How to Find a Good Interior Designer in Paris?

Where to Search for an Interior Designer in Paris?

Do you have a renovation or development project in Paris and are looking for the ideal professional to guide you? Finding a good interior designer in the capital can seem complex given the multitude of available options. Between certified professionals, decorators posing as designers, and agencies with highly variable rates, how do you navigate?

The first step is to identify the right sources for your search. The CFAI directory (French Council of Interior Designers) is an essential reference: it lists only professionals whose skills have been recognized through a demanding process. Specialized platforms like Houzz or Archidvisor also allow you to browse portfolios and verified client reviews.

Word of mouth remains a reliable approach, especially if you know people who have completed projects similar to yours. A Haussmann apartment in the 16th arrondissement doesn't require the same skills as a loft in the 11th. Ask your network, but also real estate professionals or construction craftsmen who can recommend interior designers they regularly work with.

What Criteria to Verify Before Choosing?

CFAI Certification: A Guarantee of Competence

Unlike the profession of DPLG architect, the interior designer profession is not regulated in France. Anyone can theoretically claim the title. This is why the certification issued by the French Council of Interior Designers represents an essential benchmark.

To obtain the title of "CFAI Interior Designer," the professional must either be a graduate of a CFAI-recognized school with 3 years of professional practice, or successfully pass before a competency recognition committee. This certification guarantees solid training (minimum 5 years of study) and verified experience.

Mandatory Insurance: Ten-Year Warranty and Professional Liability

Any interior designer carrying out project management missions is required to take out ten-year warranty insurance and professional liability insurance. These guarantees, imposed by the Spinetta law of 1978 and articles 1792 and following of the French Civil Code, protect you in case of defects or damages.

Always require an up-to-date insurance certificate. It must mention the insurer's contact details, the contract number, and the geographical coverage. A serious professional will provide this spontaneously and include this information on their quotes and invoices.

Portfolio: Verifying Suitability for Your Project

Each interior designer develops a specific aesthetic sensibility and areas of expertise. Some excel in renovating Haussmann apartments, others in contemporary spaces or small surfaces.

Ask to see completed projects comparable to yours in terms of surface area, architectural style, budget, and technical constraints. A good portfolio should show before/after images, finishing details, and ideally client testimonials.

What Questions to Ask at the First Meeting?

Questions About Background and Skills

The first meeting with an interior designer is crucial. Prepare a list of questions to assess their professionalism and suitability for your project. Start with their background: what training have they completed? Are they CFAI certified? How many years have they been practicing?

Ask about their experience with projects similar to yours. Have they renovated apartments in your arrondissement before? Do they know the specifics of buildings from your era (Haussmann, 1930s, contemporary)? What challenges have they encountered and how did they solve them?

Questions About Methodology and Organization

Each interior designer has their own working method. Ask them to explain the stages of their intervention, from the preliminary study to the final handover. Who will be your daily contacts? Do they work alone or in a team? Do they use subcontractors?

Also clarify the scope of their mission. Do they only offer design (plans, 3D visuals) or do they also handle site supervision? Can they assist with administrative procedures if needed (preliminary declaration, co-ownership agreement)?

Questions About Budget and Deadlines

Address the financial question from the first meeting. What is their billing method (percentage, fixed fee, hourly rate)? What are their usual fees for a project comparable to yours? Do these fees include VAT?

Also ask for an estimate of deadlines: how long for the design phase? For the work? Are there any scheduling constraints to anticipate (craftsmen availability, custom furniture manufacturing times)?

How to Compare Multiple Interior Designer Quotes?

Verify That the Scopes Are Identical

Comparing interior designer quotes is only relevant if the proposed services are equivalent. A lower rate may hide an incomplete mission: no site supervision, limited number of plan revisions, no 3D visuals...

For each quote, list precisely what is included in the study phases (existing survey, plans, sections, perspectives, material boards), the contractor consultation phases (specifications writing, quote analysis, negotiation) and the execution phases (site supervision, meetings, final handover).

Analyze the Fee Breakdown

Interior designers can bill in different ways. The percentage on work (generally 10-15%) is the most common for complete missions. The fixed rate per m² suits well-defined projects. The hourly rate applies more to one-off consulting missions.

