The Interior Design Program – akan.fi

The Interior Design Program

Academic year 2025-26
New Study Program!

Applicationperiod
The application for the interior design program opens 1 st of February

Apply by 3rd August 2025

Do you want to learn how to plan spaces and the basics of painting, wallpapering, furniture restoration, and interior sewing with associated special techniques?

This program is for those who want to express themselves and learn how to turn an idea into a finished product. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) might become your new motto—we provide you with the knowledge and skills you need for a professional result!

The Interior Design Program is suitable for everyone! You may be a student, interested in a gap year, on a sabbatical, in a transition between jobs, or searching for a new direction in life. No prior knowledge is required—we go through everything from the ground up.

Bathtub in a lovely space
Bathtub in a lovely space

Content

In the training, you will have the opportunity to practice the various aspects and techniques of interior design and understand the nature of the profession, interior styles, and possibilities, as well as develop your sense of color, shape, and overall design.
The Interior Design Program is a preparatory course.

The program includes tasks but no written exams, and it concludes with a larger project. You will plan a complete design and execute it (either individually or as a pair project) using the methods you have learned during your studies.

Goals

  • Dare to take on new challenges, plan & renovate more!
  • Do-It-Yourself (DIY), we provide you with the knowledge you need for a professional result!

Planning 5 credits

  • We will cover different styles, trends, and sustainable development.
  • What makes a space timeless
  • What ages a trend, wow today – forgotten tomorrow
  • We will primarily focus on dry spaces such as entryways, verandas, hallways, bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms, TV rooms, workrooms, guest rooms, etc., but also exterior renovations of toilets, bathrooms, saunas, and kitchens.
  • Study visits
  • Inspiration, reflections
  • Discussions
  • Problem-solving
  • The final project will be presented
  • Planning of your own work or client work

Surface Painting 5 credits

  • Tool knowledge
  • Techniques, shortcuts, tricks
  • Walls, floors, ceilings, moldings, doors, windows
  • Tiles
  • Preparation: filler, putty, sanding, etc.
  • Perfect finishes, shapes, “stop the bleeding”
  • Different types of paints – theory
  • Things to consider (before)
  • Practical exercises
  • Study visit to Tikkurila/Teknos/Colornova

Wallpapering 5 credits

  • Tool knowledge
  • Techniques, tips & tricks
  • Different wallpapers – different approaches
  • The meaning of symbols
  • Preparation: removing old wallpaper, filler, leveling, etc.
  • Things to consider (before)
  • Practical exercises
  • Study visit to K-Rauta

+Special techniques 10 hours

  • Stenciling
  • Textured painting

Furniture Renovation/Restoration 5 credits

  • Reuse, mindset
  • Different surfaces require different approaches
  • Painting, varnishing, waxing, staining
  • Different combinations
  • Tips & tricks
  • Decorations, moldings, wallpaper, decoupage, etc.
  • Replacing fabric/upholstery on an upholstered piece of furniture
  • Things to consider (before)
  • Study visit to a furniture restorer
  • We do not restore valuable, antique family heirlooms!

Interior Sewing 5 credits

Decorative cushions
Decorative cushions
  • Different purposes require different materials
  • Things to consider (before)
  • Measuring and patterns
  • Planning is half the work!
  • Color and form theory
  • Curtains, cushions, covers, details, and smaller projects
  • Practical tasks
  • Study visit to Eurokangas or equivalent
  • Reuse – shirts, sweaters, pants become materials for interior design

From Planning to Finished Whole 8 credits

  • Ongoing work throughout the academic year
  • As a pair project or individual
  • An empty space becomes a complete design
  • The learned skills are applied in practice
  • Client project – the client approves the plan
  • Own project
  • Focus on the overall design, choice of furniture, fixtures, details
  • Case study – peer reviews of each other’s work
  • Presentation of the completed project at the end of the spring term
  • Open house, exhibition for the public!

Course Structure

The program consists of 36 weeks of in-class studies, running from 18th August 2025 to 23rd May 2026.

Full-time studies, 25 hours per week.

Application Period and Individual Interviews

Applications for the Interior Design Program are open from 1st February to 3rd August 2025.

All applicants will be invited to a personal interview after submitting their application (via Zoom or WhatsApp). Visits and interviews at the school are also possible.
Students are admitted in the order applications are received, so apply early to secure your study place!

Contact Information and Additional Details

Program Manager:
Charlotta Åkerstedt
charlotta.akerstedt(at)akan.fi | 040 124 0301

Location:
Borgå folkakademi / Runebergsgatan 16-18 in the center of Porvoo.

Language of Instruction:
The instruction will be given in Swedish, Finnish, and English, as needed.

Tuition Fee:
400 €/month, including teaching, lunch, and afternoon coffee.
Material costs for individual projects are additional. For client projects, the client covers material costs.
(We reserve the right to change prices).

Accommodation:
If you need accommodation, you can stay at the school’s dormitory next to the school.
Cost: 200 €/month for a shared double room and 260 €/month for a single room, including breakfast (Mon-Fri) and dinner (Mon-Thu).

(We reserve the right to change prices).