Interior designer vs decorator

WE often engage the services of a professional for certain jobs. When it comes to designing the interior of a place, be it a home or an office, we call in an interior designer. But sometimes, this may be confused with an interior decorator.

Many if not some people tend to associate or confuse “interior design” with “room makeover” or DIY (do-it-yourself) projects on Pinterest. But in reality, this falls into the realm of interior decorating. While decorating is key in creating functional, beautiful living spaces, the job of an interior designer is different from a decorator in many ways despite the seemingly overlapping of their roles.

In the simplest way of explaining it, interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior to create functional spaces while interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorations to make the space appealing. To put it another way, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

An interior designer adheres to a methodology to satisfy the needs and resources of the client. This would entail research and analysis to arrive at a desired result.

Such professionals are challenged with applying creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants’ quality of life and culture. Designers must respond and coordinate with the structure and acknowledge its physical location and social context. By implementing the appropriate solutions, they can create spaces that greatly improve the experiences of the people who occupy them.

Interior decorating, on the other hand, is furnishing a space with things to make the surroundings attractive. It takes into consideration style inspiration, the color scheme, the texture of the used accessories while working within its functionality, but that is the extent of their role.

Simply put, there is more to interior designing than merely decorating. Because of the complex nature of the profession, those who aspire to be interior designers enroll in a program at the tertiary level that would lead to a degree. Upon graduating, they must take a board exam, which will lead to a license to practice (provided they pass). Interior decorators, on the other hand, require no formal training or license.

A professional interior designer must understand interior architecture and closely collaborate with architects to design the interior space. Interior decorators work with the existing space. In addition, interior designers must also adhere to code and regulatory requirements along with architects and engineers. In contrast, interior decorators are not required to familiarize themselves with these codes though they must still be mindful of the materials they use for safety considerations.

So the next time you need a professional to help make changes inside a home or office, know whose services you specifically need.