Get Quotes from Top Interior Designers in Los Angeles, CA

Are You Registered or Certified to Practice as an Interior Designer in Los Angeles?

Interior designers in Los Angeles do not require government-issued professional or occupational licenses to ply their trades. However, per Chapter 3.9 of the California Business and Professions Code, only interior designers certified by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) may use the designation "Certified Interior Designer" when referring to themselves or the services they provide.

Interior designers who wish to be certified by the CCIDC must meet one of the following minimum education requirements:

• Must have completed a four or five-year accredited interior design program and have at least two years of work experience
• Must have completed a three-year accredited interior design program and have at least three years of work experience
• Must have completed a two-year accredited interior design program and have at least four years of work experience
• Must have either a minimum of eight years of interior design education, eight years of diversified interior design work experience, or a combined total of no less than eight years of interior design education and diversified interior design work experience

Eligible applicants must provide proof of their educational qualifications and apply for the CCIDC-administered IDEX California Examination online. The CCIDC provides several examination paths that make provision for the applicant's level of education and attained work experience. Also, in addition to passing the certification exam, other requirements like the payment of fees and the submission of a government-issued ID may have to be met before applicants can be certified.

Inquiries concerning the CCIDC's certification requirements and procedures can be directed to (760) 294-1936.

While interior designers in Los Angeles don't need to undergo certification with the CCIDC, hiring one who has completed this process is always in your best interest. This is because these certified interior designers have passed exams that prove their level of experience and are also required to abide by a strict code of ethics, thereby providing you with a measure of confidence in their expertise and professionalism.

You can verify the certification status of your intended interior designer via the online platform that the CCIDC provides and maintains for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Interior Designers in Los Angeles?

Interior designers in Los Angeles typically utilize different types of fee structures when billing for their services. These include:

• Percentage fee structure: this involves the interior designer charging you a percentage of the total cost of your home renovation project, which usually ranges from 10 to 25 percent. The advantage of this fee structure is that you typically do not have to pay upfront fees, and you also have a clear estimate of the cost of the interior designer's services. On the other hand, unscrupulous interior designers can take advantage of this structure to recommend or purchase only expensive items in a bid to increase the total cost of your project and thus increase their total fee.
• Hourly fee structure: this involves the interior designer billing you for the total time spent working on your project. This type of fee structure is usually recommended for relatively small projects. However, you may be required to pay a retainer before the interior designer begins work on your project.
• Flat rate fee structure: this involves the interior designer charging you a fixed fee for their services or for specified tasks like design assessments or reviews

Always find out the type of fee structure your preferred interior designer plans to utilize for the project. Note that factors like the size of the space that requires designing and the interior designer's reputation typically affect the cost of hiring an interior designer in Los Angeles.

Regardless, it is advisable to get and compare quotes from at least three interior designers in the city before making your hiring decision. Doing this can help you spot unnecessarily high rates and other unscrupulous activities.

Interior designers in Los Angeles earn an average annual wage of $68,730. The list below provides the average hourly wages of these professionals compared with the average hourly wages of interior designers across the rest of California as well as several other locations in the United States:

What Kind of Interior Design Services Do You Offer?

Finding out the types of services an interior designer offers is a necessary step to ensure that you receive optimal service and value for your money. These services include residential and commercial interior design and more niche services like sustainable interior design, interior restorations, and event and holiday decoration. 

It should be noted that many homeowners often use the terms "interior designer" and "interior decorator" interchangeably. However, although both types of professionals offer similar services, they differ. Interior designers generally undergo more formal education than interior decorators and work closely with architects and general contractors to enhance the design and function of living spaces.

Interior decorators, on the other hand, focus mostly on aesthetics and are not typically involved in structural planning or renovations with regard to home improvement projects.

After confirming that your intended interior designer's area of expertise is relevant to the nature and scope of your project, it is also a good idea to find out how much you will be charged for these services. Cost estimates of interior design services in Los Angeles based on different fee structures are provided below:

Residential interior design services cost estimates

Commercial interior design services cost estimates

What is Your Favorite Interior Design Style?

When looking to remodel your home or create a new living space, it is common to have a clear idea of the preferred interior design style or aesthetic you want for this space. To this end, confirming that your interior designer is experienced enough to bring this style to life is always a good idea. Otherwise, you may end up with a home in which you feel highly unsatisfied.

