The 21st Century Green Interior Designer: Eco-Friendly Meets the Artist

As the world becomes increasingly environmentally conscientious, new jobs--green jobs--are being created. Green jobs can found in a wide spectrum of fields, including interior design. Otherwise known as environmental or sustainable interior design, green interior design helps people create beautiful and environmentally friendly spaces in their homes and businesses.

Defining the Job of a Green Interior Designer

Green interior designers improve air quality and reduce waste in homes and businesses. In addition, they must create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and comfortable. As they work, green interior designers must stay mindful of the major elements of residential or commercial structures, including:

• energy efficiency
• water efficiency
• materials + resources needed for renovation or construction
• indoor, and sometimes outdoor, environmental quality

Green interior designers work with people, too. They work with clients, builders, plumbers, electricians, and other related professionals. Sometimes a client's desires create problems that green interior designers must address. For instance, although bamboo flooring is considered by many to be a green renovation, cheaper bamboo flooring is often filled with urea-formaldehyde, a carcinogen that is neither good for people or the environment. Tact and strong communication skills are needed to work out these and other situations in the field.

Can I Find Green Interior Design Schools?

As green innovations continue to spread in society, and in particular, into peoples' homes and businesses, interior design schools are catching on: many are adding adding green design into their curriculum. Even if they do not offer specific degrees in green interior design, some include green elements in their curriculum. For instance, some courses might include instruction on recycling, instead of replacing existing decorating items in the home or business.

If you would like to become a green interior designer, make sure you ask the right questions when you research interior decorating schools. For instance:

• Does your school offer a major or minor in green design?
• How many courses in your curriculum include elements of green design?
• Do you offer a green decorating component to your curriculum?
• Are any of your instructors LEED certified? [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), is the green design/construction industry standard]
• How many of the school's interior design students have participated in the Sustainable Suite Design Competition of the U.S. Green Building Council?

Green Interior Design Professionalism and Job Outlook

In addition to attending interior design schools that include elements of green design, there are other things you can do to prepare for this job. Obtaining the LEED certification for commercial interior decorating and construction indicates a commitment to green design. Some states require interior designers to be state licensed or working toward licensure. This entails passing a national licensing exam and obtaining six years professional experience and education (two of these years must consist of post-secondary education).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 71,700 salaried interior designers in 2008. Although the BLS has no salary statistics for green designers in particular, they cited that in 2009, interior designers earned a median salary of $51,990.