
Interior design and decorating schools fall into two categories: college and online. College courses are always accredited, but require you to attend class in-person, thereby being less flexible. Online schools are not always accredited, so unless you are enrolling into an interior decorating or design school merely out of interest, confirm that your online school is accredited.
Many interior design and decorating schools will allow you to specialize in a certain area of your field in addition to studying the basics. Some examples of specialization choices are the designs of certain types of rooms, such as hotel lobbies, bathrooms or offices, and decorations of certain types, such as painting, wallpaper and feng shui decorations.
Both interior design and interior decorating schools prepare you for entering the workforce in their respective fields. Companies often prefer applicants with both degrees and work experience, so take advantage of your experience in school to apply for internships in order to gain valuable work experience. Interior design and decorating schools have the advantage of providing students with assistance in finding internships. Students usually take advantage of these internship opportunities in their senior year.