If you've been trying to choose between interior design and decorating schools, you want to make sure you know what to expect--especially from an interior design program. Though decorating is definitely a fundamental part of the aesthetics involved in interior design, you'll learn a lot more than just decorating while enrolled in an interior design program. Like what? These five things might just surprise you.

1. You can learn history. A lot of it.

While enrolled in interior design school, you'll most likely be required to take a few history courses and a few of your other courses may incorporate history. History of what? Well, most schools teach the history of design so that students learn to identify the main characteristics and motifs of interiors, spanning from the earliest structures we know of, right up until modern times. They typically throw in at least a thing or two about the most influential designers. You might also learn the history of architecture, the history of furniture, history of sustainable design, and art history.

2. You'll most likely have a math class. Or two.

Most interior design degree programs have a math component. In addition to satisfying most school's core curriculum requirements, math is critical to your career as an interior designer because you'll be working with measurements, money, building plans, and probability. Some schools have a math course specifically for future designers that teach symmetry, theories of proportion, informal geometry, three-dimensional geometry, and projective geometry.

3. You can get a global tour, right from the classroom.

Many traditional, transitional, and modern styles have varied global influence. For example, the simplicity of Japanese design impacted modern design, particularly the Art Nouveau movement. As a designer, you need to know how styles from other cultures have influenced contemporary designers and how you can borrow elements from other styles to incorporate them into your own designs.

4. You might gain a new appreciation for the environment.

Many interior design and decorating schools are adding courses in sustainable design. Sustainable design--also called green design--teaches you how to create healthy environments that minimize long-term impacts on the planet. Some schools even include an introduction to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

5. You'll probably learn all about contract documents.

What are contract documents? They are construction documents--such as drawings, models, and specifications--that you'll need for residential and commercial interior design projects. What will you be doing with them? You can learn how they are made and organized and the best ways to manage them. Most schools include instruction on computer applications specific to these documents, including Computer Aided Drafting Design (CADD) programs.

No Matter Where You Learn, You Should Learn a Lot

Though people tend to think of the aesthetic elements when they think of interior design, there's a lot more to it than picking out the color of paint. Whether you choose a campus or an online interior design program, you'll be learning quite a few--at least five--things that you probably didn't expect to.