Interior Design Licensing in Ontario

The title 'Interior Designer' is protected in Ontario under the Interior Designers Act, 2023. Only members registered with the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) may legally use the title. Registration requires an accredited post-secondary degree or diploma in interior design, supervised work experience, and passing the NCIDQ examination or ARIDO's Registered Interior Designer Assessment (RIDA). However, the practice of interior decorating (selecting colours, furnishings, accessories) is not regulated and does not require any credential. There is an important distinction between a Registered Interior Designer (who can do space planning, building code review, and construction documents) and a decorator.

Verify the designer is a registered member of ARIDO. Ask whether they are a Registered Interior Designer or a decorator.

(1) No portfolio of completed projects or unwillingness to share client references (2) Pressures you to purchase all furnishings through them without disclosing their markup (3) No written contract outlining scope, deliverables, timeline, and fee structure (4) Claims the title 'Interior Designer' but is not registered with ARIDO

(1) Are you a Registered Interior Designer with ARIDO, or do you work as a decorator? (2) What is your fee structure (hourly, flat fee, or cost-plus) and what does it include? (3) Can I see examples of completed projects similar to mine in scope and style? (4) How do you handle procurement, and do you disclose markups on furnishings? (5) What is included in your contract, and how many revision rounds are covered?

While not legally required, it is strongly recommended that interior designs carry liability insurance. Ask for proof of coverage before hiring.

Typical rates for interior designs in Ontario range from $75-$250/hour. Scope of the project (single room vs. full home), designer experience and reputation, billing model (hourly, flat fee, or cost-plus where the designer marks up furnishings 15-35%), complexity of custom elements, whether procurement and project management are included, and the cost of furnishings and materials (which are separate from design fees). GTA designers typically charge 20-40% more than those in smaller Ontario communities. Some designers require a minimum project budget.