Originally written and adapted for ARIDO

We all love the freedom of choice. Whether it’s which pizza to order, which vacation spot to visit, and which hotel to stay in, it’s common for consumers to rely on the old Google search engine to find services close to them. This includes looking for the best interior designer near me typed into the search bar.

The main problem though – is not finding an interior designer in your community – it’s finding the right interior designer near you. Every interior designer in Toronto has their own style, approach, and specializations. While some are specialized in redesigning a specific room like kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms others, like ourselves, do their best work renovating an entire home.

So, how do you know which interior designer is right for you? How do you choose an interior designer that’s within Toronto but fits your needs and budget? This is what we’ll explore in today’s blog.

What is a registered interior designer?

Hiring a qualified interior designer for your project is an important step, whether you are renovating an existing space or building a new one.

Designers are commonly misunderstood as interior decorators and understanding the difference can help avoid confusion when you’re choosing and hiring an interior designer. A professional interior design is formally trained to understand people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. An interior decorator, however, furnishes a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic however they do not design architecture.

How to choose a registered interior designer in Toronto?

When looking for a professional and registered Interior Designer in Toronto or anywhere in Ontario, we recommend starting with ARIDO.

The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) is the professional association representing Interior Designers in Ontario. Only registered members of ARIDO are authorized to use the designation ARIDO and the title Interior Designer in the province. If you’re looking to hire a qualified Interior Designer, we recommend using the ARIDO directory to find one near you.

At Sansa Interiors, we are ARIDO Registered Interior Designers and members. We are required to:

• carry professional liability insurance

• participate in ongoing professional development

• uphold a professional code of ethics and standards of practice

As Registered Interior Designers in Ontario, we have extensive training in designing interior spaces. We are skilled and experienced through a rigorous path that includes a four-year degree in Interior Design, supervised work experience under a qualified Interior Designer, and the successful completion of the North American Interior Design exam (NCIDQ). This is similar to other professions like architects, lawyers, and engineers.

Should you hire a registered interior designer in Toronto?

Interior design is about much more than just the way a space looks. Through the interior design process, a qualified Interior Designer can help you realize your goals and make the interior environment functional, accessible, and attractive. They also ensure that the design of your space complies with all regulatory and legal requirements such as Ontario Building Code (OBC) and accessibility standards.

A qualified Interior Designer ensures building permits are submitted correctly, and the design is implemented properly by a contractor or construction team.

The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) is the professional association representing Interior Designers in Ontario. Only registered members of ARIDO are authorized to use the designation ARIDO and the title Interior Designer in the province. All Registered Interior Designers are required to:

• Comply with the Ontario government’s qualification and registration requirements under the Ontario Building Code

• Maintain professional liability insurance

• Participate in ongoing regular professional development

• Comply with a professional Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

You can rely on an Interior Designer’s expertise if your project with another individual takes a turn for the worse:

If your project with a Registered Interior Designer runs into issues, you can rely on their expertise to address them, or alter the design so contractors and construction teams can build it properly.

Should you hire a registered interior designer in Toronto? We’re biased but if you want to peace of mind of working with someone that is professionally training and insured, we think it’s the best route!

Still, Wondering What Interior Designers Do?

Interior designers don't just pick pillows, we do more than that. Interior designers must meet and maintain a high level of qualifications and standards. Interior design is about finding creative and functional design solutions for a given space. ⁠
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We follow a systematic, coordinated, and rigorous research, analysis, and creative process to create the interior space that meets the project's goals.⁠

Sansa Interiors Inc. is registered under ARIDO. We have extensive interior design experience and can solve any functional or creative issues within your space.

Looking for an Interior Designer in Toronto?

We can help! We specialize in complete architectural interior design services for full house renovations. Our team serves downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area.