Many people use the words Interior Designer & Interior Decorator interchangeably. However, they are not one and the same, who knew! To make it easier, I wrote out a few quick details to help explain the difference 😃.
Who are they? Interior Designers
Interior Designers are the people who most likely went to school and received a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. Many have also put in countless hours of studying to pass the NCIDQ exam (National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam) and gaining professional experience. Interior Designers are the ones who can help with electrical drawings, have computer-aided design (CAD) training, and can help you determine if you can move that pesky wall or not.
Who are they? Interior Decorators
Interior Decorators do exactly what their title says, they decorate. They help clients choose a color scheme, style, purchase furniture, and accessorize their space. Interior Designers may decorate, but Decorators may not design. Whew, that’s a mouthful. What I like to say is an Interior Decorator is your personal stylist for your home.
Who is best for you?
When choosing who to work with, it’s important to identify what exactly your goals are for your space. Do you want to knock down a wall, add a window, or have complete structural and electrical changes to your home? Well, then an Interior Designer and other construction professionals are the right choice for you. But, if you want help choosing furnishings, lighting, paint/wallpaper/flooring, or furniture placement then go ahead and hire an Interior Decorator.
Some of you may know that I studied Advertising in college so I did not receive an Interior Design degree, but making homes beautiful is what I love. I have noticed a correlation between Advertising and Interior Decorating myself. Advertising is all about making products or services beautiful and desirable to the eye to be marketable, and isn’t that what you want your home to feel like? Well yes, you’re not marketing your home to the public, but in my mind you’re marketing your home to the one that truly matters here: you.
