Difference Between Interior Designer and Interior Decorator

 Often the work of an ‘Interior Designer’ and an ‘Interior Decorator’ are swapped. They are mistaken for the same jobs and interchanged. Though they have certain similar roles, they are completely two different professions and have discrete functions. And it is a must for the customers to know who does what and whom they need?

Don’t scratch your mind! Here, this blog will discuss in detail the essentials that a customer needs to know before contacting a designer or a decorator.

Interior Designer:

Interior Designer is the one who according to the customer’s needs understands and transforms a building into a functional and aesthetic place to live. Interior design is the art and science of studying and enhancing the structures like walls, floors, colours, spaces and more into a safe functional living or working place. For better understanding, designers also work with the architecture with the design of the building. Interior designers tend to work closely with the constructors and builders, so they naturally learn about the plans, materials and most of the building process. Also, an interior designer can be an interior decorator as an interior decorator does not essentially need any permit or certification to work, unlike designers.

Qualities of an Interior Designer:   

Ø  A professional interior designer needs to obtain a license to practice. It requires formal schooling and training.

Ø  A good designer will have research skills, be creative with good visionary and organizational skills.

Ø  He often works with the architecture to plan and design the inner space. Must know the blueprint.

Ø  Designer must have a better knowledge of the building and its construction.

Ø  He also works closely with the contractor to help and achieve the look the customer expects.

Ø  He must possess analyzing, programming, cost estimation, inspection and problem-solving skills and make a building look physically, socially and aesthetically utilitarian.

Ø  Some of their basic training includes CAD (computer-aided design), furniture types and design, drawing, ergonomic, colour, texture, metal fabrication, space planning and many more.

Ø  Nowadays modern technologies allow virtual designing of the living areas to be planned, finalized and thereafter to be constructed.  

Ø  As they are familiar with spatial planning, they help in renovation designs, initial floor plans to the final décor.  

Ø  Must coordinate with other professionals like painter, plumber, carpenter, electricians and others.

Ø  Must follow rules & regulations, sustainable environment requirements and building codes.

Ø  He also goes with creative artwork, window treatments, flooring, lightings and decorations.

Ø  A good interior designer tries to fulfill the client’s needs and must complete the project on time.

Ø  Maximum efficacy of place, time, money and aesthetic sense is catered.

Interior designing is regarded as a multifaceted profession but not all interior designers can be specialized in designing all places. Some designers are specialized and experienced in commercial building designing, some in residential sectors and some in renovations. The client must check and carefully look for the interior designer who can particularly design his office, home, hotel, hospital, institution, retail or any other interior space and go for it. A good designer not only enriches the look but also escalates the functionality of the place. 

Interior Decorator:

Interior decorators need not be only professionals like interior designers, they can be self-taught decorators. At times, they can be specialized in particular areas like flooring, window treatments, home staging or furniture. Decorators’ work starts as soon as the construction work of a place is complete. He/she only focuses on the art of decorating and furnishing the place to make it more attractive, sophisticated and utilitarian. Interior decorators won’t plan or design the building instead, they enrich the already built place with accessories.

Qualities of an Interior Decorator</H3>:  

Ø  Basically, interior decorators are specialized in furnishing, colour palette, wall and floor materials, space planning, lighting, use of accessories and the principles of design.  

Ø  Unlike interior designers, interior decorators do not work with architects and constructors.

Ø  They at times collaborate with the interior designers but generally, decorators act individually.

Ø  So, designers don’t use the blueprint or the layout of the building. They either take up a portion to decorate or the given area.

Ø  They work with the clients, come up with accessories and styles to remodel or update a place entirely.

Ø  Decorators have the knowledge of paint, artworks, upholsteries, fabric choices, furniture, colour and space planning.

Ø  The decorator concocts new colour schemes for furniture, wall, floor and adornments to splash an aesthetic appeal of the room or furniture.

Ø  The accessories commonly include lamps, wall art, sewers, throw rugs and throw pillows.

Ø  An eye for details and an experienced decorator will come up with the accurate colour of lighting in fixtures and ambient lightbulbs.

Ø  Decorators use modern technologies like 3D renderings, mood boards and designing software to create innovative decorations.    

Ø  C.I.D. (Certified Interior Decorators International) certification offers coursework that authenticates the interior decorators’ expertise and practices.

Interior decorators are the one who does aesthetic changes while working within its functionality. Interior designers can decorate and design, whereas an interior decorator can only decorate. Even though no proper education is needed, certain courses, certifications and programs are taken up by designers to widen the horizon and to catch up with the trend. The interesting fact is that decorators work largely in residential places than in commercial sectors.

Whom do you contact now? Interior Designer or Interior Decorator?

By now, you must have known whom to call? If it concerns structural modifications like renovating a room, removing a wall, adding or removing a door or window, moving wiring or plumbing work, it generally calls for an interior designer. He is the one who knows the blueprint of the place and can rearrange, remodel or build new things. But if it regards paints, lightings, furniture, wallpapers, window treatments and accessories that do not involve any structural changes, then you must contact an interior decorator as it calls for aesthetic help. And be wise to pick a professional and well-experienced hand that fits your ideas and needs.