Interior Designers in Nashville

June 15, 2026

Unlike online room-design apps and national furnishing catalogs that work only from photographs, a Nashville interior designer visits the space, takes measurements, studies how light moves through the rooms, and builds a plan around how a particular household actually lives. Nashville is Tennessee’s largest city, with a population of roughly 715,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its sustained growth has produced one of the South’s most active residential and commercial construction markets. That activity, spread across new builds in the surrounding suburbs and renovations of Davidson County’s older housing stock, keeps steady demand for full-service residential design, commercial and hospitality interiors, space planning, furnishings, and whole-home renovations.

One point that surprises many Nashville homeowners is that Tennessee does not require a license to practice interior design. The state has a title act but no practice act, which means anyone may offer interior design services and use the title “interior designer” without a state credential. Tennessee does, however, regulate one specific designation: under the Interior Designers Title Registration Act (TCA 62-2-901 and following), only a person who has registered with the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners, which requires passing the NCIDQ examination, may use the protected title “registered interior designer.” The law expressly allows everyone else to render or offer interior design services as long as they do not use that specific title. Because no license is needed to practice, the meaningful qualifications are largely voluntary. The most widely recognized is the NCIDQ certification, awarded by the Council for Interior Design Qualification to designers who pass a rigorous examination covering building systems, codes, and construction, and it is also the basis for Tennessee’s registered-designer title. Membership in professional bodies such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) signals further commitment to standards and continuing education. A strong, verifiable portfolio remains the most direct evidence of a designer’s range and competence.

The absence of a state license does not mean a project is unregulated. Decorative work such as paint, furnishings, window treatments, and space planning can be handled by a designer alone, but any structural or building change, moving load-bearing walls, altering plumbing or electrical systems, or expanding a footprint, requires licensed professionals and permits. Tennessee requires a licensed architect for many structural design decisions, and construction work totaling $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials requires a licensed contractor through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. In Metro Nashville and Davidson County, building permits are issued through the Department of Codes and Building Safety, and a reputable designer coordinates with the architect, contractor, and permitting office rather than working around them.

Consumer protection still applies to design agreements. The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which addresses deceptive trade practices and gives clients recourse in contract disputes, including disagreements over design fees, furniture orders, and project scope. Because designers commonly purchase furnishings on a client’s behalf and bill for procurement, homeowners should ask for a written agreement that spells out the fee structure (flat fee, hourly, or cost-plus on furnishings), the scope of services, the project timeline, and how purchasing and reimbursements are handled. Reviewing a designer’s portfolio, confirming any NCIDQ, ASID, or Tennessee registered-designer credentials directly with the issuing body, and putting the full scope in writing are the practical safeguards in a field where no license is required to practice.

Top Interior Designer Providers in Nashville

1. Rutledge Interiors

Address: 48 Lindsley Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 319-6670
Website: https://rutledgeinteriors.com
Services: full-service residential and commercial interior design, retail and restaurant interiors, historic interiors, concept planning through construction, construction and renovation coordination
Description: Rutledge Interiors is a Nashville design firm led by founder Mary Jenkins-Kline, whose credentials include Registered Interior Designer in the State of Tennessee, the NCIDQ certification, and Professional Membership in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She also holds a Tennessee contractor license, which allows the firm to manage projects from concept plans through construction rather than handing off the build to a separate party. The firm is a certified woman-owned and woman-controlled business and takes on a wide range of work, from residential to commercial, retail and restaurant, and historic projects, including criminal justice facilities. Jenkins-Kline has received design and service awards across residential, commercial, and historical categories, and the practice positions itself for clients who want a single point of accountability spanning design and construction.

2. B. Blanton Design

Address: Nashville, TN (by appointment; no public studio address)
Phone: (615) 757-3191
Website: https://www.bblantondesign.com
Services: full-service residential interior design, design-build projects, design refresh, contractor collaboration, vendor selection, material specification
Description: B. Blanton Design is a residential interior design firm founded by Brittney Blanton, who holds both the NCIDQ certification and ASID membership. Before establishing the firm, Blanton worked with design practices in New York, Nashville, and Chattanooga, and she describes the studio’s aesthetic as warm, elegant, and earthy, aimed at timeless and comfortable interiors with sophisticated detailing. The firm offers both design-build projects and lighter design-refresh engagements, and it manages full-service work that includes contractor collaboration, vendor selection, and material specification. The studio serves Nashville along with Brentwood, Franklin, Belle Meade, and the greater area, and emphasizes transparent pricing with detailed upfront estimates. Featured projects include Highland Modern, Winchester Retreat, Eastland Bungalow, and Westhaven.

