Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator

Do you know the difference?

THE DIFFERENCE…

Interior design is the science and discipline of understanding the psychology of people’s behavior to create functional spaces while adhering to local building codes. Decoration is furnishing and accessorizing a space with fashionable items. While an interior designer may decorate; decorators do not design. Interior designers solve creative and technical challenges to improve function and use, while improving an occupants’ quality of life and culture. Interior designers spend countless hours of research and follow a systematic and coordinated methodology.

THE ENTHUSIAST…

While mainstream magazines, “decorating” TV shows, and consumer Apps can offer inspiration, they are also are not fully transparent resources and it’s easy to get stuck in a “design vacuum”. Example, there is a beautiful room that you are drooling over, and while you may have access to some of the products, you will have no way of estimating everything else that encompasses the space like construction materials and the trades people to make it all happen – hence designing in a vacuum. A well seasoned interior designer will apply real time cost to a landed design to make sure your budget is aligned prior to ordering anything or trades people are retained. It’s also easy to get over assorted, trying to make every part of the design amazing, which could lead to too many ideas causing visual paralysis.

THE HOBBYIST…

Everyone loves decorating! There is nothing more satisfying than having a creative outlet. If you like occasionally purchasing accessories and you have a flair for it, then by all means continue to enjoy yourself. Decorating can also be a great source of “retail therapy” for people that enjoy following trends and enjoy it as a hobby. For those of you that have the financial means and don’t have the time to sort through countless websites, please take advantage of a professional interior decorator or interior designer.