Interior design is one of those rare skills that pays you back twice. It helps you make better decisions for your own home, and it can also grow into a genuine career. In the last few years, we have noticed more and more people getting interested in it. At Bird Nest Interiors, many of our clients in Bangalore fall in love with the design process while their own home is being done, and then ask us a simple question: where can I learn interior design properly?
This article is our answer. We looked at online interior design courses that are open to learners in India, checked their official course pages for current prices and formats, and picked five that cover different budgets, schedules and goals. Whether you want to design your own home with more confidence or start working towards a design career, there is something here for you.
If you are new to the subject, it also helps to first read up on the key principles of interior design everyone should know. A little theory makes every course on this list far more useful.
Top 5 Online Interior Design Courses in India: At a Glance
- 1. AND Academy, Interior Design Diploma – Best structured Indian program with live online classes. 6 months, part-time. Rs 73,500 plus GST.
- 2. ASDAV, Professional Interior Design Certification Course – Best career-focused program with software training and a portfolio-ready capstone project. 24 weeks, live online. Rs 50,000.
- 3. NYIAD, Complete Course in Interior Design – Best self-paced international option with personal mentor feedback. Up to 18 months access. $559 to $1,359.
- 4. Udemy, The Complete SketchUp and V-Ray Course for Interior Design – Best budget pick for learning 3D design skills. 8 hours, self-paced. Around Rs 549 during sales.
- 5. The Interior Design Institute, Online Diploma – Best premium self-paced diploma for deep, unhurried learning. 12 to 18 months. Rs 2,49,990, with an instalment plan.
Top 5 Online Interior Design Courses in India
1. AND Academy: Interior Design Diploma (Online, Part-Time)
AND Academy is an Indian design school that runs its interior design programs as live online evening classes, taught by working architects and interior designers. That live format is its biggest strength. You are not just watching recorded videos alone; you attend scheduled sessions, ask questions and learn alongside a batch.
The part-time Interior Design Diploma runs for 6 months and covers 110+ hours of learning. The curriculum covers design foundations along with industry software such as Coohom, AutoCAD and SketchUp, plus newer AI tools for interior design. For those who want to go further, the part-time PG Diploma runs 11 months with 230+ hours and adds placement support.
Key highlights: live online classes with real mentors; software training included in the fee; curriculum built for the Indian market; EMI option available; placement support on the PG Diploma.
Price: Rs 73,500 plus GST for the part-time Diploma. EMI starts from Rs 6,587 per month on a 12-month plan. The part-time PG Diploma is Rs 1,26,000 plus GST.
Duration and format: 6 months, part-time, live online evening classes.
Best suited for: beginners in India who want a structured program with a teacher and a fixed schedule, especially if you are learning alongside a job.
Course link: AND Academy’s interior design courses page
2. ASDAV: Professional Interior Design Certification Course
ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course is a 24-week live online program that takes you from design fundamentals to a finished, portfolio-ready residential project. It covers both residential and commercial interior design, which makes it a solid pick if you are thinking about design as a career rather than just a hobby.
The curriculum is thorough. It starts with design foundations, space planning and AutoCAD, then moves into furniture layouts, site measurements, concept development, colour, lighting and materials. Later modules cover kitchen and bathroom design, electrical and reflected ceiling plans, residential elevations and hand sketching. Everything builds towards a capstone residential project that you can show to clients or employers. Classes are conducted live, sessions are recorded for revision, and the course includes assignments and case studies.
Key highlights: complete journey from fundamentals to a portfolio-ready capstone project; both software (AutoCAD) and hand sketching; live classes with recordings; assignments and real case studies.
Price: Rs 50,000, listed against an original fee of Rs 1,25,000 on the official course page.
Duration and format: 24 weeks, live online with recorded sessions for revision.
Best suited for: learners who want a career-focused program and want to finish with real project work for their portfolio.
Course link: ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course
3. NYIAD: Complete Course in Interior Design
The New York Institute of Art and Design (NYIAD) offers its Complete Course in Interior Design fully online and self-paced. This is the pick for independent learners. There are no fixed class timings. You work through the material at your own speed, and a personal mentor reviews your assignments and gives you feedback, so you are not learning in a vacuum.
The course is organised into six units and most students take around six months to finish, though the institute allows up to 18 months. Because it is an American institute, the certification carries international recognition, which some learners value. Do note the pricing is in US dollars, so factor in the exchange rate when comparing with Indian options.
Key highlights: fully self-paced with up to 18 months access; personal mentor feedback on assignments; international certificate; six structured units.
Price: $559 to $1,359 depending on the program and payment plan, as listed by the institute.
Duration and format: self-paced online, average completion around six months, up to 18 months allowed.
Best suited for: self-motivated learners who want flexible timing and an international credential.
