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An interior designer is a professional who plans, researches, and coordinates interior spaces to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. Interior designers work with clients to create spaces that reflect their lifestyle, preferences, and needs. Interior design differs from staging in that it creates permanent living environments rather than temporary marketing presentations.

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What This Section Covers

Types of Services

Full-service design, consultation, e-design, and specialty services

The Design Process

What happens from initial meeting to completed project

Costs and Fees

How designers charge and what to expect

Comparing Designers

Questions to ask and what to look for

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What Interior Designers Do

Designers analyze how spaces will be used and create functional layouts:
  • Traffic flow patterns
  • Furniture placement
  • Room function and zones
  • Storage solutions
  • Accessibility considerations
Designers create cohesive visual environments:
  • Color palettes
  • Material and finish selection
  • Furniture and furnishing selection
  • Lighting design
  • Artwork and accessories
  • Window treatments
Designers manage the implementation process:
  • Contractor coordination
  • Vendor management
  • Ordering and procurement
  • Delivery scheduling
  • Installation oversight
  • Quality control
Designers bring professional knowledge:
  • Building codes and regulations
  • Material specifications
  • Construction methods
  • Sustainability considerations
  • Universal design principles

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Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator

  • May hold professional certifications or licenses
  • Often has formal education in design
  • Can work with architectural elements
  • May modify floor plans and structures
  • Understands building codes
  • Coordinates with contractors and architects
  • Handles complex renovations
  • Focuses on furnishings and aesthetics
  • Works with existing spaces
  • Selects furniture, fabrics, colors, accessories
  • Does not modify structural elements
  • Typically less formal training required
  • Often lower cost than designers
Choose an interior designer for:
  • Renovations involving layout changes
  • New construction
  • Complex projects requiring permits
  • Projects involving contractors
Choose an interior decorator for:
  • Furnishing existing spaces
  • Refreshing decor and style
  • Color and fabric selection
  • Simpler aesthetic updates

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Types of Projects

Complete design of all spaces in a home. May include:
  • New construction design
  • Major renovation
  • Furnishing a newly purchased home
  • Complete refresh of existing home
Focus on one specific space:
  • Living room
  • Kitchen
  • Primary bedroom
  • Home office
  • Nursery or child’s room
  • Bathroom
Design services for renovation projects:
  • Kitchen remodel
  • Bathroom renovation
  • Basement finishing
  • Addition design
  • Layout modifications
Specific design needs:
  • Home office setup
  • Aging-in-place modifications
  • Accessibility improvements
  • Media room design
  • Outdoor living spaces

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Benefits of Hiring a Designer

Designers bring:
  • Trained eye for proportion, scale, and balance
  • Knowledge of design principles
  • Awareness of current trends and timeless elements
  • Understanding of materials and quality
  • Problem-solving experience
Designers often have:
  • Trade discounts on furniture and materials
  • Access to to-the-trade showrooms
  • Relationships with quality contractors
  • Custom fabrication sources
  • Unique vendor connections
Designers handle:
  • Research and sourcing
  • Decision-making guidance
  • Contractor coordination
  • Problem resolution
  • Project management
This saves clients significant time and stress.
Designers help prevent:
  • Expensive purchasing errors
  • Poor space planning
  • Mismatched elements
  • Renovation mistakes
  • Budget overruns

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When to Hire a Designer

  • Moving into new home
  • Planning major renovation
  • Feeling overwhelmed by choices
  • Want professional, cohesive look
  • Don’t have time to manage project
  • Need help visualizing possibilities
  • Previous DIY attempts unsatisfying
  • Clear vision and confidence in choices
  • Enjoy the design process
  • Simple refresh with minimal changes
  • Very limited budget
  • Strong DIY skills
If full design services aren’t right:
  • One-time consultation for guidance
  • Online design services (more affordable)
  • Hourly advice sessions
  • Design-only services (you implement)

Find Interior Designers

Research interior design professionals in your area.