Are you planning to redecorate your home and unsure who can help? Before you start comparing portfolios and design styles, it’s important to understand what type of professional you need. Many homeowners wonder: Should I hire an interior designer or an interior decorator?
Many homeowners believe these two terms are synonymous, but interior designing and interior decorating are not as similar as you may believe. Though both fall into the same category, there are a few key differences that separate the two.
Interior Decorator
Education
As suggested by their names, the main focus of interior decorators is on the decorative details of your home. They provide an artistic eye and a flare for creating design magic in your home. Since you don’t need to have a degree to unleash creativity, interior decorators don’t require a standardized education to provide their skills. However, most interior designers do undergo some sort of training program, just to polish their creative skills.
Special Skills
Decorators specialize in transforming a space through visual design. They excel at:
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Choosing and arranging furniture
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Selecting décor and accessories
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Developing cohesive color schemes
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Styling spaces to reflect your personal taste
When Should You Hire an Interior Decorator?
When should you bring in an interior decorator? Well, you need to bring them in when you need to completely redo the design of your home in a totally chic and savvy way. They will take your design dreams and bring them to life. If you don’t know where to start, an interior decorator will sit with you and learn more about you to create a design scheme they feel matches your personality.
Interior Designer
Education
The path to becoming an interior designer is a little harder than an interior decorator. Interior designers need to undergo formal training and education, ranging from two to four years. In some states, interior designers also have to pass an exam and get registered.
Special Skills
Designers can handle décor, but their expertise is deeper and more structural. They work closely with architects and contractors to ensure a functional and beautiful outcome. Their strengths include:
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Space planning and layout adjustments
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Integrating architectural features
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Coordinating structural changes
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Ensuring designs meet functional and aesthetic goals
For example, if you want to incorporate a floor-to-ceiling glass window, an interior designer ensures it’s structurally sound, aligned with the room’s layout, and cohesive with your overall design style.
When Should You Hire an Interior Designer?
Designing a home is a tough job, and you can’t always leave it up to your architect to make the right decisions in terms of style and convenience. It is close to impossible for you to stand with your architect or contractor and explain each and every detail of how you want your house to look, especially when you don’t know quite what you want either. Interior designers can handle the day-to-day dealings of your home with the architects and contractors, and design your dream home from your vision.
Who Should You Hire?
To determine which professional best fits your needs, ask yourself:
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Are you planning structural changes or layout updates?
If yes, hire an interior designer. -
Are you primarily updating décor, colors, furniture, or lighting?
If yes, an interior decorator is likely all you need. -
Do you prefer someone with formal training and credentials?
If yes, choose an interior designer.
Before committing, be sure to review portfolios, read reviews, and meet with the designers or decorators whose styles resonate with you. You’ll be collaborating closely, so finding someone who understands your vision and who you genuinely enjoy working with, is key.
Contact Romanza Interior Design to get the design of your dreams from one of our award-winning interior designers.
