Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Color Consultant

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: A color consultant assists clients in selecting the right colors for their homes, including paints and fabrics for curtains, wall hangings and upholstery.

Education: None necessary, but a background in art and art history is helpful.

Skills: The ability to work with clients in their homes and to choose colors that compliment the homeowner and the space.

Job outlook: People are turning to professionals more and more for help in creating a warm and inviting home. I see this as a growing home-based business, especially in more urban and populated areas.

Possible employers: Many color consultants work out of local paint stores, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams.

Preparation: Brush up on what’s new in home décor and color theory by taking a class at a local college or paint store. Read recent articles from home décor magazines on the topic. Invest in color swatches.

Get your foot in the door: Visit your local paint shop and talk to the owner about consulting for the store. Offer an initial discount to the first few clients and build your customer base from there.

Testimony: “I think color is a way that I can actually help people create homes, not just houses. It’s so important to create a welcoming, warm and personal feel to a home—in order to really embrace our calling to hospitality,” says Rebecca, a mother of three who has worked as a color consultant for three years from Fairfax, Va. Her favorite part of the job is helping clients discover the perfect color for their homes. “I love to see their eyes light up when we find the right color, and I love to help them feel more at home with their house,” she says.

Until next time,

Sarah