In situations where you wish to work with an interior designer known for a particular style or design, it is a good idea to check their portfolio and confirm that these styles and designs fit your idea for your living space.

While the most popular interior design style amongst Los Angeles homeowners is the Hollywood Regency, other common styles found in homes in the area include:

• Scandinavian
• Organic Modern
• Modern Farmhouse
• Glam
• Minimalist
• Bohemian
• Rustic
• Transitional
• Eclectic
• Traditional
• Contemporary
• Shabby Chic
• Art Deco
• Coastal

Finally, if you are not set on a particular interior design style for your home, you can consult your interior designer to create a unique style that fits your age and personality. Some of the more common interior design styles amongst various age groups in the city include:

• Generation X/Baby Boomers – Traditional, Rustic
• Generation Y/Millennials – Modern, Minimalist
• Generation Z – Eclectic, Rustic

Can You Provide References from People You Have Served in Los Angeles?

It is common to get referrals from friends, family, or online directories from organizations like the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) and the American Society of Interior Designers when searching for suitable interior designers to handle your home remodeling project.

However, irrespective of how you contact any interior designer in Los Angeles, you should always ask for references from their past clients before signing any contracts with them. This helps you ascertain their legitimacy and is a good way to get first-hand reviews of their designs, experience, and work ethic.

Professional interior designers in Los Angeles will readily provide you with this information and even offer you a portfolio of their past work. Be wary of any interior designers who either cannot provide you with up to three local references or seem hesitant to do so, as this is usually an indication of subpar services and unprofessionalism on the part of the designer.

Finally, you should consider looking up your preferred interior designer on platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and the CCIDC's Enforcement Actions webpage. This way, you can review their complaint history and the nature of the complaints made against them, if any.

How Do You Structure Your Interior Design Projects?

An important area to look out for when searching for suitable interior designers for your home design and remodeling in Los Angeles is how the interior designer organizes and structure their projects. Doing this helps to know how the interior designer manages their time and gives you an idea of what to expect from the design process.

This is important as it helps you ensure that the interior designer's project timeline aligns with any specific milestones that you may have for the projects, such as expected move-in dates or visits from friends and family.

A typical interior design process is commonly structured as follows:

• Discovery: this involves identifying the client's unique needs and styles, reviewing inspiration images, and discussing the home's overall space plan.
• Inspiration: at this stage, the interior designer and their design team create a room-by-room concept statement that will be used to guide the overall direction of the interior design project.
• Design: here, the interior designer presents the fully developed design ideas to the client. This stage may include design revisions to make adjustments for the client's unique needs or demands and follow-up presentations until a final design is agreed on.
• Procurement: this stage involves the interior designer ordering the necessary furnishings, fixtures, and accessories needed to implement the agreed-upon design.
• Installation: this stage involves installing the procured furnishings, fixtures, and accessories in the home or living space being designed. Depending on the scope of the project, this can take anywhere between one and five days or more.
• Big reveal: this is the final stage of the interior design project, and it involves the interior designer unveiling the completed job to the client

What Builders, Architects, or Contractors Do You Work With?

Depending on the nature of the project, an interior designer may work hand-in-hand with other professionals, either as the lead contractor engaging carpenters, flooring contractors, and other subcontractors or in collaboration with architects, builders, or general contractors.

Where your interior designer is working with other subcontractors, aside from verifying the cost for these professionals, it is essential to verify that they are appropriately licensed and insured for the work they are engaged in.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 57,780 work-related injuries were recorded among workers in construction trades in 2020. When contractors working with your interior designer are uninsured, you may be financially liable for such injuries that occur during your project. Therefore, you should ensure that each of these subcontractors has a general liability insurance cover that is adequate for the scope of your project.

Note that excluding workers' compensation insurance, which all employers in the State of California are statutorily required to provide for their employees, Chapter 3.9 of the California Business and Professions Code also mandates certified interior designers in Los Angeles to let you know whether they carry errors and omissions insurance to cover inadequate work or negligent actions.

To this end, you should always request proof of insurance from your interior designer and subcontractors. You can contact the issuing insurance organization to authenticate it before you finalize any hiring arrangements with them.