Interior Design

How to find a good interior designer

A good dose of renewal is invariably good. Since remodeling a room or your home requires an eye for aesthetics, practical sense and an understanding of building, an interior designer can become a valuable ally. This is also the case when you have a new home built.

Before shopping for an interior design professional, here are some things to consider.

The role of the interior designer

It is important to distinguish the interior designer from other professionals in the field.

The decorator can help you with the choice of colors, curtains and decorative items, but does not normally have the knowledge of renovation to go beyond the minor and cosmetic changes. We therefore use his services to be guided in our purchases or to learn more about new trends. You can not expect to receive design and work planning services as a designer can do. 

Architects and building engineers are normally busy with more structural tasks, such as anything involving load-bearing walls, for example. These can sometimes offer interior design services, but it is better to opt for a professional who is a specialist in the field.

So, in terms of remodeling your kitchen, remodeling your basement, designing a walk-in or any other project of its kind, an interior designer is the designated professional.

How to find a good interior designer

Your craftsmanship skills will have an impact on your decision. Those who hold the know-how have only to find a designer with whom they will be on the same wavelength.

If your projects are ambitious and require the services of a construction contractor, it is desirable to find a designer who can work harmoniously with the people responsible for the execution of the work. You would not want to be caught between the two!

In fact, check out our handy guide for how to find a good construction contractor.

Unlike engineers and architects, designers are not governed by an order. However, two websites offer great tools to start your research.

With 800 members, the APDIQ (Quebec Professional Association of Interior Designers) acts “as a certification, classification and certification body for the profession”. “The APDIQ is the only reference entity that governs the holders of the APDIQ Certified Interior Designer designation. You can find the details of its members and several practical tips.

The Index Design site is ideal for getting to know the designers of the province and everything related to current affairs. The site also offers an excellent directory of design agencies.

In terms of prices, they vary greatly depending on the designer and the scope of your work. Services are normally billed on time, on a lump sum basis or as a percentage of the cost of the work. In this case, the situation is especially relevant for new construction and large-scale projects. Still, the best way to get a good price is to communicate with several professionals and not be afraid to negotiate. 

If you need financing, check out our text “Borrow more to renovate your home”.

How to become an interior designer?

To become an interior designer, obtaining a diploma or a certification is recommended for many reasons: to master the technical drawing and the software of PAO / DAO, to carry out a project, to respect the security standards, to manage a planning, to control works, etc. But not only because a diploma or certification is a reference to customers. Here are the possible paths.

Schools

Applied arts and fine arts courses are the most popular courses, as are prestigious schools such as Boulle, Olivier de Serres-Ensaama, Camondo, Ensad (The National School of Decorative Arts) or La Martinière which attract many candidates. In all, the French Council of Interior Architects ( CFAI ) recognizes 14 Bac + 2 courses at Bac + 5:

Bac + 2 level

• BTS space design;

• BTS layout of the architectural environment;

• Diploma of Crafts (DMA) arts of housing;

• Diploma of Crafts (DMA) architectural decor.

Bac +3 level

• National Diploma of Arts and Techniques (DNAT) space design.

Bac +4 level

• Higher Diploma of Applied Arts (DSAA) interior architecture and model development;

• Higher Diploma of Applied Arts (DSAA) creator-designer option interior architecture and environment.

Level Bac + 5

• National Diploma of Plastic Arts (DNAP) design;

• Higher National Diploma of Plastic Expression (DNSEP) design Toulouse and Angers;

• Diploma of Ensad-Arts Déco specialized in interior architecture;

• Diploma from Camondo School, Esag, Charpentier Academy, Blue School, Esail de Lyon …

Private trainings at a distance

Beyond the major schools of decoration and architecture, many courses are now offered remotely by various training organizations. But one does not improvise interior designer on a whim. If you choose one of these courses, make sure that your training is registered with the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications). Also find out about the training that interests you before you start and pay anything.