Furniture designer
Also known as: furniture designer and planner, furniture planner and designer, furniture design advisor, interior and furniture designer, furniture builder, interior & furniture designer
About this occupation
Furniture designers work on items of furniture and related products. They design the product and are involved in its production as craftsmen and designers or makers. The conception of furniture combines innovative design, functional requirements and aesthetic appeal.
A specialisation of industrial designer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- consult with design team
- attend design meetings
- gather reference materials for artwork
- design original furniture
- transfer designs
- monitor textile manufacturing developments
- develop design concept
- monitor art scene developments
- art history
- monitor exhibition designs
- adapt to new design materials
- monitor sociological trends
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Commercial and Industrial Designers (O*NET 27-1021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
- Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
- Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
- Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
- Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
- Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Realistic, Investigative
Top skills: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Operations Analysis
US median pay: US$83,910 a year (2025), 33,490 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignExtremely important (4.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyExtremely important (4.7)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.6)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Mechanical Drafters
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
- Fashion Designers
- Industrial Engineers
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Materials Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.