Looking for interior designers in Canada might be worth the time and cost for you to create the perfect at-home space you’ve always wanted.
The impact of well-designed living space is now well documented. The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace study showed that people who work in spaces with natural features reported 15% higher overall well-being levels.
Furthermore, the respondents reported 6% more productivity and 15% more creativity. Even small factors such as a well-lit home or well-planned storage space (to keep clutter under control) can make our living space more enjoyable and inviting. For many of us, the ability to create a clutter-free functional zone and make it look nice can be difficult. That’s when the help of a professional interior designer can make the difference.
What Is an Interior Designer?
An interior designer studies the interior aspect of occupied spaces such as homes, offices, and restaurants to create the perfect design that is functional, aesthetically-pleasing, healthy, and productive. Designers work with creativity, so their inspiration may come from sources such as parks, magazines, paintings, travel, or stored in their minds for ages. Most designers agree that social media such as Pinterest, Instagram, etc., have become a source for inspiration to their design and creativity.
A successful interior design career requires an undergraduate degree or diploma in interior design followed by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination after six years of combined study and experience. Interior designers charge an average of about $975 per room, with an average designer’s markup of 30%.
What Makes a Good Interior Designer?
Finding the best interior designer is like finding a shoe that perfectly fits. It highly depends on the kind of style that you find most attractive. Do appropriate research of their website, study their testimonials, any publications in magazines, online ratings, home-style awards, and ask around, and shortlist the designers that seem most suitable. Please go through the individual profiles, portfolios, and galleries of these designers to identify their past work and credibility.
If you’re in the market for professional advice on how to make space more appealing and still stay functional, here are 10 of the best interior designers in Canada, based on the most satisfied client testimonials, uniqueness and authenticity in design, national and international acclamation and awards, publications and profiles in magazines and an exuberant social media profile and followers.
10 Best Interior Designers in Canada
1. Kelly Deck
Kelly Deck is a renowned luxury home designer. She is regarded as one of the topmost distinguished designers because of her uniqueness in soft tones, adequate space allocation, and unrivaled attention to detail.
She has been successfully working in this field for the past two decades; while her firm may be in high demand, she and her crew only take on very particular projects and cap the number of clients each year.
This approach allows the Kelly Deck crew to commit undivided attention to their clients. Kelly has gained massive international popularity through her column in the Globe and Mail, featured series on Home and Garden television, and Canadian House and Home. Furthermore, she has received plenty of renowned awards and gained a position in Canada’s top ten interior designers.
Favourite Project: Sea Glass Cottage
2. Beyond Beige
Reisa Pollard founded the firm Beyond Beige. She has been successfully working in the industry for almost 18 years. Her work typically illustrates uniqueness and diversity and ranges from hospitality homes to residential spaces.
This firm concentrates on designing and renovation and is known to deeply consider their clients’ heart and mentality and incorporate it into their design. With 400+ projects and an excellent portfolio, including 13 Georgie Awards, becoming the latest NKBA 2021 winner, and multiple other awards and acclamations, Beyond Beige, excels at interior designing.
Favourite Project: Lower Road – West Coast Contemporary
3. Cecconi Simone
This firm was established in 1982; Elaine Cecconi and Anna Simone are the brains behind the operation. Cecconi Simone Inc. specializes in interiors for corporate, hospitality, retail, and residential sectors. Their work is renowned not only all over Canada but internationally in countries like United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Italy, China, etc.
After receiving multiple international and national awards for excellence in design, they have risen to one of Canada’s top ten interior designers. The firm has successfully designed 75 condominium communities in Toronto alone, with their most favourite project is the Villa Kishti.
Favourite Project: Villa Kishti
4. Paul Raff
The Paul Raff Studio is a team of diverse architects and interior designers with exceptional talent and excellent architectural techniques. The firm has been presented with several awards from the higher authorities in Canada, including the prestigious awards by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Along with their internationally acclaimed awards and their dynamic work ethic, they have reserved their spot in Canada’s top ten interior designers.
Favourite Project: Extreme Makeover
5. II by IV Design
This firm was founded by partners Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook in the year 1990. The team has exceeded the expected standards of creativity. They are powerfully guided by an endless passion for delivering the perfect designs. The firm has been awarded multiple times over the past decade, including the most recent Mist Collection and Masque Collection Architizer awards of 2020.