3. Of Origin Design Studios

Address: 438 Houston Street, Suite 252, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: Not publicly listed
Website: https://www.oforigin.net
Services: full-service residential and commercial interior design, architectural drawings and space planning, finish selections, furnishings, home renovations
Description: Of Origin Design Studios is a Nashville firm whose owner and principal designer, Justin Orton, holds the NCIDQ certification, is a Tennessee registered interior designer, and is an ASID member, and earned a fine arts degree in interior design from Watkins College of Art, Design and Film. The studio works across both residential and commercial spaces and provides architectural drawings, space planning, finish selections, furnishings, and home renovations as part of a full-service approach. Its design philosophy centers on truth to materials, favoring raw and organic pieces, clean modern lines, and timeless selections, with influences drawn from Wabi-Sabi living and the Japanese charring technique Shou Sugi Ban. Design Director Kierstin Casella, who brings nine years of experience, supports the studio’s project work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Interior Designers in Nashville

Q: Do interior designers in Nashville have to be licensed by the state?

No. Tennessee has no practice act for interior design, so anyone may offer interior design services and use the title “interior designer” in Nashville without a license. The state does have a title act: under the Interior Designers Title Registration Act, only someone registered with the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners (which requires passing the NCIDQ exam) may use the protected title “registered interior designer,” but that registration is not required to practice. Because no license is needed to do the work, clients evaluate designers through credentials such as the NCIDQ certification, Tennessee registered-designer status, and ASID or IIDA membership, along with a portfolio of completed work and references.

Q: What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?

The terms are often used interchangeably, and Tennessee does not regulate the practice of either one. In general practice, decorating focuses on furnishings, color, and finishes in an existing space, while interior design more often involves space planning, building systems, code-aware decisions, and coordination with architects and contractors on renovations. A designer who holds the NCIDQ certification has passed an exam covering construction and codes, which signals capacity for the more technical work and is also the requirement for using Tennessee’s protected “registered interior designer” title.

Q: Can a Nashville interior designer handle a renovation that moves walls or changes plumbing?

A designer can plan and coordinate such a renovation, but the structural and building work itself requires licensed professionals. Moving load-bearing walls or altering plumbing and electrical systems calls for a licensed architect or engineer where applicable, and construction totaling $25,000 or more requires a licensed contractor through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Building permits in Metro Nashville are issued through the Department of Codes and Building Safety. A full-service designer manages these relationships, and some, such as firms whose principal also holds a contractor license, can carry the project through construction directly.

Q: How do interior designers in Nashville charge for their work?

Common structures include a flat project fee, an hourly rate, and a cost-plus or markup arrangement on furnishings the designer purchases on the client’s behalf, and many firms combine these. Some designers offer e-design or virtual packages for clients who want a plan to execute themselves. Because furnishing purchases and reimbursements can be a significant part of the budget, clients should request a written agreement that states the fee basis, scope, timeline, and how procurement and billing are handled.

Q: How can I verify an interior designer’s credentials in Nashville?

Since no license is required to practice, verify credentials directly with the issuing bodies. NCIDQ certification can be confirmed through the Council for Interior Design Qualification, “registered interior designer” status can be confirmed with the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners, and professional membership can be confirmed through ASID or IIDA. Beyond credentials, ask to see a portfolio of completed projects, request references from recent clients, and confirm that any contractor brought onto a build holds a current license with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

Q: What protections do I have if a design project goes wrong in Nashville?

Design agreements are covered by the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), administered by the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which addresses deceptive practices and contract disputes, including disagreements over fees, furniture orders, and scope. Keeping the signed contract, written estimates, invoices, and records of furnishing purchases strengthens any complaint. Disputes that involve a licensed contractor on the construction side can also be raised with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.