Interior Decorating vs. Interior Design: What's the difference?

Are you planning on revamping the interiors of your home, but feel like you could use a little help? Well, you must have started your research and have come across terms such as interior designer and interior decorator. Wondering what’s the difference? This guide is set to put all your interior designer/decorator dilemmas to rest. After reading this blog, you will know exactly what you were looking for all along. So, let’s get started!

What’s the confusion all about?

While interior designers and interior decorators are often mistaken as the same thing, these terms are not interchangeable. There are quite a few similarities between the two jobs, but the distinctions exist based on schooling, credentialing, services, and clientele.

Who is an interior designer?

An interior designer works closely with architects to create functional, safe, visually appealing indoor spaces. In collaboration with clients to develop design concepts, such a professional determines the colours, materials to be used, and lighting.

Background of an interior designer:

Schooling: Interior design requires specific education and formal training since the work involves the study of colours, fabric, computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, furniture design, and architecture among other aspects. After completing graduation, designers go for an apprenticeship with a registered and established interior designer before launching their interior design service.

Credentials: There are some states where an interior designer is required to pass an exam and get registered with a governing council. However, there are also quite a few states that do not require credentialing. So, it is a good idea to find out whether or not credentialing applies in your state.

What do designers do: Interior designers primarily focus on spatial planning and help clients design and renovate their home or office interiors. They are proficient with drawing initial floor plans and placing the last decorative accents to add their magic touch! As a result, designers enhance the look and functionality of a space.

Who designers work with: Designers mostly work with architects and contractors to help clients achieve the desired look for their living space. Be it a hotel, house, office, or any other kind of interior space, a passionate interior designer is willing to assist you with it all!

Who is an interior decorator?

An interior decorator is highly skilled at beautifying spaces using colour, style, furniture, and accessories. They work a lot with furniture makers, painters, and various other home décor professionals to enhance the decorative aspects of a space to make it visually appealing to clients.

Background of an interior designer:

Schooling: As opposed to an interior designer, an interior decorator does not need to have a formal education or training before he/she begins practicing. It is so because a decorator focuses on aesthetics, and not on the structural planning of a space. An interior decorator’s work starts after the structural planning and execution are completed. While many interior decorators have a college degree, it is not mandatory to become a professional.

Credentials: While one does not need schooling to become a professional in the field, there are various programs and courses that can help people learn and enter the field with developed skills. Such courses help students learn about the various aspects of interior decoration such as colour, fabric, room layouts, space planning, furniture styles, etc. Pursuing a course will help authenticate your practice.

What interior decorators do: Talented decorators have the knack to turn an ordinary room into a beautiful and functional space. They are great at helping clients choose a style, colour scheme, furniture, and accessories. Interior decorators are also brought in to spruce up a space that needs to be revamped.

People they work with: Unlike interior designers, decorators do not work with contractors or architects as they are not involved in the structural planning. However, they work with painters, furniture makers, upholsterers, and often work directly with homeowners or business managers.

Should you hire a designer or decorator?

The answer to this question should be strictly based on your needs. If you are planning on remodelling the structure of your house or office such as removing a wall, adding new windows, or moving the plumbing around, an interior designer would be the preferred choice. On the other hand, if there is no intention of making structural changes, but you wish to enhance the aesthetics of your house or office, then a decorator will be able to help you with choosing wallpaper, paint, furnishings, lighting, and accessories. Experienced decorators know what works and what doesn’t. Hence, they can quickly gauge a client’s taste and needs and transform a space to fulfil client’s desire. So, choose a reputable interior designer or decorator who has sufficient experience and have a good look at their portfolio, so that you can select a professional who shares the same taste in interior designing and decorating as you do.