Interior Designers in Memphis

June 15, 2026

Unlike online room-design tools and national furnishing catalogs that work only from photographs, a Memphis 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. Memphis is Tennessee’s second largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its mix of historic neighborhoods, midcentury homes, and active commercial development sustains steady demand for full-service residential design, commercial and hospitality interiors, space planning, furnishings, and whole-home renovations. Designers in the metro often serve clients across Memphis along with Germantown, Collierville, and the surrounding Mid-South.

One point that surprises many Memphis 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 the city of Memphis and Shelby County, building permits are handled through the local construction code enforcement office, and a reputable designer coordinates with the architect, contractor, and permitting authority 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 Memphis

1. Ami Austin Interior Design

Address: 4564 Poplar Avenue, Laurelwood Shops, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 458-4255
Website: https://amiaustininteriors.com
Services: full-service residential interior design, commercial design for developers, restaurants, retail and corporate spaces, design consultations, furniture and product retail through Ami Austin Home
Description: Ami Austin Interior Design was founded in 2004 by principal designer Ami Austin, who is based in the Laurelwood Shops on Poplar Avenue in East Memphis. The firm handles residential work spanning houses, condominiums, and apartments, as well as commercial projects for real estate developers, restaurants, retail, and corporate spaces, and it serves clients throughout the United States. Austin describes the studio’s approach as livable luxury that combines personal functionality with aesthetic precision, with the view that modern design can still be warm and comfortable. The practice maintains a separate retail line, Ami Austin Home, which carries furniture, lighting, flooring, fabrics, and accessories, giving clients access to procurement alongside design services. The studio keeps regular weekday hours with Saturday appointments available.

2. B. Gaines Interior Design

Address: Germantown, TN (serving Memphis and Collierville; by appointment, no public studio address)
Phone: (901) 877-8414
Website: https://www.bgainesinteriordesign.com
Services: full-service residential and commercial interior design, new construction, remodels, furnishings retail through Hey Rube
Description: B. Gaines Interior Design was founded in 2010 by owner Becca Gaines, who holds NCIDQ Certificate No. 25777 and is a Tennessee Registered Interior Designer (No. 1193), and who earned an interior design degree from the University of Alabama. Based in Germantown and serving Memphis and Collierville, the firm provides full-service design from concept to completion across residential and commercial projects, including new construction and remodels. Gaines trained under Southern designers Rozanne Jackson and Rhea Crenshaw, and the studio’s aesthetic is described as charming utility, traditional modernity, humble elegance, and subtle luxury. The firm also operates Hey Rube, a retail store carrying furnishings, linens, and accents, including brands such as Verellen furniture and Libeco linens.

3. Maggie Clarke Interiors

Address: Memphis, TN (by appointment; no public studio address)
Phone: Not publicly listed
Website: https://www.maggieclarkeinteriors.com
Services: full-service residential interior design, project management and advisory, space planning, furnishings, renovation coordination
Description: Maggie Clarke Interiors is a full-service residential design firm in Memphis led by founder Maggie Clarke, who serves as CEO and lead designer. The studio is known for layered, personality-driven interiors that blend a traditional aesthetic with vibrancy, and it focuses on busy professional families seeking a turn-key experience supported by meticulous project management. The firm’s work has been featured by HGTV Magazine, Apartment Therapy, and Martha Stewart, and its named projects include residences in the Central Gardens Historic District and the Belvedere and Vinton projects in Memphis, a home in the Devonshire Gardens area of Germantown, and a residence in Durham, North Carolina. The practice positions itself for high-end clients who want full project oversight from planning through furnishing and installation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Interior Designers in Memphis

Q: Do interior designers in Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis and Shelby County are issued through the local construction code enforcement office. A full-service designer manages these relationships rather than performing the regulated work directly.

Q: How do interior designers in Memphis 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 Memphis?

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 Memphis?

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.