Annual Salary
£20,000 to £38,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Arts & crafts or Fashion & textiles or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Arts & crafts or Fashion & textiles or go back to all job sectors
Furniture designers create designs for mass-produced furniture, furniture made in small batches and one-off pieces.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: freelance / self-employed; managing your own hours
There will be
0.5% more Furniture designer jobs in 2027.
In your day-to-day duties 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 start by doing a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Design and Making or a T Level in Craft and Design.
This would teach you some of the skills you'll need and could help you to get a job as a design assistant with a furniture making company.
You may need:
You may be able to get into trainee or assistant designer roles through an advanced apprenticeship like:
You'll usually need:
You'll need to keep a portfolio of work to showcase your design skills to potential employers or customers.
Go to design fairs and exhibitions to keep up to date with current trends in furniture design.
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 get more advice about working in crafts and creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
With experience, you could progress to a more senior design position, or into a specialised area, like ergonomics.
You could also set up your own design consultancy.
You'll need: