Interior Design in Washington DC

Organizations in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is home to several professional organizations that can help you get started in your search for an interior design professional. Some of them even offer referral services or other services to put you in touch with your new designer.

International Furnishings and Design Association

As part of this international organization, the local IFDA chapter brings together professionals from all areas of interior design in Washington, D.C., to provide them with networking and showcasing opportunities. The group includes magazine publishers, material distributors, and design firms. Contact information and a list of upcoming events is available through the chapter’s page of the IFDA’s national website.

Focus On Design

This local organization works with a diverse group of designers who come together to enhance the design community through collaboration and new technology. Focus On Design hosts forums and symposiums throughout the year as well as portfolio workshops to help new designers prepare for the job market. This group's work extends beyond interior design in Washington, D.C. by working with graphic designers, educators, and artists.

American Society of Interior Designers

Founded in 1975, the Washington D.C. Chapter of ASID is a professional organization of over 800 members from parts of Virginia, Maryland, and the Capitol region. The chapter’s website includes a designer search with extensive background information about the designers along with their portfolios.

International Interior Design Association

The award-winning Mid-Atlantic chapter of IIDA, headquartered on F Street, is a group of dedicated professionals who network with one another, mentor design students, and work on legislative issues in the Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington Metro areas. The IIDA combines all areas of interior design, from residential to corporate, and encourages members to develop their skills through hands-on learning opportunities.

Firms in Washington, D.C.

The world of interior design in Washington, D.C., is rich and active thanks to the many designers who set up shop here. From the heart of the city to areas in Virginia and Maryland, you can easily find an interior designer who’s right for your needs. Many of these firms offer full design services or can help you develop a few interior design ideas. A small sampling of the firms include:

• Décor By Denise: Serving the metropolitan D.C. area, Denise Willard specializes in residential decorating. She offers one-day makeovers using the furniture already in your home and full design services that include color selection and space planning. For homeowners putting their house on the market, Willard can consult on ways to improve the home’s appearance and make it show better.

• I. Michael Interior Design: Based out of Darnestown, Maryland, this design firm is a past winner of the New York Times’ design competition. Focusing on residential, business, and hospitality fields, the group uses design software to plan their decorating approach.

• Anne Markstein Interiors: Offering complete design help for home and office, Anne Markstein Interiors has been recognized in Better Homes and Gardens and the Baltimore Sun. With 20 years experience, the firm works with clients on space planning and choosing custom furniture. Anne Markstein is past president of Baltimore’s IFDA chapter.

• Interiors by Shannon Bieter: A former resident of the furniture mecca, High Point, North Carolina, Bieter is well versed in the use of home furnishings. As a practitioner of interior design in Washington, D.C., Bieter develops presentation boards to demonstrate her full plans for a room, from paint to accessories. She also works as a design consultant for an hourly rate.

• Simon Temprell Interiors: After beginning his business in England and designing for retail giant Harrods of London, Temprell brought his talent to D.C. in 1992. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, Temprell works on retail and residential projects.

Interior Design Resources

Washington, D.C., has several sources of interior design ideas for both the professional and the casual decorator. Budding artists who are looking to put some formal education behind their design ambitions can take a class or work on an interior design degree at the Corcoran College of Art and Design or George Washington University.

Home and Design Magazine offers home interior design ideas and photos from some of the finest residences in the metro region while the Washington Home and Garden show in February gives you a chance to get up close with some of the newest products for your home.