Interior Decorator Jobs in Atlanta: How to Get Hired, Where to Look, and What to Expect

Atlanta’s booming housing market, constant new construction, and vibrant design scene make it a strong place to build a career in interior decorating. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to move into a new design role, understanding how interior decorator jobs in Atlanta work can help you aim your search and build the right skills.

Interior Decorator vs. Interior Designer in Atlanta

These terms are often used interchangeably in job ads, but they’re not exactly the same:

Interior Decorator (commonly in job postings as “Decorator,” “Interior Stylist,” “Design Consultant”)

• Focuses on aesthetics: furniture, color schemes, fabrics, art, accessories
• Typically works with existing layouts and structures
• Often hired for home staging, model homes, residential updates, and small business refreshes
• No specific state license is required in Georgia

Interior Designer (Residential or Commercial)

• May be involved with space planning, layouts, materials, and coordination with contractors
• Often needs formal education and, in some roles, may need to work under or with a registered interior designer or architect
• Commonly works on larger projects: offices, multifamily buildings, hospitality, healthcare, etc.

In Atlanta, employers sometimes say “interior designer” when they mostly want a decorator or design consultant, especially in furniture showrooms or home staging companies. Read job descriptions closely to see:

• Are they focused on color, furniture, and styling? → more like a decorator role
• Are they asking for CAD/Revit/technical drawings and construction documents? → more like a designer role

Common Types of Interior Decorator Jobs in Atlanta

You’ll see several recurring categories of roles across the metro area:

1. Retail Showroom & Furniture Store Roles

Many Atlanta decorators get their start in furniture and home decor showrooms, especially around:

• Buckhead (high-end furniture and design showrooms)
• West Midtown / Westside Provisions District (design-forward shops and studios)
• Perimeter, Alpharetta, Kennesaw, and Gwinnett (large furniture chains and regional stores)

Typical titles:

• Design Consultant / Interior Decorator
• In-Home Design Specialist
• Showroom Stylist / Visual Merchandiser

What you’ll do:

• Help customers choose furniture, rugs, art, and accessories
• Build room schemes and mood boards
• Sometimes visit clients’ homes for measurements and layout ideas
• Work toward sales goals or commissions

These jobs are a good entry point if you:

• Have strong people skills
• Enjoy sales and customer service
• Want hands-on practice putting rooms together

2. Home Staging and Real Estate–Focused Decorating

Given Atlanta’s active real estate market, there is steady demand for home staging decorators who prepare homes and condos for sale.

Common employers:

• Home staging companies serving metro-wide (City of Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Smyrna, Marietta, etc.)
• Real estate teams that offer in-house staging services
• Independent stagers who partner with local REALTORS®, investors, and flippers

What you might do:

• Select furniture and accessories for vacant or occupied homes
• Create a cohesive look that photographs well for MLS listings and marketing
• Coordinate delivery, installation, and removal of staging inventory
• Work on tight timelines influenced by listing dates and open houses

These jobs can be fast-paced and physically demanding (moving pieces around, styling on-site) but are very relevant if you love:

• Before-and-after transformations
• Current real estate trends in areas like Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Midtown, and West Midtown

3. Residential Decorating Studios & Boutiques

Atlanta has many small and mid-sized residential design firms and solo decorators. Job titles may include:

• Interior Decorator / Assistant Decorator
• Junior Designer
• Design Assistant
• Stylist

Duties can range widely:

• Sourcing furniture, fabrics, and finishes from Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) and other trade-only showrooms
• Creating presentations and mood boards
• Ordering, tracking, and installing decor items
• Assisting on photo shoots and styling days
• Managing sample libraries and vendor relationships

These roles tend to be more design-focused and less retail-driven, and can be ideal if you:

• Are building a portfolio
• Enjoy working closely with a principal decorator or designer
• Want to learn the behind-the-scenes side of custom projects around neighborhoods like Morningside, Virginia-Highland, Brookhaven, and East Cobb

4. Commercial & Multifamily Decorating Roles

While commercial interior design is more technical, there are still decorator-style responsibilities in:

• Multifamily / apartment communities (model units and clubhouses)
• Leasing offices and co-working spaces
• Boutique hotels and short-term rental properties

Possible titles:

• Model Home Stylist / Model Merchandiser
• Design Coordinator
• FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) Coordinator

You may:

• Help select and install furnishings, art, and decor
• Refresh spaces based on property branding
• Collaborate with property management teams around metro Atlanta, including Downtown, Midtown, West Midtown, and BeltLine-adjacent areas

5. Freelance & Self-Employed Interior Decorators

Many Atlanta decorators eventually move into freelance or self-employed work serving:

