Natwerk Designs

Would it be better to go to college for interior design, or just become a certified home stager?

Alright. So, this is my dilemma. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to do interior design. I loved how I could use my artistic abilities to make rooms unique, find the best arangement for furniture, and help others feel comfertable and happy in their space. I plan on going to college next year as a major in interior design. However, somthing as equally intresting and good in pay has recently attracted my attention. Home staging. I love the idea of helping people sell their homes through making others invision themselves living in it. Not only that, but the pay is great, and I do very well in high-stress level possitions. It gives me a rush, and I love the feeling of accomplishment. Now I have a problem. I don't know what would be better for me to do. I am definantly wanting to do homestaging, but it's a little pricey for all the training. So, would it be easier for me to go to college for interior design, or just become a certified home stager? Please help. - Haha about design star. You know, I was thinking about that not too long ago. Maybe I'll try it after I do some more research! :) - WOW! Thank you , Jinan79! I thought the same thing! Thanks for the help, although the question will still be open for anyone who has insight, and thank you everyone. :)

Public Comments

1. Okay, if you want to just make some quick money, and maybe have kids in the near future, then a "job" in home staging may be for you. However, each "level" of college degree you go up makes you increasingly in demand. Don't pass up the opportunity to go to college, and get the "college experience" as well as securing a bachelor's degree, ask a college recruiter about "income dispersion" to learn more about the benefits of getting a bachelor's degree as soon as possible.
2. Audition for HGTV's Design Star. They are already taking video tapes for next season.
3. I have three arguments for why you should go to college. First, when you are just starting out, trying to find a job or drum up business, having a B.A. in interior design will look a lot better on your resume to a prospective employer or client than a home staging license. Second, home staging licenses are not only expensive - they aren't really "licenses" in the strictest sense of the word because they are not mandated by any governing body and you don't need a "license" or "certificate" to work as a home stager. Furthermore, some quick research on the internet revealed that many licensing programs are really just week long seminars where you pay a small bundle for what is essentially a meaningless piece of paper. Third, though home staging might seem like a great career now when there is a housing market slump, the demand for home stagers may decrease a year or five years from now when the market improves. Furthermore as home staging becomes more popular, there will be a lot more competition for clients. Having a bachelors degree will not only give you a leg up on your competition (especially if they only have "licenses"), but if you decide later on to switch careers (and the average person will switch careers several times in their lifetime), a bachelors from an accredited university will be a lot more versatile and valuable than a piece of paper you receive at the end of a week long seminar. As a bonus, you could probably try to find home staging jobs while you are in college, a lot of people are more than happy to pay a talented young interior design student to stage or decorate their homes because young artists tend to be on the cutting edge of new fashion and are willing to work for a lot cheaper than established decoraters/stagers for the work experience and opportunity to build up their portfolio. Best of luck!