Good furniture design is a meld of stylish aesthetics, safe functionality and practical comfort. A furniture designer visualizes and sketches a furniture concept, researches its market viability and oversees its production. To become a furniture designer, it is necessary to be creative, articulate, self-disciplined and in touch with current design trends. Furniture designers must be proficient in sketching and 3D modeling, and must have a good grasp of furniture making techniques and furniture production technology. Business, marketing and project management skills will also prove useful in this profession.

A solid educational background is essential to become a furniture designer. It broadens the horizon, and a bachelor's or master's degree can give you a boost up the career ladder. There are many design arts or industrial design colleges offering specializations in furniture-making, furniture design and furniture technology, and the courses may cover both the theoretical and practical aspects of furniture design and construction. Students can expect to learn about color theory, design theory, furniture history, furniture materials and furniture making techniques, upholstery materials and techniques, computer-aided design (CAD), and much more. It is a good idea to augment your education with courses in business, finance and communication.