• Homeowners in the City of Atlanta and suburbs like Decatur, Roswell, Smyrna, and Peachtree Corners
• Short-term rental owners (Airbnb/VRBO) enhancing properties near the BeltLine, Downtown, and near major attractions
• Small businesses needing decor help (salons, boutiques, cafes, small offices)

You might offer:

• Color consultations
• Room refresh packages
• Virtual decorating services for clients in and beyond Atlanta
• Hourly in-home styling sessions

Self-employment gives flexibility, but you’ll need to handle:

• Marketing and social media
• Contracts and invoices
• Sales tax registration (through the Georgia Department of Revenue)
• Business licensing if required by your locality (for example, via the City of Atlanta Office of Revenue, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303)

Where to Find Interior Decorator Jobs in Atlanta

1. Online Job Boards and Local Filters

Use common job sites and set filters for:

• Location: Atlanta, GA (consider widening radius to nearby suburbs)
• Keywords:
  • “Interior decorator”
  • “Interior design assistant”
  • “Design consultant”
  • “Home stager”
  • “Model home merchandiser”
  • “Visual merchandiser” (for decor-focused retail)

Search by neighborhood or sub-market as well:

• Buckhead, Midtown, West Midtown, Downtown – showrooms and design firms
• Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Marietta, Kennesaw, Gwinnett – furniture chains, home decor stores, staging warehouses

2. Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) & Trade Showrooms

Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) is a major hub for the Southeast design community:

• Address: 351 Peachtree Hills Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
• Located in the Peachtree Hills area of Buckhead

ADAC itself and many of its showrooms periodically hire:

• Showroom assistants
• Design liaisons
• Sample library staff

Even if there are no open postings, walking through ADAC events and open houses can help you:

• Meet interior designers and decorators
• Learn which firms are busy and growing
• Understand which styles and vendors Atlanta clients prefer

Check ADAC’s public event calendars and use them as networking opportunities, not just job hunts.

3. Local Design Firms, Stagers, and Boutique Studios

Many smaller businesses do not heavily advertise on big job boards. Try:

• Visiting design firm websites and looking for “Careers” or “Join Our Team” pages
• Following Atlanta-based decorators and stagers on Instagram and LinkedIn
• Sending a short, polite email with your resume and portfolio link asking if they ever consider interns, assistants, or part-time help

Focus especially on firms clustered in:

• West Midtown (design warehouses, creative studios)
• Chamblee / Peachtree Boulevard corridor (design and furniture businesses)
• Decatur and Inman Park (boutique studios and creative offices)

4. Real Estate and Property Management Companies

Because so much decorating work supports real estate marketing, look at:

• Apartment management companies (for model unit styling roles)
• Large real estate teams that include staging services
• New home builders that need decorated model homes around metro Atlanta

Search for terms like:

• “Model home merchandiser”
• “Staging coordinator”
• “Design coordinator”
• “Marketing and staging assistant”

These positions may appear on company career pages for:

• Multifamily property groups headquartered in Atlanta
• Regional and national builders with subdivisions in Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb counties

5. Networking & Local Organizations

Face-to-face connections are particularly valuable in Atlanta’s tight-knit design community.

Key organizations and hubs include:

• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Georgia Chapter

  • Based in metro Atlanta; often hosts design events, panels, and networking nights
  • Open to students and allied professionals, not just licensed designers

• Local Colleges and Universities

  • Schools like Georgia State University, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta, and the Art Institute of Atlanta (when programs are active) may host career fairs and design events where local firms recruit
  • Even if you are not a student, public events can be good networking opportunities

• Community Events and Markets

  • Atlanta design-focused events, pop-up markets, and home shows often feature decorators and makers. These can be places to:
    • Hand out your card
    • Offer assisting on a project
    • Learn what types of decorating services people are asking for locally

Typical Requirements for Interior Decorator Jobs in Atlanta

Education & Training

For pure decorating roles, many Atlanta employers look for one or more of:

• An associate or bachelor’s degree in interior design, interior decorating, or a related field
• A certificate from a reputable interior decorating or design program
• A strong portfolio of real or self-initiated projects

However, entry-level retail and showroom roles may hire based on:

• Demonstrated taste and style sense
• Customer service experience
• Willingness to train on products and basic design principles

For more design-heavy roles, additional education from programs in or near Atlanta can help, such as:

• Interior design/decor-related programs from local colleges and technical schools

(Always confirm current program availability and accreditation directly with each school.)

