The Difference Between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator

Whether furnishing a home or restyling your existing space, understanding the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator can be confusing. Both focus on making your living area look good but in different ways.

As you may expect, the scope of their work is the main difference between these two professionals. To help you, we’ll break down their responsibilities and we’ll describe how to determine which profession better fits your project needs.

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

You might be thinking, what exactly do interior designers do? Many homeowners don’t understand the specific tasks an interior designer is responsible for. So, below are some of the tasks they typically handle:

Space Planning

At some point, you may consider reconfiguring a room or area of your home to make it more functional. If this sounds like an undertaking you’d be interested in, interior design services are likely the best fit for the job. They will assess your existing space and come up with detailed plans that maximise the layout. Thus, giving you the most efficient use of space possible.

Material Selection and Specifications

Another task an interior designer focuses on is material selection and specifications. It helps you choose the right flooring, walls, ceiling treatments, paint colours, and lighting for your space. They can provide information on furniture size requirements and how many pieces should be used for each room.

Project Management

Interior designers are also involved in project management, making sure everything is running on time. It includes overseeing contractors and supervising the installation of materials. Also, follow up with suppliers to ensure orders are delivered on time and coordinate inspections when needed.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

Another task interior designers are in charge of is making sure everything meets safety and compliance standards. They will ensure that all plans meet local building codes and regulations, as well as inspect the work to make sure it is done properly. Also, they will check all materials used are up to spec and safe for use.

How About the Interior Decorator Doing?

Maybe you’re wondering, what does an interior decorator do? Like interior designers, they also specialise in making your living space look great. However, their services are more limited in scope and typically don’t involve planning the layout. Here are some of the tasks an interior decorator is likely to handle:

Choosing Furnishings, Fabrics, and Accessories

Interior decorators will choose the furnishings, fabrics, and accessories that best fit your space. They often have a vast network of vendors they use to make sure they’re getting the highest quality products for their clients. This way, they can truly customise the look of your home and make it uniquely yours.

Organising Things Like Artwork, Bookshelves

Another task that interior decorators often tackle is organising things like artwork, bookshelves, and other collections. They can also help you ensure all your items are displayed in the most attractive and efficient way possible. It also helps to have an insider’s knowledge of what looks good and how it should be arranged.

Mixing and Matching Materials To Make a Unique Aesthetic Look

This is another area where interior decorators shine. They can use various materials to create a distinct appearance that matches your property. It could include things like wallpaper, paint, fabrics, and more. It’s a crucial decorating step that takes creativity and ability.

Choosing the Right Professional For Your Project

Now that you know more about what interior designers and decorators do, it’s time to decide which one is best for your project. An interior designer can help you organise your area and make it more functional. They can do what decorators can do and also can take care of the structural aspects of a project.

This includes windows, walls, and doors, in addition to helping you choose how best to arrange furniture and fixtures. Interior designers can help you select materials for flooring, countertops, backsplashes and more.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of differences between interior designers and decorators. Knowing which is right for your project is essential to getting the best results. Interior designers specialise in planning and creating functional and pleasing spaces. Also, decorators focus on updating existing spaces with furnishings and accessories that fit the look you’re going for.

If you’re considering hiring a professional to work on your home, ensure you understand the difference between interior designers and decorators before choosing the right one for your project. So consider the above information and make a wise choice that will help you to achieve the perfect look for your home. Good luck!