Interior design in Calgary covers far more than choosing colours. Done well, it decides how your home works day to day, how it feels when you walk in, and how well the money you invest in it holds its value. This guide explains what interior designers do, how a project runs from the first conversation to the final styling, what to expect on cost, and how to choose the right designer for your home.

It is written by HAUS Interiors, a principal-led design and build studio in Calgary, so you will also see how we approach each step.

What interior design includes

Interior design is the planning and detailing of a space so that it is beautiful and also works for the people who use it. On a typical residential project it includes:

• How the space is arranged. Where furniture, circulation and focal points sit so rooms feel balanced and easy to live in.

• Lighting. A layered plan of ambient, task and accent light, not just fixtures.

• Materials and finishes. Flooring, tile, stone, paint, hardware and cabinetry finishes chosen together so they work as one palette.

• Cabinetry and built-ins. Kitchens, vanities, wardrobes and storage designed around what you own.

• Furniture, window treatments and styling. The final layer that makes a finished room feel like yours.

Our interior design services in Calgary page shows how these fit together into one offer.

Interior designer, decorator or contractor: who does what?

The three roles overlap, which is why people mix them up.

• An interior designer plans the space and prepares the drawings and selections that trades build from.

• An interior decorator furnishes and styles a space once it exists. We cover this in what an interior decorator does and when to hire one.

• A general contractor manages the construction and the trades. Read why hiring both a designer and a contractor pays off.

HAUS Interiors is a design-build studio, so one accountable team can take any of these roles or all of them. Our full-service interior design runs from the first sketch to the final styling.

How a project runs, step by step

Every studio works a little differently. Here is how a HAUS Interiors project moves, in three stages.

Begin: the design consultation

We visit, listen first and talk through how you live, what is not working and what you want the space to do. The consultation is $500 plus GST, and the full amount is credited to your design fee if you sign the service agreement within 30 days of receiving your proposal. You receive a written proposal within five business days. See the design consultation page for what you receive.

Design: planning, development and finalization

We plan the layout and direction, develop the details (materials, cabinetry, lighting, finishes) and finalize the drawings and selections so everything is decided before building starts. This is where most surprises are removed, which is why it is the best place to invest your time. Our design process page describes each phase.

Build: procurement, construction and installation

Materials and furnishings are ordered, trades are scheduled and the work is built and installed to the plan. On projects where we also run the build, you deal with one team. See renovation project management in Calgary for how that works.

What interior design costs in Calgary

Cost depends on the size of the home, how much of it you are changing and whether construction is included. Design fees, project management and the build itself are separate parts of the total investment, and a clear proposal should show each one. For the detail, read our guide to what an interior designer costs in Calgary, and for what renovations cost once construction is added, see how much a main floor renovation costs in Calgary.

How to choose an interior designer in Calgary

1. Look at finished projects. Check that the work is theirs and that the credits are honest. Our portfolio states what we did on each project.

2. Ask who you will work with. You should know who designs, who manages and who is on site.

3. Ask how fees work. You want a written proposal with design, production and project investment shown separately.

4. Ask about construction. If you are renovating, find out who builds and who is accountable when the design meets the site.

5. Read the reviews. Look for specifics about communication, tidy sites and follow-through.

For a longer checklist, see questions to ask when hiring an interior designer.

Projects that show the range

• Strathcona Residence: a full-service design and build.

• Neo Classical Show Home: interior decorating for a builder's show home.

• Dean's Landing at University District: furniture selection, styling and installation.

Where we work

HAUS Interiors serves homes in Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore, Bragg Creek, Bearspaw and Harmony, by appointment.

Start with a conversation

If you are planning a renovation or a refresh and want a clear plan before anything is built, book a design consultation with HAUS Interiors.