Differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator

Can you tell the difference between a professional interior designer and a decorator?

Often times the terms "Interior Designer" and "Interior Decorator" or simply "Decorator" have been used interchangeably to refer to the same profession. To many, an interior decorator is exactly the same as an interior designer, and they both provide the same design services, work on the same projects and have the same responsibilities and liabilities. However, these are just common misconceptions. No worries, I am here to help clarify the roles of an interior designer and point out a few differences between a designer and a decorator.

Interior Designers:

Interior designers are formally trained professionals with university degree in interior design, who focus on creating aesthetically pleasing, functional and safe interior spaces that meet the needs and preferences of their clients. They have proficiency in various design software, and possess knowledge in building construction. Some of them are members of private professional interior designer association such as ARIDO in Ontario, Canada.

Interior designers analyse the layout of a space and plan how furniture, fixtures, and other elements can be arranged to optimize functionality and flow. They might suggest structural changes like removing walls, adding partitions, or modifying the existing layout to improve the space's functionality. Interior designers develop a cohesive design concept that considers space utilization, colour schemes, materials, lighting, textures, and much more, in order to create a harmonious and visually pleasing design environment.

They oversee the entire design process, including interior decoration, from concept development to implementation. They coordinate with contractors, project managers, trades, architects, engineers and other building professionals when working on projects. Interior designers need to follow building code and regulations to ensure their designs comply with safety and legal requirements.

Interior designers have a much broader scope of work and greater complexity that encompass both the aesthetics and the functionality of an interior space, which can involve things like space planning, layout changes, structural changes, custom furniture, lighting layout, electrical and plumbing arrangement, etc. No doubt, interior decoration is an important aspect of a project for interior designers, but it forms only part of the work involved. They also possess practical knowledge in building construction, and have to adhere to the building code.

Interior Decorators:

Interior decorators focus primarily on the aesthetics and decorative aspects of interior spaces. They tend to work within the confinement of existing structures and layouts, and often do not require formal education in interior design, although some may have training and experience in related fields, while some of them could even be self-taught.

Interior decorators tend to specialize in selecting and arranging furniture, accessories, artworks, upholstery, drapery and colour schemes to enhance the visual appeal of an interior space. They usually work with client's preferences to create a specific style or decor theme. Interior decorators help choose accessories like wallpapers, curtains, rugs, lighting fixtures, and decorative items, etc that contribute to the overall ambience.

Interior decorators have a rather limited scope of work, and are not bound by professional constraints which interior designers must deal with. The work of an interior decorator is more artistic in nature. They primarily focus on enhancing the decorative elements within an existing space to satisfy clients' taste and aesthetic requirements. Usually, they are not qualified to perform other aspects of an interior design project which are more technical, and require special training and experience.

Having a clear understanding on the distinctions mentioned above can help you choose the right professional based on your needs, budget and the complexity of the project.