What is the difference between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?

Question

I do not want to hear something that makes sense to me. Because aren't interior designers and decorators the same thing I mean. What do designers do any different from decorators. I mean don't designers and decorators both design a room and put up decorations. Please HELP!!!!

Answer 1

When I started school - I was studying interior design so I can tell you there is a difference but normally it seems like they do the same thing.  An interior designer has a formal training such as a BA + a certification through a national interior designer organization, and an interior decorator is just a very creative person who is talented in decorating.

An interior designer takes into consideration aspects such as the architecture of a room (or being the "architect" of a room to achieve a specific purpose or atmosphere), furniture design, colors and then of course the usual decorating too.  Something that an interior designer would do that a decorator wouldn't would be commercial spaces such as a lounge/nightclub and help with the building plans (to achieve a specific atmosphere) or do a public building so that the colors and functionality work together.

Basically they can be as different as you want them to be - but to most people they ARE the same thing.

Answer 2

I think they are the same....like a cook and a chef are the same, right?

Po tay toh

Po tah toh

Answer 3

An interior decorator won't know the building specs, they will simply walk into a room and pick out textures and colors to enhance the space. A designer will work with the architect, know all the building codes and specs, the plumbing specs, things like this. You also must have to have a degree, usually a BA, to be a designer.

Answer 4

Hmm. It seems like design suggests more than decorating. Like - you can buy pillows and new drapes and you've decorated. Or you could blow out a wall, add french doors, crown molding and relocate the stairs and then you're a designer.

Answer 5

The main difference is education.  There are no formal educational requirements to call yourself an interior decorator.  Decorators aim to create beauty in a space. To qualify as an interior designer many states require a combination of education, experience and sometimes examination.  Think of them as creating the spaces that can then be made beautiful.  Interior design education involves extensive study of building codes, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emergency egress, etc.  The process of interior design is technically based.  The process of interior decoration is aesthetically based.