Interior design: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What interior design is

An interior designer plans a space by assessing how it is used, then choosing the layout, colors, furniture, lighting and finishes. The designer produces plans or boards that guide purchases and installation, so the room works and looks the way the client intended.

Signs you need it

  • The room feels unfinished or the furniture does not suit how the space is used
  • You are remodeling and need the layout, the lighting and the finishes planned together
  • You have bought pieces that do not fit the room, and you want a plan before buying more
  • You want help choosing colors, materials and fabrics that work together across several rooms
  • The space has an awkward shape, poor light or limited storage that needs a planned solution

What the pro does

  • Walk the space, measure the rooms and note the windows, doors, outlets, vents and existing built-ins
  • Learn how the household uses the space and what must stay, then agree on the goals and the look
  • Draft the layout plan, showing the furniture placement, the traffic path and the clearance around each piece
  • Choose the colors, finishes, lighting and fabrics, and present them on boards or in a digital mood board
  • Prepare a shopping list with dimensions, quantities and where each item will be sourced
  • Oversee the installation or review it with you, and check the room against the plan after it is set

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the space and the number of rooms included in the design
  • Scope of the work, such as a single room, a full home or a remodel with new layouts
  • Level of involvement, from a one-time consultation to full procurement and installation oversight
  • Custom work included, such as built-ins, window treatments or specialty furniture
  • Number of revision rounds and presentations included in the agreement
  • Site visits and travel needed to complete the design and the install

What a written quote should spell out

  • Scope of the work by room, with the deliverables named, such as plans, boards and a shopping list
  • Number of revision rounds and the number of presentations included
  • Procurement steps and who places the orders, with any fees named clearly
  • Installation oversight, including the number of site visits and their purpose
  • Timeline with the milestones, the approval points and the payment schedule

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What kinds of rooms have you designed, and can you show me similar projects?
  • What is your process from the first meeting to the final install?
  • Will you produce drawings with the dimensions and the clearances?
  • How do you handle items I already own that I want to keep?
  • Who places the orders, and who is responsible if an item arrives damaged?
  • What credentials or memberships do you hold, and what is required for the title in our state?

Red flags

  • The designer will not show finished projects or a portfolio of similar rooms
  • The designer requires full payment before the scope and the deliverables are written down
  • The designer insists on placing all orders through a single vendor without disclosing the arrangement
  • The designer promises a room will look a certain way without measuring the space first

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can measure the room, take photos, list the furniture they want to keep and gather inspiration. Layout decisions that touch walls, electrical, plumbing or structure should be checked with the right trade, and a homeowner who wants a full plan should consider a designer for the drawings and the procurement.

Licenses and permits

Interior design title and practice rules vary by location, and some work that changes walls, wiring or structure must be done by licensed trades. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules that apply to designers and to any construction work in your project.

Interior design questions

Do I need an interior designer for a small room?

Not always. A designer is useful when the room has a complex layout, a limited budget to spend well or a set of pieces that must work together. Ask the designer to show a concept for the room before you agree to a full scope.

What is the difference between a designer and a decorator?

Designers usually plan the space, the layout and the construction-related details, while decorators focus on the furnishings and the finishes. The roles overlap, so ask what the designer will deliver.

Will the designer work with my contractor?

Yes, a good designer coordinates with contractors and trades on the plan. Ask the designer how they share drawings with your contractor and who signs off on the changes.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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