NCIDQ clarifies that interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design, and designers apply creative and technical solutions within a building.

Common pricing models include hourly fees around 100–200+ USD, flat-fee packages, per-square-foot pricing, and markups/commissions of roughly 10–40% on purchases.

Design development alone often requires about 6–12 weeks, depending on scope and revision cycles.

Permits are typically required for structural work and for changes to major systems like plumbing and electrical, which are obtained through the local building department.

Selecting low‑VOC or zero‑VOC paints and finishes helps reduce indoor pollutants, which often measure higher indoors than outdoors.