The posting
The Opportunity
At IHR, our Interior Designers are more than designers. They are thoughtful guides who help homeowners turn the way they want to live into beautiful, functional, and buildable homes.
We are looking for a Residential Interior Designer with a strong foundation in residential design who is ready to take meaningful ownership of the design process. You may have developed your experience primarily in a traditional design studio, architecture firm, or the design phase of projects. You do not need to have already managed every aspect of a design-build project from early programming through construction completion. What matters is that you are excited to learn how thoughtful design decisions connect to planning, construction, investment, schedule, and the finished client experience.
You will work closely with homeowners to understand their goals, develop cohesive design solutions, guide them through key decisions, and help move each project from concept into clear, buildable documentation. You will collaborate with IHR’s Project Coordinator, Drafter, Site Superintendent, suppliers, and trade partners, gaining direct exposure to the integrated design-build process.
This is an opportunity for a capable designer who loves creating exceptional residential spaces and wants to deepen their project leadership, construction collaboration, and client-guidance skills within an established team.
About Us
Innovative Home Renovations is a residential design build remodeling firm serving homeowners throughout Northeast Seattle. We reimagine existing homes around the way our clients want to live, combining thoughtful design, detailed planning, and exceptional construction in one integrated process.
A successful remodel is about more than the finished home. We are equally focused on creating an exceptional remodeling experience where homeowners feel understood, informed, confident, and in control throughout their project.
At IHR, we believe the homeowner is the hero of the remodeling story. Our role is to understand where they want to go, guide the decisions along the way, and bring that vision to life.
What You Will Do
Understand the Client and Their Home
- Participate in client discovery meetings, site visits, and design conversations to understand homeowners’ goals, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, priorities, and how they want their home to function.
- Ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully so design recommendations reflect what matters most to the client.
- Study the existing home’s architecture, layout, constraints, and opportunities with guidance from the project team.
Develop Thoughtful Design Solutions
- Create cohesive design concepts that balance beauty, function, architecture, lifestyle, investment priorities, and buildability.
- Develop space plans, layouts, material palettes, finish selections, cabinetry concepts, millwork details, lighting intent, fixtures, furnishings, renderings, and visual presentations appropriate to the project.
- Prepare and present design recommendations that help homeowners understand the possibilities for their home.
- Refine designs in response to client feedback, existing conditions, and input from the project team.
Guide Client Decisions
- Build trusted relationships with clients by being prepared, responsive, curious, and clear.
- Lead or co-lead design presentations, showroom visits, material and finish selections, and site walkthroughs.
- Explain the reasoning behind recommendations in an accessible, confident manner.
- Help clients navigate options and tradeoffs while seeking support on complex investment, schedule, or construction decisions.
Create Clear, Buildable Documentation
- Develop or coordinate floor plans, interior elevations, cabinetry layouts, finish plans, specifications, visual presentations, and other design documentation required for planning and construction.
- Work closely with IHR’s Drafter and project team so design intent is translated into accurate, usable construction information.
- Maintain organized selections, specifications, and design decisions so the team can find the right information when needed.
- Identify unanswered questions, potential conflicts, or incomplete decisions early and bring them forward for resolution.
Collaborate Through Planning and Build
- Work closely with the Project Coordinator, Drafter, Site Superintendent, clients, suppliers, and trade partners.
- Participate in project meetings and site walkthroughs when design input, clarification, or client decisions are needed.
- Learn how design decisions affect construction feasibility, existing conditions, material availability, lead times, cost, and schedule.
- Assist in responding to design questions during construction and help evaluate alternatives when field conditions or product availability require a change.
- Stay connected to the project through completion and help protect the overall design vision.
Grow With IHR
- Bring curiosity and ideas to the continued development of IHR’s design capabilities.
- Seek feedback, build fluency in the design-build process, and take on increasing responsibility over time.
- Contribute to improvements in design standards, presentations, documentation, client communication, tools, and workflows.
- Stay informed about residential design trends, materials, products, and best practices.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who combines strong design ability with the interpersonal skills, judgment, organization, and ownership required to lead residential remodeling projects.
