Home Furnishings Minor

The Home Furnishings minor offers students who are interested in the home textile, furnishings and housewares sectors the opportunity to expand their knowledge and diversify their skill set. Throughout the course offerings, students will be exposed to both textile and non-textile aspects of the home industry and its careers, gaining valuable insights into the historical reference, product categories, brand strategies, merchandising techniques, retailers and product management.

This minor is open to all students with the exception of students enrolled in the Home Products Development, BS program. The following requirements below are intended for students declared after fall 2026. To declare your minor, please speak to your academic advisor for assistance.

Minor Coordinator:
Shelley E. Kohan
shelley_kohan@fitnyc.edu 

The successful completion of at least five (5) courses are required to earn the minor (below).

Completion of the Following Two (2) Required Courses
HP 201	Introduction to Home Products	3
HP 231	Vintage Visions: Diverse Styles of the American Home (1900–Now)	3
Choose Three (3) Elective Choice Options
CT 200	Content Design and Research	2
DD 115	Design Management Collaboration	2
FM 144	Product Knowledge for Merchandising	3
HA 220	History of Interior Design: The Modern Interior as Space and Image	3
ID 103	Interior Design Merchandising	2
MG 108	Apparel and Home Textile Products Manufacturing	2
TS 230	Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Industry	2

*Semesterly course offerings are subject to change.  

Upon completion of the Home Furnishings minor, students will be able to:

1. Recall industry-specific terminology and attributes associated with the home furnishing industry to facilitate effective communication and analysis.
2. Demonstrate comprehension of development and merchandising processes for various product categories within the home furnishings industry, facilitating informed decision-making and strategy development.
3. Apply knowledge to identify major wholesale markets for home products, analyzing their significance in distribution channels and market dynamics.
4. Analyze quality considerations in product development by integrating knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and consumer expectations to ensure product excellence.
5. Evaluate cultural and industry resources for home product research and development, discerning trends, historical influences, and consumer preferences effectively.
6. Synthesize historical, cultural, and business perspectives influencing home product development to foster a deeper understanding of design evolution and consumer behavior within the industry.