Working With an Interior Designer Part 1: Technical Aspects of Interior Design

When renovating your home, you might decide to hire an interior designer or decorator to save time and make your home look the way you imagine. Interior designer and interior decorator may seem like the same job title to a lot of people, but they actually have distinct backgrounds and responsibilities.

Interior Decorator vs. Interior Designer

While interior decorators may be hired by architects, developers, and homeowners to upgrade the visual aesthetic and functionality of a space, interior designers also focus on the impact of design on human experience and are qualified in the technical aspect of construction. Interior designers are required to have a Bachelor of Arts in interior design, while interior decorators do not need any specific license requirements or formal training. Interior designers are usually NCIDQ certified, which means they’ve met specific education and work experience requirements, and have passed the three-part NCIDQ exam. The exam tests interior designers’ knowledge of core competencies as determined by the Council for Interior Design Qualification. NCIDQ Certification is the globally recognized hallmark of a highly qualified interior designer.

Save Time

Hiring an interior designer or working with a designer at a design-build contractor instead of taking projects on yourself will save you costly mistakes and hours of time. While trying to do-it-yourself, you may end up inadvertently selecting finishes that don’t work with the application, or products that require high-cost maintenance. By paying a professional, you’ll be able to avoid these mishaps. An interior designer will know how to guide you through the selection process as to not waste any time. They’ll assist you by knowing what to purchase, keeping within your budget, and applying your aesthetic in the most visually pleasing way.

Meet All Building Codes

Interior designers are trained and knowledgeable about building construction codes relevant to interiors. They ensure that the design avoids safety hazards such as using wet rated fixtures where needed or not providing slip resistant flooring in entryways. Interior designers can also make certain that your home adheres to Universal Design principles: ensuring the design can be accessed and used by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability.

Ensure Quality of Materials

Interior designers approve all materials used in the renovation to meet durability standards. After an interior designer works with you to create your vision, there won’t need to be any guesswork involved in what materials to use to make it come to life. Interior designers will pay close attention to the durability, cost, and sustainability of the materials contractors use for your renovation.

Check back with us for our February blog post, which will focus on the psychological aspects of interior design. To learn more about Harjo Construction and our projects, view our portfolio! To keep up with our latest updates, stay in touch on social media.