A good interior designer can save you from expensive mistakes. A bad one can cost you months and a great deal of money. In Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, where homes are often second residences, waterfront properties or historic houses, the stakes are higher than usual.
This guide explains how to hire an interior designer in the Palm Beach area: what the law says, how designers charge, where to look, which questions to ask and what to put in the contract. It is written for homeowners, not for the trade.
First, know what kind of help you need
People use "interior designer," "decorator" and "stylist" as if they meant the same thing. They do not. Knowing the difference saves you from hiring the wrong person.
- A decorator selects furniture, fabrics, paint, rugs, art and accessories. The work is about how a room looks and feels.
- An interior designer can do all of that, and also plans how a space works: layouts, lighting, cabinetry, finishes and sometimes changes to non-structural walls and fixtures.
- An architect deals with structure, building design and engineering. If you want to move load-bearing walls or add square footage, you need an architect, not only a designer.
Many projects use more than one of these. A major renovation might involve an architect, a designer and a contractor, working together. A refresh of a furnished home might need only a decorator.
What Florida law says
This surprises many homeowners, so it is worth being clear.
Under Florida's statutes (Chapter 481, Part I), the title "registered interior designer" is protected. You cannot use it without holding a valid registration, and doing so is a misdemeanor. A registered interior designer must pass the qualification examination set by the Council for Interior Design Qualification, or an equivalent.
The plain title "interior designer" is not restricted, however, and the law does not apply to people who perform interior design or decorating services for a residential application. A person whose work is confined to interior decorating services does not need a registration either.
In practice, that means a person can legally design the inside of your home without being a registered interior designer. It does not mean they are unqualified, as many excellent designers are not registered. It means the title alone tells you very little, so you need to look at experience, references and past projects.
Two further points matter. First, a registered interior designer is not a contractor. The statute says a designer cannot act as a contractor unless separately licensed or certified under Florida's contractor law. Second, anyone doing structural, electrical or plumbing work needs the proper license. Ask who will actually do that work, and check it.
You can look up registrations and licenses through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) license search.
Palm Beach and West Palm Beach are different
The two places sit side by side but work differently, and that affects your project.
The Town of Palm Beach
Palm Beach has an Architectural Commission, known as ARCOM, created in 1970. It reviews exterior renovations and new construction, and according to a 2022 Florida Trend report, it does so even for work screened from public view. Exterior changes such as replacing windows, gates or pool surrounds, or enclosing a loggia, can need approval.
The same report described an approval process that can take months, with long hearings and detailed comments on points such as window panes, landscaping colors and lantern styles. Its advice to owners was to hire a local attorney, architect and builder with ARCOM experience.
The lesson for an interior project is simple. Interior work is not the same as exterior work, and the commission's focus is on the outside of the house. But if your project touches the facade, windows, doors, terraces or landscaping, build the approval time into your schedule. A designer who has worked in Palm Beach will know what is likely to need approval, and what is not.
West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach has its own city rules and a much larger inventory of condos and newer homes. It also has a growing design scene. The SoSo district, south of Southern Boulevard along Georgia Avenue and South Dixie Highway, is a cluster of showrooms and design businesses. According to Palm Beach Illustrated, it includes Chelsea Lane & Co. (wallpaper and textiles, with a trade program and a boutique open to the public), Palm Beach Regency (vintage furniture and decor) and Caribe Home (outdoor furniture with custom orders).
A visit to a showroom district is a good way to see materials in person and meet people who work with local designers. You do not need to be in the trade to look, though some showrooms sell only to professionals, so ask before you go.
How interior designers charge
Fees are the part people worry about most. There is no single standard. The American Society of Interior Designers' Minnesota chapter states plainly that there is no "typical" or "customary" fee for an interior designer, and that designers often combine methods. These are the structures you will see.
- Flat fee. One total price for a defined scope, from concept to installation. It gives you certainty, as long as the scope is clear and does not grow.
- Hourly fee. You pay for the designer's actual time. It is flexible and suits smaller or unclear projects, but the total can be hard to predict.
- Cost plus. The designer buys materials and furnishings and resells them to you at cost plus an agreed percentage.
- Retainer. An upfront payment, usually at signing, that is credited against the final bill.
- Per square foot. More common on larger or commercial projects.
Most designers use a mix, for example a design fee followed by a markup on purchases. The right structure is the one you understand and can compare. Ask each designer to explain in writing how they charge, what is included and what costs extra.
