Join a community of creatives studying interior design courses online

Turn your eye for interior design into a real portfolio and a respected qualification. Learn alongside thousands of others who started exactly where you are now.
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35,000+
students
Since 2006
online courses
Accredited Business DDA IARC
Pinning samples to a mood board

Do you have a hidden talent for interior design?

A folder of renovation photos. A Pinterest board you've been building for years. Friends who ask your opinion before they repaint. These are the signs of talent waiting to be nurtured.

With the right training, where could you be a year from now? Real projects, clients who seek you out, and a home that finally matches the one in your dreams.

Our online interior design courses make it real, backed by 35,000+ students and a private creative community.

Questions people ask before enrolling

We hear these often:

”
I don't know if an online qualification will be respected.
”
I'm not sure I have the talent. I might just be talking myself into this.
”
I've got a full-time job and I don't know where I'll find time to study.
”
What if I spend the money and just don't finish?

You’re not the only one asking them, and that’s why the rest of this page gives you the answers you need.

Course module materials laid out

Two paths tend to bring people here

Maybe you're done watching other people build your dream career, and the only things standing in your way are a real portfolio or landing that first job.

Or maybe this was never about a career at all. You just want to develop the eye you've always had, on your own time, with no one grading how fast you get there.

Either way, you're the kind of designer we're looking for.

Course module materials laid out

Could this be more than a hobby?

If it’s a career you’re after, you should know demand for skilled interior designers keeps growing.

Imagine your own clients, hours, and business. If that's your dream, we help make it a reality. Senior designers, studio owners, and design directors regularly push well into six figures, and that's before counting the freedom of setting your own rates.

But a promise like that is only worth something if it's actually true for people who've done it.

Course module materials laid out

Two decades. Thousands of graduates. Here's the proof.

IDI has taught interior design courses online since 2006. That's not a pandemic pivot, but two decades built on one belief: learn by doing, not years of theory first. 35,000+ students have come through our courses, with thousands of Trustpilot reviews.

Course module materials laid out

What you're signing up for

More than just 12 modules, our online interior design courses deliver a complete toolkit.

  • 24/7 student support.
  • Flexible online learning you can access anytime, at your own pace.
  • A private community of 35,000+ students for connection and peer support.
  • A built-in portfolio tool to showcase your work.
  • Live workshops with industry experts.
  • The option to learn from Darren Palmer through the Darren Palmer Masterseries.
  • Personal feedback and guidance from a professional interior designer throughout your course.
  • Practical assignments that build your skills and portfolio as you progress.
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More to explore, when you're ready

Finishing your diploma doesn't mean you're finished learning. Here's what's waiting for you next.

Darren Palmer Masterseries

Darren Palmer Masterseries

Exclusive video masterclasses from one of the industry's best-known interior designers and TV personalities.

Learn more
Advanced Modules

Advanced Modules

Go deeper into AutoCAD, SketchUp, kitchen and bathroom design, or commercial interiors, unlocked from Module 2.

Learn more
Online Workshops

Online Workshops

Live sessions connecting you with working designers and other students in real time, from wherever you're studying.

Learn more
Getting stuck!

But what if I get stuck?

Most students start with no formal training, no software experience, just a willingness to learn. Nothing to submit up front, no prerequisites, no assumed knowledge.

Hit a wall at 9pm with no one to ask? That's what your tutor is for, a practising interior designer who reviews every assignment personally and tells you what to fix, not a generic mark out of ten.

Will online study suit how you learn? Will you connect with people? Fair questions, and ones that real interior design training online should put to rest before you commit. Here's how we take the risk off the table.

Zero risk. Real refund.

You get 7 days from enrolment to decide if this is right for you. If it isn't, just tell us. You'll get a full refund. No lengthy forms or guilt trips. Just your money back.

Frequently asked questions

Look for real accreditation, a practical assignment-based curriculum rather than theory alone, personal tutor feedback, and a portfolio you graduate with. IDI's Diploma of Interior Design checks each of these boxes: 12 hands-on modules, one-on-one tutor support, and a professional portfolio by the end, recognised by DDA Canada (Decorators & Designers Association of Canada).

If you're weighing it against a traditional design degree, the honest answer is: it depends what you're optimising for. Online interior design programs like the IDI Diploma get you a real portfolio and industry-relevant skills in as little as a year, at a fraction of university cost, without giving up recognition, IDI's Diploma is recognised by DDA Canada.

It's a Diploma, a complete qualification rather than a short-form certificate, though it covers the same ground as most interior design certificate programs and then goes further. If you've been comparing interior design diploma or interior design certificate options, this is the more complete alternative.

The core 12-module Diploma doesn't require any software, every assignment can be completed with sketches and standard design tools. If you want dedicated training in industry software, SketchUp and AutoCAD are both available as optional Advanced Modules from Module 2 onward.

Graduates go on to work as interior designers, interior stylists, residential or commercial design specialists, or launch their own freelance design practice. Many IDI graduates choose self-employment, since the Diploma's business module covers client management and pricing alongside the creative skills.

Yes. The Diploma of Interior Design is recognised by DDA Canada (Decorators & Designers Association of Canada), and every student works through the same practical, industry-relevant curriculum regardless of where they're studying from.

No. Most students start with no formal design background, just an interest in interiors and a willingness to learn.

Yes. There are no fixed start dates or class times, so you study evenings, weekends, or whenever the time actually comes from.

You get 12 months of standard access with the Diploma (18 months with Diploma Plus) to complete the course. Study is self-paced, so the pace is up to you, and a paid extension is available if you need more time.

You’ve got everything you need. Now it’s time to enrol.

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There’s no reason to wait. You’re covered by our 7-day guarantee. The real risk is putting this off another year.

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