The terms interior designer and interior decorator are often used interchangeably as if they were the same thing but there is a big difference between the two. It’s important to understand the different roles each type of professional assumes in order to ensure you choose the right person for the job. An interior designer performs many more duties and has more responsibilities than a decorator, so let’s take a closer look at the difference between the two.

Interior Decorators

An interior decorator can help you create a beautiful home or office by working with you to choose the right furnishings and accessories to create the type of environment you’ve always wanted. The decorator is the one that makes the room come to life. She can match colors and patterns together perfectly and she can take a dull, boring room and turn it into a beautiful oasis.

Decorators can help you choose the perfect paint or wallpaper, she can help you choose drapes and pick out furniture. She can even help you choose the best light fixtures, wall art, flooring and appliances to create a beautiful and functional living space or office. She has a great eye for detail and the ability to help you capture your style and personality through your décor.

However, a decorator will not take part in any remodeling that requires walls to be moved or adding on rooms for more space. You won’t need any official training to become an interior decorator but taking classes can be beneficial and help further your career.

Interior Designers

The interior designer is qualified to do all the jobs that a decorator does, plus a whole lot more. The decorating is just a small part of her responsibilities. She’ll work closely with the client from the beginning planning stages until the project is complete and she’s often in charge of hiring the construction team, electricians, plumbers and choosing the suppliers needed for each job. Therefore, a designer needs to be available to supervise the entire project.

An interior designer is required to be familiar with all the latest technology associated with interior design and they must have a license. It’s her job to bring the client’s vision to life while creating a fully functional environment that meets all building codes along with all the safety regulations and guidelines.

Designers help to create interior spaces to meet the specific needs of the client and decorators furnish and choose décor for the interior spaces created. A designer can perform the duties of a decorator but a decorator is not qualified to assume the role of a designer.

Now that you know the difference, you’ll know whether to choose an interior designer or interior decorator the next time you plan to remodel, decorate or build a new structure. Hiring the right professional for the job will make a difference. If you do need a designer, hiring the individual or team of designers at the beginning of any major project will help to ensure the job is completed in a timely and efficient manner.