The team is dedicated to bringing design concepts to life with the most renowned projects like the CN Tower and Yankee Stadiums’ Legends Suite Club. The project they are most proud of is their Minto St. Thomas Residences Penthouse.
Favourite Project: Minto St. Thomas Residences Penthouse
6. Leanne Bunnell Interiors
The firm is dedicated to creating a timeless space that reflects its clients’ lifestyles and tastes. The team practices a more classic approach with elegant designs and innovative architecture. They make you ‘love where you live every day.’
One of her most favourite projects to work on was The Elbow Park century home. Their dedication and work are highlighted across multiple popular platforms such as Canadian Home Trends, the Calgary Herald, etc.
Favourite Project: Mountain Park Residence
7. Escobar Design
The firm Lemay + Escobar is based out of New York City. They practice a highly customized approach that stunningly transforms a place by incorporating excellence and out-of-the-box creativity.
The firm has been awarded numerous prestigious awards and made its way into Canada’s top ten interior designers. They have designed several high-profile spaces such as Holiday Inn Downtown Brooklyn, Montreal-Trudeau Airport Signature, and Lilacs International Commercial Center in Shanghai.
Favourite Project: Montreal-Trudeau Airport Signature
8. Elizabeth Metcalfe
Elizabeth Metcalfe has successfully designed luxury private residences with elegant and distinct ideas for the past two decades. This team of four commits to educating their client with the best ideas, products, and services.
They have received multiple esteemed awards, such as the ‘Best Interior Design Private Residence’ award from the international property awards of 2018. They create an unforgettable experience for their clients with distinguished and unique layouts and designs.
Favourite Project: The Bridle Path
9. Patricia Gray, Inc.
Patricia Gray has become internationally recognized as a prestigious interior designer. She began her journey at the Parson’s School of Design in Paris. She then established her firm in Vancouver and eventually became an expert in her field and one of Canada’s top designers.
She has designed contemporary and luxury homes for celebrities and prominent business people. She has been awarded First Place Best Residential Renovation amongst other distinguished awards.
Favorite Project: Patina
10. Mason Studio
The studio incorporates creative solutions and meaningful experiences to deliver excellent designs. The firm was founded by aspiring leaders Ashley Rumsey and Stanley Sun. Their favorite project to work on is a private residence in London, United Kingdom.
Since 2015, they have received more than 15 national and international awards, keeping them in Canada’s top ten interior designers. Some of their most established work was done for high-profile clients such as Hyatt, Viceroy Hospitality Group, Oxford Properties, etc.
Favourite Project: Private Residence in London, UK
Tips for Working With an Interior Designer
The most crucial aspect of working with an interior designer is explaining your style and exactly how you wish to transform your space. Ask them about their approach to design and their preferred style. Set your priorities and make sure that you are being kept in the loop regarding all the recommendations and changes being made.
Refer to their previous portfolios and recommend the styles you are most fond of. Be explicit in your expectations regarding furniture and construction, and be transparent in your terms and conditions. Lastly, appreciate the hard work that goes into designing a beautiful home.
Tips for Creating the Ideal Contract With an Interior Designer
Designing an ideal contract requires focus and understanding the terms and conditions that are most favorable for you and your interior designer.
Firstly, include the scope of work and the extent to which the designer needs to work, for example, renovation or newly built and for one room or more? Secondly, include the fee or hourly rate that both the parties have agreed upon. Thirdly, include the details of drawings and plans that have been conceptualized and finalized. Fourthly, write about the payment terms and the requirements of refund under certain circumstances.
Finally, write about the schedule of working hours and the deadlines that have been mutually decided.
Resources for Finding Interior Designers
Conclusively, finding the best interior designers can be a tough call, but it has become relatively more straightforward with so many excellent resources now readily available. Some of the top picked resources include magazines such as ElleDecor, Houzz, Pinterest, Metropolitan Home, and Architectural Digest.
Social media plays an integral role in finding the right designer. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook consist of detailed profiles and portfolios to identify the style and design that suits you best.
