The Differences Between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator (2024)

So you've decided to change the interior look of your space and realize you need help. You begin looking for professionals but notice some are "interior designers" while others are "interior decorators." Suddenly, you have new questions: "What's the difference?" And more importantly, "Which one do I need?"

Interior design and interior decorating are often mistaken as the same thing, but the terms are not entirely interchangeable. There are many similarities between the two jobs, and many opinions vary on where to draw the distinction. They mainly vary by schooling, credentialing, services, and clientele.

What Is an Interior Designer?

An interior designer often works closely with architects and other professionals tomake an interior space functional, safe, and beautiful, with additional expertise in developing floor plans and using design programs.

• Schooling: Interior design is a profession that requires specific educationand formal training. The work involved usually includes studying color and fabric, computer-aided design (CAD) training, drawing, space planning, furniture design, architecture, and more. Upon graduating, designers often apprentice with a registered and established interior designer before launching their companies.
• Credentials: In some states and provinces, professional designers are required to pass an exam and become registered with a governing council (which one will dependon what country and state/province they are in). However, there are just as many locations where no credentialing is required. So it's a good idea to find out the situation in your area before starting your search.
• What they do: Designers are comfortable with spatial planning and can help design and renovate interiors—from drawing up the initial floor plans to placing the last decorative accent. Designers don't just enhance the look; they also improve the function of a room.
• Who they work with:Interior designers often work closely with architects and contractors to help achieve the look the client desires, whether that client is designing a residential home, an office, a hotel, or any other interior space.

What Is an Interior Decorator?

An interior decorator is a professional skilled at beautifying a space using style, color, furniture, and accessories. They work closely with furniture makers, upholsterers, and other home decor professionals to create interior spaces that are visually pleasing to their clients.

• Schooling: Interior decorators aren't required to have formal training or education before practicing professionally because they focus primarily on aesthetics and don't participate in renovations or structural planning. A decorator comes into the picture after the structural planning and execution are completed to focus on the space's surface appearance. Many professional interior decorators have college degrees in related fields, but it is not a requirement for the profession.
• Credentials: Although 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.
• What they do: Good decorators are skilled at entering a room and whipping it into visual shape. They can help clients decide on a style and color scheme for new spaces, purchase furniture, and accessorize. They're also often brought in to spruce up an existing space that needs to be updated or redone.
• Who they work with: Decorators don't generally work with contractors or architects since structural work is usually completed before they come on board. However, they work with furniture makers, upholsterers, and other industry professionals. Most often, though, they work directly with homeowners or business managers.
  

How Are Interior Decorators and Designers Paid?

Most interior designers and decorators charge hourly for their consultations, visits, development of decor presentations, and finally, transforming the space, according to an agreement with their residential or commercial client. Others may charge a flat rate or a commission based on the total project cost.

Hiring an interior designer or decorator usually costs 10% to 45% of the project cost, which is the total cost of the materials, furnishings, and any contractor fees. On average, an interior professional adds 25% to the costs. Depending on the project's scope, fees can range from $1,500 to $15,000 or more.

Should I Hire a Designer or a Decorator?

Who you should hire depends on your needs. If structural changes are needed (such as removing a wall, moving plumbing or wiring around, or adding new windows or doors), an interior designer is generally the better choice. Designers can help plan for significant structural changes and help make them happen by working directly with architects and builders.

On the other hand, if no structural changes are needed but you need aesthetic help—deciding on a style, choosing wallpaper, paint, and furnishings, picking window treatments, and choosing lighting and accessories—an interior decorator will probably do the trick. Experienced decorators know what works together and can transform a room to suit a client's needs and desires.

In the end, however, 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.

How to Hire an Interior Decorator or Designer

When hiring a professional, clearly understand your needs and look for a pro with a proven reputation for meeting those needs, no matter the formal job title. Generally, designers are responsible for space planning and structural execution, while decorators are responsible for final aesthetic decisions. But don't be afraid to cross lines to hire a decorator with a reputation as a good designer or a designer with a flair for decorating, provided their skills are proven.

Ask to see a portfolio of the decorator or designer's finished projects. Get references and ask about their credentials, years of experience, and partnerships that the designer or decorator has that may play in your favor. The most crucial factor is choosing the decorator or designer who understands you and your aesthetic and will deliver on what you like and not what they prefer,

Ask about timelines, keep to a budget, and understand the decorator or designer's process from beginning to end. Learn if the decorator or designer will do the work or if they will hire a subcontractor to finish the space. Agree on a fee schedule so you are not shocked by how you will be charged.