- Residential Design Experience. Experience as a professional interior designer in residential remodeling, high-end residential design, architecture, hospitality, or a comparable design environment is valuable. Traditional design-phase experience is welcome.
- Design Judgment. The ability to create thoughtful, beautiful, functional spaces that respond to a client’s lifestyle, the home’s architecture, and project goals.
- Exceptional Client Communication. The ability to listen carefully, build trust, communicate recommendations clearly, and guide clients through design decisions with empathy and professionalism.
- Technical Design Ability. Experience creating or coordinating space plans, elevations, cabinetry or millwork concepts, specifications, renderings, and other design communication materials. Experience with Chief Architect is preferred. Experience with AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Illustrator, or comparable professional design software is also relevant.
- Organization and Follow Through. The ability to manage multiple design priorities, maintain attention to detail, and follow decisions through to resolution.
- Collaboration. A genuine interest in working closely with project coordinators, drafters, site leadership, consultants, suppliers, and trade partners.
- Curiosity and Growth Mindset. A desire to learn the full design-build process, receive feedback constructively, and take increasing ownership of work over time.
Education and Professional Credentials
- A Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience and a strong portfolio may also be considered.
- NCIDQ certification is valued, but is not required.
Why Join IHR?
This role provides an opportunity to have meaningful ownership while working within an established design build team. You will have support from a Project Coordinator, Site Superintendent, suppliers, and established trade partners while still having significant influence over the client experience and design direction of your projects.
You will also have an opportunity to influence how IHR's design practice develops as the company grows. We want talented people to bring their experience to IHR, not simply conform to the way things have always been done.
- Lead substantial design work on meaningful residential remodeling projects.
- Develop trusted relationships with homeowners.
- Learn directly from the people who plan and build the work.
- See your designs move from concept toward construction and completion.
- Build a path toward greater project and design leadership.
Requirements
- Portfolio required demonstrating thoughtful interior design work in residential.
- Experience as a professional interior designer.
- Strong visual, spatial, and technical design skills.
- Strong client-facing communication skills and a thoughtful, service-oriented approach.
- Demonstrated ability to manage design details, priorities, and deadlines.
- Comfort receiving input and collaborating across design, planning, and construction disciplines.
- Working proficiency with Chief Architect or a comparable professional design platform, with willingness to become proficient in Chief Architect.
- Proficiency with common design communication tools, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, or comparable tools as applicable.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Excel, and Teams.
- Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or a related field preferred; equivalent experience and portfolio may be considered.
- Professional appearance and demeanor.
Benefits
- Hourly: $38 to $46 (DOE)
- Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance (IHR covers 75% of premiums, begins the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment)
- Basic Life Insurance (IHR covers 100%)
- 401(k) retirement plan with Company Match after 90 days: 100% match up to 3%, 50% for up to additional 2%
- 16 days Paid Time Off (accrues throughout the year, available for use after 90 days)
- 10 paid holidays (including office closure between Christmas and New Years)
- Washington State Paid Sick Leave (1 hour accrued every 40 hours worked)
- Continuing education and professional development opportunities
- Full-time, on-site position based in NE Seattle (Laurelhurst area)
- All equipment and software provided
- Coffee & snack bar
- Collaborative, supportive team environment
Application Timeline & Interview Process
We are actively reviewing applications and encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Candidates who apply by August 17 will receive priority consideration. This position is expected to close on August 24.
Our interview process is designed to be straightforward and respectful of your time:
- Initial Screening Video Call – A conversation with our HR representative to discuss your background, the role, and mutual fit
- At-Home Assignment: Complete an assignment based around floor plan layout and mood board creation.
- 1:1 with the CEO – A deeper conversation with our CEO about your experience, goals, and how you’d contribute to IHR
- Team Interview – A final interview with members of the IHR team
We aim to move quickly through each stage and will keep you informed throughout the process.
Interested?
If you are an experienced residential designer who loves great design but also enjoys the people, problem solving, collaboration, and leadership required to bring that design to life, we would like to hear from you.
We are especially interested in designers who want meaningful ownership of their projects, enjoy guiding homeowners through important decisions, and believe that an exceptional remodeling experience matters just as much as an exceptional finished home.
