When do I use a designer, decorator or architect?

ONE of life’s many conundrums is which type of professional you need to call on to help you transform your home. Is it a decorator, a designer or an architect?

In a world where job titles and descriptions are becoming increasingly vague, it’s tough to sort through all the noise and work out who you’re gonna call (and it’s not the Ghostbusters).

As a decorator and stylist myself, I’m often asked to conduct work outside my area of expertise, so the confusion is definitely (and understandably) present.

Below I’ll get you all clued up on who you need for the type of home transformation you’re after – as well as share what makes each professional so unique.

Help: I need my living room/bedroom/nursery/office made over

Need new carpet and paint in your living space? Want someone to source furniture and decor that will make your bedroom shine? Maybe you have a baby on the way and want to create a nursery that’s fit for a mini queen or king.

This is where an interior decorator comes into the mix. Expert in colour, texture, pattern and how they all intermix, an interior decorator is a makeover wizard. They know all about which room layout will work best and how to create a space that functions properly.

They also have a rolodex of all the best wholesalers to source furniture and decor from to put into your home.

What they don’t do: Generally, a decorator won’t do more intensive redesigns, like a kitchen reno or bathroom remodel.

Help: I want a new kitchen fit-out, my bathroom remodelled, or my home’s layout reconfigured

You’ve had an old kitchen for years and you want a brand new one. Or perhaps you want to knock through a bedroom wall to create a walk-in wardrobe. This is where you call in an interior designer.

Interior designers tend to work more technically than decorators do, using programs like computer-aided design (CAD) to create and examine floor plans. They’ll also prepare drawings for builders to aid them in the construction process, and can advise on elements like knocking down and rebuilding parts of your home.

What they don’t do: An interior designer can’t build your home from scratch, and for the most part they won’t design your outdoor space. That’s what you call an architect in for.

Help: I need a home built or my existing home gutted

An architect is the clever cookie who manages the over-arching design and construction of your home. They create the entire shell and its permanent components. They oversee the entire process of your home build from start to finish, and are masters at turning your design concept into a reality.

An architect will also help you set a budget for your build and guide you through the town planning process. They’ll manage people like surveyors and engineers for you, and inspect the work carried out.

What they won’t do: Architects are experts when it comes to design and construction, but you won’t need one for a home makeover or even a remodel.

In my own work, I often come across interior designers who are great with drawings, but aren’t amazing at picking colours for a room. Likewise, architects can build your home but they probably can’t tell you the difference between a viscose cushion cover and a cotton-polyester blend. It’s not fair to say that one professional is more qualified than the other. They are qualified in completely different skill sets. If you’re building a home from scratch, you might actually need the help of an architect, designer and decorator. But for smaller jobs, an interior designer or decorator will do.

It’s always best to work out what you need, call your preferred professional, and ask them what they’re qualified to do for you.