Interior design is a profession with a unique body of knowledge that has evolved in Canada over the past 70 years.

Interior Designers of Newfoundland and Labrador (IDNL) is a professional advocacy body that works to advance the profession of qualified Interior Designers, and to perform regulatory tasks in the interest of its members and the general public.  IDNL was initially founded in 2012 and has since expanded its network locally and nationally. The IDNL has established a strong and reliable professional alliance with the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) ‘to ensure that our members are competent, trained professionals with access to the latest business tools, education, communications and networking opportunities.’ The association is committed to upholding the established standards of accredited education, work experience, and examination requirements in accordance with our professional mandate.

What is an interior designer?

Interior designers are formally trained to design spaces that enhance and protect the health and safety of the public.

Interior design includes the development of all public interior spaces, such as corporate offices, health and long-term care facilities, restaurants, retail stores and shopping malls, academic institutions, airports, detention centres and public facilities.

All work is performed under the guiding principles of safeguarding the public while creating effective interior spaces that achieve the client’s objectives and balance practical design solutions with technical requirements and aesthetics.

They are trained in:

  • Building code, life safety standards and regulations, and occupational health and safety guidelines;
  • Sustainability and energy efficiency;
  • Programming user needs; the analysis and synthesis of both detailed and abstract information and ideas.
  • Construction Drawings, Schedules, Technical Specifications, and Interior Detailing;
  • Interdisciplinary coordination of building systems;
  • Accessible and barrier-free design strategies;
  • Product quality, performance, life cycle, and durability.