Ask for a breakdown of fees by phase to understand the work distribution and identify any missing items. A well-structured quote details the different stages and allows for objective comparison.

Evaluate the Feeling and Communication

Beyond the numbers, the quality of the human relationship is decisive for the success of a project that can last several months. Evaluate the professional's responsiveness (response time to your requests), their listening ability, and their pedagogy in explaining technical choices.

A good interior designer should know how to challenge your ideas while respecting your tastes and constraints. If there's no connection from the first meeting, there's little chance the collaboration will be smooth.

What Mistakes to Avoid in Your Search?

Choosing Based Solely on Price

The rate is obviously important, but an interior designer who is too cheap should raise alarms. Abnormally low fees may indicate a lack of experience, inadequate insurance, or a subpar service that will cost you more in the end (errors to correct, delays, defects).

Conversely, a high rate doesn't automatically guarantee quality. Choose a professional whose fees are consistent with the Parisian market and justified by verifiable skills.

Neglecting Insurance Verification

Too many individuals forget to ask for insurance certificates before signing. In case of a claim, the absence of a ten-year warranty can have disastrous financial consequences. A water leak caused by a poor installation, an undetected structural problem... risks exist even on apparently simple projects.

Verify that the insurance is up to date (validity date), that it covers project management activities, and that the geographical area includes Paris and Île-de-France.

Confusing Decorator and Interior Designer

An interior decorator works on aesthetics: choice of colors, furniture, textiles, accessories. An interior designer goes further by rethinking volumes, modifying room layouts, and supervising technical work (electricity, plumbing, partitions).

If your project involves structural modifications or space redistribution, a decorator won't have the required skills or insurance. Make sure to call on the right professional depending on the nature of your work.

Relying Only on Instagram Photos

Social networks are useful for discovering an interior designer's work, but photos don't tell the whole story. They don't show schedule compliance, budget management, or the quality of communication with the client.

Always ask for client references you can contact directly. Their feedback on the actual project progress will be much more instructive than a beautiful Instagram image.

Why Use a Specialized Intermediary?

Finding the right interior designer takes time: identifying relevant professionals, checking their references, comparing quotes, assessing human compatibility... For an individual discovering this world, the journey can be long and uncertain.

This is precisely why specialized matchmaking services exist. Their added value lies in their deep knowledge of the Parisian market, pre-qualification of professionals, and ability to quickly identify profiles suited to each project.

Hauss Paris supports individuals and professionals in their interior design projects in Paris. As a specialized intermediary, we facilitate the connection between your project and an interior designer suited to your needs, style, budget, and way of working.

Whether you want to renovate a studio, redesign a family apartment, or transform a Haussmann building in the upscale neighborhoods, we analyze your project and introduce you to professionals whose skills and sensibility match your expectations. Our knowledge of the Parisian market and our network of qualified interior designers save you valuable time while securing your choice.

From studios to grand Haussmann apartments, for French and international clients, we offer a human and structured approach that allows you to move forward serenely with your project.

FAQ: Your Questions About Finding an Interior Designer

How can I verify if an interior designer is CFAI certified?

You can search for the professional's name in the CFAI online directory. If their profile appears, it means they have been recognized as competent by the French Council of Interior Designers after a demanding process including verification of their training and professional experience. You can also contact the CFAI secretariat directly to confirm their registration.

Is the first meeting with an interior designer free?

Practices vary among professionals. Some offer a free first meeting (30 minutes to 1 hour) to evaluate the project and establish initial contact. Others charge between €80 and €200 for this consultation, an amount sometimes deducted from fees if you sign a contract. Always ask before scheduling an appointment to avoid surprises.

How many interior designers should I meet before choosing?

It's recommended to meet at least 2 to 3 professionals to have relevant points of comparison. This will allow you to evaluate different approaches, compare rates, and above all feel who you connect with best. Beyond 4 or 5 meetings, you risk spreading yourself thin and losing efficiency.

Can an interior designer work on a property I haven't purchased yet?

Yes, and it's even recommended. An interior designer can assist you in evaluating a property before purchase to estimate the development potential, identify technical constraints, and quote the necessary work. This pre-acquisition consulting service can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and help you negotiate the purchase price with full knowledge of the facts.

Sources: CFAI (French Council of Interior Designers), Spinetta Law 1978, Articles 1792 and following of the French Civil Code