Swap to Arts & crafts or Fashion & textiles or go back to all job sectors
Furniture designers use their creative skills to develop products from cabinets, beds and chairs through to one-off pieces for clients.
You could work: freelance / self-employed; managing your own hours
As a furniture designer, you could:
You could work in a creative studio, from home or in a workshop.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course in furniture design or furniture making, or a T Level in Craft and Design.
Courses like these would teach you some of the skills you'll need and could help you to get a job as a design assistant or trainee with a furniture making company.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You may be able to apply for a place on a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:
These can take around 2 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
You'll need to create a portfolio of work to showcase your design skills to potential employers or customers.
You can go to design fairs and exhibitions to keep up to date with current trends in furniture design.
You can also follow organisations and designers that interest you on social media and through online design and craft forums.
You could join the Chartered Society of Designers to get access to professional development training, technical advice and information about setting up your own business.
You can learn more about a career in furniture design from My Furniture Career.
With experience, you could become a senior designer with a company, or specialise in a particular area, like ergonomics or bespoke designs.
You could also set up your own design consultancy.