Course Outline

Take a closer look at the course outline
to see exactly how comprehensive our course is.


We understand that different people learn at different speeds and that every one of our students has their own unique set of personal responsibilities. We also understand that some students will need more time on a particular subject while others will breeze right through it. That's why we've designed our course to be completely flexible and to work with anyone's schedule.

You will complete 10 assignments that together will give you actual experience dealing with real-world interior design projects. These assignments can be completed at any time. Some students put themselves on the fast track and have their entire course completed in less than 6 months. Others take their time and use the full 3 years. Whatever your needs are, our course is sensitive to them.

Our programme is designed in such a way that each module builds upon the module before it. The 4 textbooks outlined below, when paired with the feedback and guidance you'll receive from your personal tutor, will give you everything you need to build a successful career in interior design.

The Basics

Book One

A vital introduction to the world of interior design, the first book in the Interior Design Academy of Ireland Diploma Course covers the many components that will form the base of your instruction.

  • Introduction to Interior Design
  • The Structure of Design
  • Building and Decorating
  • Lighting
  • Colour Wheel
  • Paint
  • Fabric
  • Wallpapering
  • Flooring
  • Furniture
  • Window Treatments

The Practicalities

Book Two

The second book in the IDAI Diploma Course gives you all the practical information you'll need to design and decorate on a room-by-room basis. This section covers everything from kitchen design to selecting and caring for antiques.

  • Kitchen Design
  • Entrance Halls
  • Stairs and Landings
  • Bedrooms and Bathrooms
  • Room-by-Room Checklists
  • Conservatories and Patios
  • Accessories and Collections
  • Antiques - Selection and Care
  • Design and Decoration of Specific Rooms
  • Providing the Correct Environment
  • Caring for Damaged Furniture

The History

Book Three

The third book of the IDAI Diploma Course gives you a comprehensive overview of the history of interior design. It covers the fascinating details of the homes and interiors designed centuries ago and shows how they have influenced they way we live and design. From ancient Egypt to the contemporary interiors and styles of today, this section meanders the globe to cover international design history and to provide an excellent reference point for all elements of interior design.

  • Ancient Egypt
  • Classical Greece
  • Rome
  • Byzantium
  • The Middle Ages
  • Romanesque (5th to 11th Century)
  • Gothic (11th to 16th Centuries)
  • Interiors of The Renaissance
  • European Regional Styles
  • 19th and 20th Centuries up to 1930
  • 1930 to Present day

The Presentation

Book Four

The fourth and final book of the IDAI Diploma Course covers the practical side of the business. No matter how good your technical skills are, they won't be put to good use if you don't know how to communicate with clients. You'll learn how to assess your clients' wishes and needs, how to make effective presentations to them, how to prepare furniture layouts and colour boards, how to read a set of house plans, and much more.

  • Drawing Materials
  • Lettering
  • How to Draw a Floor Plan
  • Elevations
  • Collecting Samples
  • Assessing a Client
  • Colour Boards
  • Presentations
  • Systematic Planning
  • Unusual Design Elements
  • Preparing Specifications

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