Diploma in Soft Furnishing
The Diploma in Soft Furnishing is a TVET-CDACC examined programme that trains professionals in interior soft furnishings design and production. The course covers interior design principles, drawing and painting, construction and sewing techniques, craft and embroidery, fabric decoration, interior decoration, and portfolio building across progressive modules.
Students develop competencies in curtain and drapery making, upholstery, cushion and accessory creation, textile selection, colour theory, and interior decoration. The programme combines creative design skills with practical production techniques for soft furnishing products.
Kenya's growing interior design market, real estate development, and hospitality sector expansion have created demand for soft furnishing professionals. Interior design firms, furniture manufacturers, hotels, and real estate developers require skilled soft furnishing specialists for curtains, upholstery, and interior decoration.
The programme combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals in sewing, upholstery, curtain making, and fabric decoration. Students create soft furnishing products, develop design portfolios, and practice interior decoration techniques. An industrial attachment provides hands-on industry experience.
Graduates work as soft furnishing designers, interior decoration assistants, upholstery technicians, and curtain making specialists. Many establish their own soft furnishing businesses serving residential and commercial clients.
This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of D (plain) or above who have creative aptitude and interest in interior design and textile decoration.
- Duration
- 3 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 80,000
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 30 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
6 subjects- Research Methods
- Communication Skills
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Statistics
Modules
10 in the programmeSoft Furnishing Theory I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of soft furnishing, interior textile applications, and theoretical foundations of furnishing and decoration techniques.
Soft Furnishing Practical I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Practical training in curtain making, cushion production, basic upholstery, and soft furnishing construction in workshop settings.
Textile Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of furnishing fabrics and materials, including fibre types, durability, care requirements, and selection criteria for interiors.
Design and Colour Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Colour theory, colour schemes, design principles, and aesthetic considerations for interior decoration and soft furnishing projects.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business communication, client consultation, and professional presentation skills for soft furnishing and interior design services.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Digital design tools, computer-aided interior visualisation, and business software for soft furnishing enterprise management.
Soft Furnishing Practical II
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Advanced upholstery techniques, window treatment installation, and complex soft furnishing construction for interior projects.
Interior Decoration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Interior styling, decoration techniques, space planning, and aesthetic coordination of soft furnishings within interior spaces.
Soft Furnishing Practical III
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Complex furnishing project execution, bespoke item creation, custom design, and production of specialised soft furnishing pieces.
Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 12 creditsCore
Business management for furnishing enterprises, including pricing, customer service, marketing, and operations of furnishing businesses.
Specialisations
Curtain and Drapery Making
Design, construction, and installation of curtains, drapes, and window treatments for interior spaces, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Upholstery
Restoration and creation of upholstered furniture including sofas, chairs, and decorative seating, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Interior Decoration
Application of colour theory, fabric selection, and decorative accessories in interior design projects, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Bedding and Linen
Focus on bed linen production, pillow making, quilt construction, and soft furnishing for bedrooms within Kenyan interior furnishing and hospitality sectors.
A day as a student
Students attend morning theory classes and spend afternoons in practical sessions, workshops, or laboratory work applying concepts learned in class.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Creative and practical skills enable self-employment through soft furnishing and interior decoration businesses.
- Growing real estate and hospitality sectors create demand for interior soft furnishing services.
Against it
- Niche market with limited formal employment opportunities compared to broader design fields.
- Income may be irregular when self-employed, depending on client acquisition and project flow.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET 67K/yr pub. ICS 80K/yr priv Interior Design (ics.ac.ke).
Students can access HELB TVET loans, county government bursaries, and NG-CDF bursaries to support their studies.
Funding options
HELB loan
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed or accredited diploma programmes at recognised TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency Development Fund bursaries for needy students from the respective constituency.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- D
- Alternative entry
- Certificate in Soft Furnishing from an accredited TVET institution.
English or Kiswahili
Mathematics
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester CATs covering theory and practical components.
KNEC Module Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
National examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment report and employer assessment.
Accreditation
Programmes accredited by TVETA and examined by KNEC, NITA, or CDACC in Kenya.
Accredited by
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering this diploma programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination bodyRequired
Administers national examinations for the diploma programme at each module level.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSoft Furnishing Designer
Medium demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 48,000
Designs and produces soft furnishings including curtains, cushions, and decorative accessories for interior spaces.
Upholstery Technician
Medium demandKsh 23,000 to Ksh 45,000
Restores and creates upholstered furniture including sofas, chairs, and headboards for residential and commercial clients.
Interior Decoration Assistant
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 48,000
Assists interior designers with soft furnishing selection, installation, and decoration for interior projects.
Curtain Making Specialist
Medium demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 42,000
Designs, measures, and installs curtains, drapes, and window treatments for homes and commercial spaces.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates of the Soft Furnishing programme work in relevant industries across Kenya, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Crane OperatorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Electrical Contractor (Small Business)Trades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Generator & Diesel MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Upholstery Tools
Furnishing equipmentPrimary
Tools for upholstery work including staple guns and tack hammers
Pattern Making Tools
Design tools
Tools for creating patterns for curtains, cushions, and soft furnishings
Fabric Cutting Equipment
Furnishing equipment
Rotary cutters and cutting tables for fabric preparation
Sewing Machine
Garment equipmentPrimary
Industrial sewing machine for soft furnishing production
Certifications
Industry links
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Soft Furnishing are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.