Skills Atlanta Employers Commonly Seek

Across job postings in the metro area, you’ll frequently see requests for:

• Space planning and furniture layout (even if just by hand or using basic software)
• Strong color and material coordination
• Comfort with measuring rooms and reading simple floor plans
• Ability to put together mood boards or presentations
• Knowledge of popular Atlanta design styles (modern, transitional, farmhouse, urban loft, etc.)
• Client communication and sales skills
• Basic computer and software proficiency, often including:
  • Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
  • Design tools like SketchUp, Photoshop, or Canva (even basic-level)

Experience & Portfolio

Most Atlanta employers want to see your work, even if you’re just starting out. If you don’t have paid experience yet, you can:

• Decorate a few rooms in your own home or a friend’s home and photograph them
• Offer low-cost or volunteer help to:
  • Local community centers
  • Small offices or boutiques
  • Local nonprofits needing a refreshed space
• Restyle a room multiple ways to show versatility

Gather your best images into:

• A simple online portfolio (website or single PDF)
• A printed lookbook you can bring to interviews or showroom visits

What Interior Decorator Pay Looks Like in Atlanta

Exact pay varies widely by:

• Type of employer (retail, independent firm, commercial, self-employed)
• Your experience and role
• Whether the job includes commissions or is strictly hourly/salaried

In Atlanta, you may see:

• Retail design consultants: hourly base + commission or bonuses
• Design assistants / junior decorators at firms: salary or hourly pay, often full-time
• Home stagers and freelancers: project-based or room-based fees, sometimes part-time or contract roles

When you interview, ask clearly:

• Is this hourly, salary, commission, or a mix?
• What is the typical range for someone starting in this role?
• Are there benefits (health insurance, PTO, 401(k)) or is it a 1099 contractor position?

Practical Steps to Break Into Interior Decorating in Atlanta

Here’s a simple roadmap tailored to the Atlanta market:

Step 1: Build Basic Skills and a Starter Portfolio

• Learn core decorating concepts: balance, proportion, color harmony, lighting, and style mixing
• Practice on your own space or willing friends/family in different Atlanta-style homes (condos, bungalows, townhomes)
• Take clear, well-lit before-and-after photos
• Group your best 8–15 images into a portfolio labeled with simple descriptions

Step 2: Learn the Local Market

Spend time exploring:

• Showrooms in Buckhead, West Midtown, and ADAC
• Furniture stores across suburbs like Alpharetta, Marietta, and Duluth
• Open houses in neighborhoods like Grant Park, Kirkwood, West End, and Brookhaven to see what staging looks like in your price bracket of interest

Notice:

• Which styles seem most in demand
• What type of furnishings and colors are common in different parts of the city
• How decorators and stagers are styling for photos vs in-person showings

Step 3: Target Entry-Level Opportunities

Apply for roles such as:

• Design consultant at a furniture store
• Showroom stylist or assistant at a decor retailer
• Design assistant or intern at a small decor studio or staging company

Tailor your resume to highlight:

• Customer service or sales experience
• Visual or creative projects (art, photography, fashion, set design)
• Any Atlanta-specific knowledge: neighborhoods, typical home sizes, local preferences

Step 4: Network Strategically

• Attend ASID Georgia events that are open to the public or students
• Visit ADAC open houses and designer talks when possible
• Introduce yourself to decorators and stagers who are active in the city and follow up professionally
• Join local online groups or forums related to Atlanta interiors, real estate, or small business

A simple, respectful introduction or follow-up email can go a long way when done consistently.

Step 5: Grow Into Higher-Level or Independent Roles

As you gain experience:

• Ask for more responsibility: client presentations, space planning, project management
• Update your portfolio regularly with Atlanta projects
• Consider gradually taking on your own clients on evenings or weekends if it doesn’t conflict with your job
• Explore forming an LLC and registering your business with:
  • Georgia Secretary of State – Corporations Division
  • Local city or county business licensing office (for example, the City of Atlanta Office of Revenue)

Sample Pathways for Different Starting Points

Key Atlanta-Specific Tips for Job Seekers

• Know the traffic and geography. Many roles require site visits around the metro area. Be ready to travel between intown neighborhoods and suburbs like Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Tucker.
• Understand HOA and condo realities. Decorating condos in Midtown or Buckhead often involves building rules, elevator bookings, and specific restrictions. Employers appreciate decorators who grasp these Atlanta condo norms.
• Stay on top of trends near the BeltLine. Areas like Old Fourth Ward, Reynoldstown, and West End often showcase styles that spread across the city—industrial loft looks, modern urban, and eclectic mixes.
• Be comfortable with diverse housing stock. From historic homes in Grant Park to new builds in South Fulton, clients’ expectations and budgets can vary significantly within a short drive.

Interior decorator jobs in Atlanta range from entry-level showroom roles to highly customized residential and commercial positions, with many opportunities to grow into your own business. By understanding how the local market works, building a strong portfolio, and connecting with the city’s design community, you can position yourself for real, sustainable work in Atlanta’s decorating scene.