If you’re about to tackle a home makeover, you may be wondering if you should hire an interior designer or an interior decorator, and what the difference is between the two. Here’s a breakdown from an interior designer who specializes in everything from new builds to remodeling to thoughtful styling.
The short answer
An interior designer plans and reshapes how a space functions, including layout, lighting, cabinetry, finishes and coordination with contractors and building systems. A decorator focuses on the finishing layer: furniture, color, textiles and accessories. Decorating is one part of what a designer does.
Interior design is a blend of creativity and technical know-how.
It’s all about understanding the needs of the people who will use a space and then redesigning and elevating the space to be both functional and visually stunning. Interior designers aim to enhance how people experience the spaces where they reside, work, engage, relax, and restore.
On the other hand, interior decoration is about making a space look attractive.
Interior decoration is a subset of what interior designers do–the final touches that bring a room to life.
Designing a space involves much more than just adorning a space with finishing touches.
If you ask any interior designer about this, you’ll likely hear some frustration about the confusion between the two roles. Yes, interior designers do decorate. It’s an essential part of what we do at ASR Design Studio, and personally, I love it. I call it thoughtful styling.
Many people are familiar with this decorating aspect thanks to “home makeover” shows on HGTV or DIY projects they find on Pinterest and YouTube. You see transformations made from picking out bedding and updating wall colors.
However, the critical difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator is the range of expertise.
It’s like comparing a chef to a home cook. Both prepare food, but the chef brings specialized techniques, a deeper understanding of ingredients, and the ability to elevate the meal into something exceptional.
Think of decorating as the icing on the cake–the pretty parts. Interior designers, however, dive into the nitty-gritty details of a space long before the decorating phase. Interior designers work with clients to understand all the important details of their home, then develop custom concepts, plans, and functional layouts to meet those requirements.
Our interior design process often includes:
- Design meetings
- Creating room layouts
- Determining cabinetry specifications
- Making material and finish selections
- Custom sourcing
- Creating construction documents
- Reviewing cabinet layouts
- Installation oversight
- Preparing detailed drawings
- Coordinating with contractors.
Interior design is truly a full service experience approach.
From concept to completion, we craft interiors that are as efficient as they are beautiful. This extensive interior design process includes collaborating with contractors, and developers, evaluating sources, creating concepts, designing detailed plans, evaluating practicality, budget management, executing procurement, and overseeing installation.
Because of these extensive considerations, interior designers usually have more education and experience. We’re knowledgeable about design styles, layout planning, color theory application, building methods and industry standards, selection of materials and finishes, as well as residential codes and safety compliance guidelines.
The role of an interior designer is much more comprehensive and more often, you’ll find people in the field who have elevated their expertise through training and experience so they can call themselves interior designers. Head to our about page to learn more about our experience and how we can help you with your interior design project.
If you’re a homeowner, busy family, or a first-time buyer looking to remodel, build from the ground up, style a room, or even just refresh the furniture in your space we strongly encourage working with an interior designer. Most home projects involve more than just decorative elements, and a certified interior designer with extensive experience can help you consider every detail to achieve the best results.Learn more about working together by filling out a Project Inquiry Form.
From challenge to solution
Hiring the wrong professional for your project can mean paying twice. Here is how to tell which one you need.
01 · THE CHALLENGE
Hiring the wrong expert
Homeowners planning a remodel sometimes hire for decor only, then discover nobody is handling layout, lighting plans or construction details.
02 · OUR APPROACH
Matching the role to the scope
We look at whether your project changes walls, plumbing, electrical or cabinetry, or just the finishing layer, and bring the right expertise to each.
03 · THE RESULT
A space that works and looks finished
Function and aesthetics are solved together, so the room is both beautifully styled and built to suit how you live.
Frequently asked questions
Designers handle space planning, construction details, lighting, finishes and coordination with trades. Decorators focus on furnishings, color and accessories.
If your project involves remodeling, new construction or changing layouts, hire a designer. If you only need to furnish or refresh a room, a decorator may be enough.
Yes. Decorating is part of an interior designer’s scope, so a designer can carry a project from floor plan through final styling.
Keep reading
- Why Hire an Interior Designer: 4 Reasons
- Who to Hire First: A Contractor, an Interior Designer, or an Architect
- 8 Designer Benefits During Construction
- Project Gabilan Reveal: An ADA Bathroom Remodel
- What it’s actually like to work with ASR Design Studio — from first call to final reveal
Fall in love with where your life unfolds.
ASR Design Studio is a full-service residential interior design studio based in Escondido and serving San Diego County. We specialize in renovations, new builds, furnishing and thoughtful styling, blending our signature modern coastal style with the way you actually live. We take on a limited number of clients each year so every home gets our full creative attention.
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