Designer vs. Decorator
“Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator”, Created by author using ChatGPT
What’s the difference and does it truly matter?
The terms "interior designer" and "interior decorator" are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two distinct professions with different qualifications, duties, and scopes of work.
Simply put, “Designers create functional spaces within a building, while decorators adorn a space with decorative elements” (Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s The Difference?).
Let’s Clear the Air
Let it be known that I personally believe there’s room in the world for both interior designers and decorators. I simply want to educate on the difference between the two.
Often, “decorator” is thrown around as a negative term, usually to insult interior designers who have gotten an education within that specific field.
However, neither title should be hurled around as an insult because both are valuable in their own ways.
Interior Designer
“Interior Designer”, Created by the author using Midjourney
Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior to create functional spaces within a building, while interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic.
In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.
“Interior design is defined as the professional and comprehensive practice of creating an interior environment that addresses, protects, and responds to human need(s). It is the art, science, and business planning of a creative, technical, sustainable, and functional interior solution that corresponds to the architecture of a space, while incorporating process and strategy, a mandate for well-being, safety, and health, with informed decisions about style and aesthetics.”
Whether it’s commercial, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, or residential design, interior designers are tasked with providing creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive, and a benefit to the occupants’ quality of life and culture (What Is The Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?).
For an interior designer, their projects include detailed research, thoughtful planning, and a knowledge of building codes.
For example, there has been a lot of research around how design elements in healthcare institutions affect patients.
Studies have shown that the recovery of surgery patients who had views of scenery in their room recovered faster than those who did not.
Another study found infants who experienced daylight cycles while staying in a neonatal unit developed their own wake-sleep cycles earlier than those who were exposed to constant, dim hospital lights.
(What Is The Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?)
It’s clear that good design can impact your health and the way you experience each day - while it may be obvious in a healthcare setting, think about the benefits you could experience by applying it in your own home.
Here are the top three distinguishing traits of an interior designer:
Education: Interior design requires formal training, typically from a two-year or four-year program from an accredited school. Education includes the study of color and fabrics, computer-aided design (CAD) training, 3D modeling, drawing, space planning, furniture design and architecture.
Accredited Programs: Professional level programs accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) voluntarily place themselves before the scrutiny of the profession to ensure that students receive an education that will serve them not only during their time at school, but also prepare them for future professional growth. Students enrolled in an accredited interior design program can be confident that the program meets the quality standards recognized by the profession (Accredited Programs).
Credentials: If you see a professional with IIDA or ASID after their name, they can only be a member of those organizations if they’ve received a degree in interior design. To maintain membership, designers are also required to stay up to date on continuing education (CEUs), trends, new products, and updates within the industry.
Some states also require the NCIDQ Certificate, the industry’s recognized indicator of proficiency in interior design principles, to demonstrate their experience and qualifications. Although not required everywhere, many interior designers elect to undergo credentialing and certification to set them apart from decorators (Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s The Difference?).
An interior designer works closely with architects and other professionals to make an interior space functional, safe, and beautiful.
Interior Decorator
“Interior Decorator”, Created by the author using Midjourney
An interior decorator is skilled at enhancing a space using style, color, furniture, and accessories. They work closely with furniture makers, upholsterers, and other home decor professionals to give their clients interior spaces that are visually pleasing.
While no formal education is needed, many decorators have college degrees in other professions. Even though no schooling is required to become an interior decorator, many programs and courses are available. These courses often focus on color, fabric, room layouts, space planning, furniture styles, and more.
Certifications from organizations like C.I.D. (Certified Interior Decorators International) offer coursework and certification to help decorators authenticate their practices. (Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s The Difference?)
Interior decorators are often brought in to spruce up an existing room, and can provide guidance on furniture layout, furniture pieces, artwork, wallpaper, etc. They are great at styling a space and bringing it to life.
Who Should I Hire?
Deciding between a designer and decorator hinges on your project's requirements. For structural modifications like altering walls, adjusting plumbing or electric systems, or installing new openings, a designer is your go-to professional. However, if your space only needs a visual update such as new furnishings, paint or flooring, an interior decorator can handle those tasks with ease.
In the end, choosing the right professional depends mainly on the skills of the particular professional, not the job title. Many designers with formal schooling spend most of their time doing work best described as decorating since it involves no renovation or structural work. And there are just as many professional decorators who, through long experience, can work with contractors and builders in the same way as a designer (Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s The Difference?).
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