Too often, prospective students only consider the large and famous schools when thinking of the best. This, however, isn’t always the case, as the programs at many of the smaller schools are just as strong, if not more so, than interior design programs at the larger schools. And, there is the additional benefit of having smaller classes, which give the students more opportunities to have one-to-one attention from the relevant faculty and direct communication with their instructors. Additionally, even though some students enjoy the livelier environment that larger schools may have, many students work best in more close-knit communities at the smaller schools.

As you will be living at your school of choice for a rather long time, definitely consider the location of the school. Consider whether you prefer a quiet, rural neighborhood or a busier urban area. For many, a simple change of setting is just what is needed for a new burst of inspiration. Living farther away from where you grew up gives can broaden your horizons and expand your perspective, truly a valuable and life-changing experience. Many students, however, may find that the emotional support and comfort of friends and family positively influence their success, especially in competitive schools.

The quality of the interior design school’s academic programs is of course very important as well. Consider your specific talents and interests in the field of interior design, and then compare them to the best schools you are choosing between. Browse the faculty’s teaching credentials and portfolios. And, look for famous and successful animators amongst the school’s alumni to get an idea of the relative strengths.

Extracurricular activities, athletics, and other non-academic aspects are also useful to think about when choosing an interior design school. Students who are active in community service may want to participate in school and give back to the nearby neighborhoods. Students who are enjoy athletics can choose schools that are active in sports.

The costs of the interior design program and other academic fees are other key factors you will want to consider. Prepare to apply for grants, scholarships, or work-study programs as soon as you are able to. Remember that a more costly interior design school can work for those who have the means, but there are many less costly interior design schools that provide the same, or even higher, level of education!

Finally, choosing an interior design school is a very personal process – what really determines the best schools varies from student to student.

You’ve moved into a new space or you simply just want to update a room in your home, you’re probably wondering what the current different interior design trends are. Here’s a basic guide to the trendiest decor styles of 2012 for every room in your home, from the bedroom to the bathroom, the kitchen to the living room and everything in between.

Bedroom Designs

Bedroom designs in 2012 will be returning to clean, crisp lines and details. The style will be purely contemporary, as people are looking to de-stress from the recent economy issues and thus, they’ll want to create bedroom designs that are spa-like. Spaces that you can retreat into after a long, hard day.

Be on the look out for clean, soft hues including cool blues, soft grays and creamy ivory whites, giving a soft and comfortable look with clean lines that compliment a comfortable, restful space.

Bathroom Designs

There are actually a number of different bathroom designs that are growing in popularity in 2012. This includes Moroccan inspired tile, natural or reclaimed materials, clean colors and unusual but organic looking fixtures. Of course, it doesn’t end there. With bathroom designs, the opportunities are endless as more and more people are breaking away from the “what if I sell the house” mentality and looking more toward the “I want to enjoy my home” mentality.

For 2012, the best thing you can do for your bathroom space is to create a space that you love, rather than what might sell the best.

Living Room Designs

The living room is all about comfort and style blended together for a unique look. People are learning that they don’t have to settle on a single interior design style, but that they can mix and match a number of styles and accept that no space is ever “perfect,” despite what they may have been told previously.

For living room designs, don’t be surprised to see a large surge of Moroccan inspired looks, global inspired looks, mid century modern, eclectic looks, vintage pieces, Americana and more.

Kitchen Designs

The kitchen is now the hub of the home, so it’s no surprise that most people will be putting the majority of their focus into this space. When looking to create an updated kitchen design, you’ll notice that much like with the bathroom and other spaces in the home, people are starting to become more comfortable with the “here and now” and less focused on the “what happens when I sell my home?”

Kitchen designs will include rustic and industrial touches, as well as clean, contemporary touches for a blend of updated and vintage styling. For materials, look for a lot of clean, contemporary materials over traditional and natural finishes. For example, stainless steel countertops are being preferred over natural stone countertops.

Other kitchen interior design trends include open shelving, stylish and colorful tile backsplashes such as mosaic tiles or Moroccan inspired tiles, dark warm cabinetry and of course, plenty of proper lighting.