Interior Design Intern

Interior Design Intern – Ashley Design Services

Ashley HomeStores | Virtual Interior Design Services

About the Role

Join Ashley's Virtual Interior Design Services team and create stunning, personalized spaces for customers across the country! As an Interior Design Intern, you'll work alongside our Virtual Interior Designers to create 2D/3D floor layouts, renderings, and mood boards for residential projects—bringing clients' visions to life while representing the Ashley brand.

This role offers hands-on experience in custom residential design, client relationship building, space planning, visual presentation, and project management—all while working with America's #1 furniture retailer. You'll gain real-world skills creating beautiful, functional, budget-conscious designs for diverse clients and Ashley's internal sales channels.

What You'll Do

Custom Residential Design
• Create 2D and 3D floor layouts, renderings, and mood boards for client residential projects
• Develop custom space plans for diverse clientele with varying needs, preferences, and budgets
• Design beautiful, functional spaces that balance personalized client requests with Ashley's brand aesthetic
• Apply knowledge of lighting design to capture proper environment and product representation

Visual Concept Development
• Build 2D mood boards to help clients visualize design concepts and spatial arrangements
• Maintain and update mood board template library for consistency and efficiency
• Create renderings and presentations that showcase Ashley products and online exclusive collections

Client & Project Management
• Capture client requests and design within budget and set time limits
• Manage multiple projects at different stages of completion and varying complexity
• Record and communicate project status to team and clients
• Resolve client needs quickly and professionally; understand importance of repeat customers, referrals, and overall experience

Document Review & Production
• Review and implement redline corrections to ensure accuracy and alignment with project specifications
• Prepare and conduct professional meetings and presentations with internal teams and external clients
• Participate in process improvements and resource documentation

Brand & Product Knowledge
• Stay up-to-date on industry style trends and Ashley brand initiatives
• Maintain knowledge of Ashley product offerings, new introductions, and inventory levels
• Understand and apply furniture retail industry knowledge and Ashley's operations to reinforce brand aesthetic

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Establish working relationships with internal cross-functional teams and external clients
• Cross-train and complete new and varied project types
• Shadow teams across Construction/Real Estate, Facility Design, Furniture Design, Market Design, and Visual Merchandising

What You'll Learn

Technical Skills:
• Advanced 2D/3D visualization software proficiency
• Floor planning software expertise
• Mood board creation and client presentation techniques
• Lighting design for residential spaces
• Architectural detail interpretation and construction document understanding
• Time management and deadline-driven project execution

Professional Development:
• Client relationship building – work with real customers on custom residential projects
• Design versatility – adapt to diverse aesthetic preferences and style requirements daily
• Presentation skills – enhance communication through client interactions and project reviews
• Time management proficiency – cultivate organizational skills essential for professional design practice
• Field experience – participate in design site visits and procurement trips

Shadowing Opportunities:
• Construction/Real Estate
• Facility Design
• Furniture Design
• Market Design
• Visual Merchandising

What You Bring

Education:
• Currently pursuing a degree in Interior Design, Interior Decorating, or Interior Architecture

Technical Skills:
• Proficient in 2D/3D visualization software (required)
• Strong floor planning software knowledge (required)
• Canva or similar design software experience (preferred)
• Proven ability to create 2D and 3D design drawings and renderings
• Ability to interpret architectural details and construction document specifications

Design & Communication Skills:
• Strong knowledge of elements and principles of design
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and customer-centric attitude
• Strong attention to detail
• Creative, passionate, and motivated to bring client visions to life

Work Style & Competencies:
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and in team environments
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong adaptability when directions and priorities change on short notice
• Ability to perform under strong demands in fast-paced environment
• Work professionally with customers and coworkers, treating both with enthusiasm and respect

Why Ashley Design Services?

• Real client projects– design custom residential spaces for customers nationwide (not just practice work!)
  • Diverse portfolio building – create 2D/3D layouts, renderings, mood boards for varied clients and budgets
  • Virtual design experience – learn cutting-edge remote interior design service delivery
  • Professional mentorship – work alongside experienced Virtual Interior Designers
  • Client-facing opportunities – conduct meetings and presentations with real customers
  • Cross-functional exposure – shadow Construction, Furniture Design, Visual Merchandising teams
  • #1 furniture retailer – access to Ashley's full product catalog and exclusive online collections
  • Field trips – participate in design site visits and procurement trips
  • Two great locations – choose Arcadia, WI or Ybor, FL

Ashley HomeStores is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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