Questions to ask about money
- Do you charge for the first meeting?
- What is included in the design fee, and what is billed separately?
- Do you add a markup to furniture and materials, and how much?
- Do I pay vendors directly, or do I pay you?
- How are deposits handled, and what happens to them if the project stops?
- How do you bill for changes?
- Is there a budget range you work within?
Be wary of anyone who will not discuss fees until after you have committed. A professional will explain pricing early.
Where to find designers
Start with recommendations. Friends, neighbors, architects, builders and real estate agents who have seen finished projects are your best sources. A designer's work speaks for itself, so ask to see homes, not just photographs.
Other places to look include professional associations, showroom staff who deal with designers every day, and local design magazines. When you find a name, check their website and social media for projects similar to yours: a waterfront condo is not the same as a historic home, and a family house is not the same as a part-time retreat.
Shortlist three. That gives you enough to compare without wearing yourself out.
How to interview a designer
Treat the first meeting as a two-way conversation. You are judging their work, and they are judging whether the project suits them. These questions help.
- Which projects have you done that are similar to mine?
- Have you worked in my building, my neighborhood or with my architect?
- Who will actually work on my project: you, or a team?
- How do you approach a budget, and what happens if we go over?
- Which trades and contractors do you work with, and are they licensed?
- How long do you expect the project to take, and what could delay it?
- Can I speak to two recent clients?
Listen to how the designer answers. A good one will ask you questions too: how you live, who uses the space, what you dislike, how you entertain. If they talk only about themselves, move on.
Checking references and credentials
Call the references. Ask whether the project finished on time, how the designer handled surprises, whether the budget held and whether they would hire the designer again. Ask what the designer did badly, not only what they did well.
If the designer calls themselves a registered interior designer, check the DBPR license search. If they mention insurance, ask for proof. If contractors or trades are involved, check their licenses separately.
What to put in the contract
A written agreement protects both sides. At a minimum, it should state:
- The scope of work, in plain language, including what is not included.
- The fee structure and payment schedule.
- How purchases are handled and who orders what.
- Timelines and how delays are handled.
- How changes are approved and billed.
- Who owns the drawings and designs.
- How either side can end the agreement, and what happens to deposits.
Read it before you sign, and ask a lawyer to review anything large. For custom furniture and other long-lead items, make sure the contract says who bears the risk of delays and damage.
Planning for time and surprises
Custom furniture, fabrics and fittings can take months to arrive. In a second home, you may also be working around a season: many Palm Beach owners are away in summer and want everything ready by autumn. Work backwards from your move-in date and add a buffer.
Older homes and waterfront properties carry extra risk. Moisture, salt air, hurricane-related building requirements and old wiring can all add cost. A good designer will raise these early, and an honest one will tell you if your wish list does not match your budget.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to sign immediately.
- Vague answers about fees or markups.
- No written contract.
- A portfolio with no completed projects like yours.
- Refusal to give references.
- Large deposits for work that has not been defined.
- Claims that a license is not needed for work that clearly involves structural, electrical or plumbing changes.
A short checklist
- Decide whether you need a decorator, a designer, an architect or a team.
- Set a budget range and a realistic timeline.
- Shortlist three designers from recommendations.
- Interview each, and ask about fees in writing.
- Check references and any claimed registration.
- Sign a written contract.
- If you are in the Town of Palm Beach, ask early about ARCOM.
Frequently asked questions
Does an interior designer in Florida need a license? The title "registered interior designer" is protected and requires registration. The plain title "interior designer" is not restricted, and the law does not apply to residential interior design or decorating services. Check the DBPR license search if a designer claims to be registered.
How much does an interior designer cost? There is no standard fee. Designers use flat fees, hourly rates, cost plus, retainers or a mix. Ask for a written explanation from each one you interview.
Do I need ARCOM approval for interior work in Palm Beach? The commission focuses on exterior changes and new construction. If your project touches the exterior, check with the Town of Palm Beach before you start.
Can my designer act as my contractor? Not unless they hold the proper contractor license. Structural, electrical and plumbing work needs licensed trades.
Sources checked
Florida law: Florida Statutes, Chapter 481. Fee structures: ASID Minnesota. Palm Beach approvals: Florida Trend (2022). Design district: Palm Beach Illustrated. License lookup: Florida DBPR.