An interior designer’s role is multi-faceted, but begins with providing accurate and professional advice for the development and execution of interior design services across the commercial contract or residential sectors. An interior designer can provide initial design concepts and space planning proposals, product and material specifications, as well as coordinate with intersecting trades to manage a project from concept to completion. This can include duties like:
The main goal is to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, functionality and aesthetic appeal of an environment in a way that ensures the safe and optimal occupation and use of the interior space. An interior designer will consider the intended function of a space to curate an environment that is fit for purpose, as well as understand how an interior design scheme can positively impact the end-user. A successful design project will also address sustainability and minimise its environmental impact.
With differing laws for product use and specification across residential and contract sectors, an interior designer must be aware and comply with all related health & safety codes, building regulations, and installation requirements.
As a designer’s choice directly impacts on the wellbeing and safety of those who will occupy an interior dwelling, the advice offered must be accurate and where necessary, obtain independently verified and transparent advice to support recommendations. Inaccurate advice and inappropriate specification may breach laws, incur additional cost, generate delays or increase risks to those who invest and ultimately use the space. Error will impact on the designer, their suppliers reputation and generate industry complaints. For example, when a PC (provisional costs) price is quoted for a light fitting, additional costs may be necessary for the designer to instruct expert, independent advice so as to be confident that the design specification is compliant, as well as safe.
An interior designer is not only an advisor to the client, but often, also a consultant to the contractor and experts. Designers from time to time are also expected to negotiate with various industry experts in their procurement of products and installation of materials, such as structural engineers when commissioning a light fitting or Asbestos reports before commissioning wall panelling. Designers also need to consult with planners due to compliance obligations from changes generated in the design scheme. A designer must therefore possess knowledge of a multitude of skills. These skills include a strong grasp of mathematics for measuring, calculating dimensions, quantities and budgets for financial control. This is regarded by SBID as ‘basic knowledge’ and is a tested requirement of experience to obtain full SBID Accreditation status.
This multi-faceted profession of design specialisms and the specific laws that apply to each is not simply ‘a flair’ as many assume, but it requires practical training and experience. Find out more about membership requirements and training opportunities.
A professional designer’s minimum task is to define the space and safety performance of the interior, as well as produce plans to demonstrate proposed layouts for clients to review before agreeing to the design. This is known as the design scheme. The designer should also include schedules of the materials required to procure the design scheme, including CAD drawings and tested ability or use codes. When the scheme is approved by the client, the designer generates specification schedules which the client approves before declaring ‘design freeze’.
Some designers also act as the Project Manager by giving instructions to the contractor and specialists, this is a different role to interior design and should not be confused as part of a designers role. Interior Designers should plan the space to maximise the function and safe movement within it as well as take airflow, heat, extraction, electrical and plumbing regulations into account.
An architect designs the look, shape and function of a building so as to be safe and legally compliant. In the UK, the title of ‘architect’ is protected. Only those registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) who have also gained a BA degree from a recognised educational institution may describe themselves as an architect. The skills include the design of a building structure: how it looks on the outside and how the space is divided within. Qualified architects may also provide some interior design services and some may also offer interior decoration services.
An interior designer is responsible for the layout of the internal space in a building or structure. The design impacts on the wellbeing, safety and function of the interior performance of a space. An interior space could be a fixed building or a moving structure such as boat or aeroplane. An interior design relates to the layout and configuration of interior space and the design includes the skills of first and second fix installation to buildings such as kitchens, bathrooms, path-finding and surfaces. It also incorporates the responsibilities of what is often referred to as a ‘space designer’ in some countries.
The title of an interior designer is not protected in the UK, so anyone can legally describe themselves as a interior designer without training or qualification. Due to TV entertainment shows, the responsibility and role of a designer had become blurred, and is often incorrectly confused with the role of an interior decorator.
An interior designer may carry out interior decoration, but may NOT provide the services of an Architect.
There is much confusion around this role, partly due to the fact that interior decorators are often mistakenly described in the media as interior designers. Decorators do not provide advice on space, structural reconfiguration or on products and fittings. Decorators do not require knowledge of building codes, regulations and compliance. A decorator provides styling services with the adornment of interior items and objects after the interior design is completed. A decorator ‘dresses’ and ‘stylises’ the installation completed by fit-out specialists under the direction and specification of the designer.
An architect or interior designer may provide the service of a decorator, but a decorator is insufficiently qualified to provide the service of an interior designer and is not lawfully permitted to provide the services of an Architect.
Interior decorators are often featured in consumer magazines and online sources. There is no professional body for interior decoration, however interior designers tend to include interior decoration services within a full interior design scope of works.
In many countries, the title ‘Interior Designer’ refers to the skills and remit of what the UK describe as an ‘Interior Decorator. The confusion relates to protection of title. In Europe, an Interior Architect describes the same remit and skill of a British interior designer, but as ‘Architect’ is a protected title in the UK it cannot be used to describe an interior designer. Descriptions of the role and skills of interior designers differ around the world, unlike that of an Architect, Lawyer or Doctor where the title is clearly identified.
SBID aimed to clarify the role and definition by identifying the various sector specialisms within interior design that require specific compliance laws. A clear understanding of roles and obligations is core to the teaching structures and course content which trains new professionals. SBID continues to work towards title recognition for an Interior Designer in the UK.
In the UK, anyone can describe themselves as an ‘interior designer’. Therefore for consumer protection, separation and distinction from the masses of hobbyists is paramount.
SBID is the leading organisation and accreditation body for Interior Design in the UK. SBID Accreditation denotes an enhanced level of professional qualification and work experience beyond university education. Designers can join at any stage in their career and progress through the membership levels to achieve the highest level of practice as an SBID Accredited professional.
SBID also accredits university course content as fit for professional practice, offering students enrolled at any recognised interior design course free student membership.
Independently qualified, an SBID Accredited Designer is equipped to provide optimal design services for the public’s protection. To be recognised at the highest level of competence within SBID Accreditation, a minimum of three years full-time learning, plus three and a half years’ work experience is required. SBID Accreditation also involves an annual commitment to acquire 24 hours of SBID Approved CPD.
SBID Designers must pass rigorous background checks to ensure they are awarded a category of accreditation aligned to their experience and training according to their specialism of design and the scale of projects they undertake. Each member is professionally insured, skilled and abides to the SBID Code of Conduct and Ethics.
To find an SBID Accredited Interior Design Practice, explore the Designer Directory.
Accreditation helps you or your practice demonstrate a level of expertise. It separates qualified professionals from social influencers and hobbyists. Read More
The SBID Code of Conduct aims to maintain the global standing of British interior design and improve consumer protection.
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Becoming ‘SBID Accredited’ means that you have achieved the highest industry-assessed benchmark in a specialist interior design category. Read More
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