Course link: NYIAD’s Complete Course in Interior Design
4. Udemy: The Complete SketchUp and V-Ray Course for Interior Design
Not everyone needs a full diploma to start. If your goal is to learn the 3D visualisation skills that interior designers use every day, this Udemy course is the most affordable way in. It is a project-led course that teaches SketchUp and V-Ray through real interior projects including bedrooms, modular kitchens and bathrooms, from modelling to final rendering.
The course includes 8 hours of on-demand video plus downloadable resources, and you get lifetime access, so you can revisit lessons whenever you need them. Thousands of students have enrolled, and it suits interior designers, architects, students and construction professionals alike. Pair it with some design theory, like our guide to the key principles of interior design, and you have a strong foundation for very little money.
Key highlights: project-based learning on real room types; lifetime access to 8 hours of video; downloadable resources; very low cost during Udemy sales.
Price: around Rs 549 during Udemy’s frequent India sales. The list price is higher, and prices change with promotions, so check the current offer on the course page.
Duration and format: 8 hours of on-demand video, fully self-paced.
Best suited for: anyone who wants practical 3D software skills on a small budget, or designers who want to add rendering to their toolkit.
Course link: The Complete SketchUp and V-Ray Course for Interior Design on Udemy
5. The Interior Design Institute: Online Diploma
The Interior Design Institute offers a self-paced online diploma aimed at learners who want depth and are happy to take their time. The institute describes it as a 12 to 18-month learning experience, which makes it the longest runway on this list. You study entirely online, at your own pace, with tutor support along the way.
This is the premium option in our list. The official Indian enrolment page lists the diploma at Rs 2,49,990, with a plan that splits it into 48 weekly instalments of Rs 5,208. That is a serious investment, so it makes most sense for learners who are committed to building a thorough foundation and possibly a career, rather than casual learners.
Key highlights: 12 to 18 months of self-paced study; tutor support; weekly instalment plan available; comprehensive diploma-level curriculum.
Price: Rs 2,49,990 total, or 48 weekly instalments of Rs 5,208, as per the official Indian enrolment page.
Duration and format: 12 to 18 months, self-paced online.
Best suited for: committed learners who want a deep, unhurried program and are comfortable with a premium fee.
Course link: The Interior Design Institute’s online interior design course
How to Choose the Right Course for You
All five courses above are good, but they suit different people. Here is how to narrow it down.
Start with your goal. If you want to design your own home better, a shorter or software-focused course plus some reading on design basics may be enough. If you want clients and a career, pick a program with a portfolio project and mentor feedback, and read about the differences between a freelance designer and a design firm so you know what working life looks like.
Pick live or self-paced honestly. Live classes keep you accountable but need fixed hours. Self-paced courses need discipline but fit around a job. Be realistic about which one you will actually finish.
Check what is included. Software training (AutoCAD, SketchUp), mentor feedback and a final portfolio project add a lot of value. A certificate alone, without project work, counts for less.
Compare the real cost. Look at the total fee including GST, and check EMI or instalment options. A Rs 549 Udemy course and a Rs 2,49,990 diploma are not competing with each other; they serve completely different goals.
Remember what a course cannot teach. Working with real clients, sites and budgets is its own education. To see how professional projects actually run, read our interior design process explained step by step and what to expect in your first interior design consultation. And whatever you design, it helps to know the common mistakes in home interior design so you can avoid them from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really learn interior design online?
Yes. Design theory, space planning, colour, materials and software skills all transfer well to online learning. What online courses cannot fully give you is site experience, which is why programs with live mentors, assignments and a capstone project are worth preferring.
Do I need a design or drawing background to join these courses?
No. All five courses on this list accept complete beginners. An interest in homes and spaces matters more than any prior training. Hand sketching is taught from scratch where it is part of the curriculum.
How long does it take to complete an online interior design course?
It ranges widely. Short skill courses take a few weeks, structured diplomas take 6 months, and in-depth programs can run 12 to 18 months. Self-paced courses depend entirely on how many hours you put in each week.
How much do online interior design courses cost in India?
Based on the official course pages we checked, prices range from around Rs 549 for a Udemy course during sales, to Rs 50,000 for ASDAV’s 24-week certification, Rs 73,500 plus GST for AND Academy’s 6-month diploma, and up to Rs 2,49,990 for The Interior Design Institute’s diploma. NYIAD prices in dollars, from $559 to $1,359.
Will an online course get me a job as an interior designer?
A course gives you skills and, in the better programs, portfolio work. Employers and clients hire based on your portfolio far more than your certificate. If a career is your goal, choose a course with mentor feedback and a final project, then keep building real room designs afterwards. If you would rather hire a professional for your own home instead, here is how to choose the right interior designer.
Are online interior design certificates recognised?
Certificates from established institutes are recognised as proof of training, but interior design in India does not have a single licensing body like architecture does. Your portfolio and practical ability matter most.
