Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator – Who is Best for You?

January 17, 2023 By Larisa McShane
Choosing the best design professional for your project can be the difference between a successful home renovation and a disappointment. Read more and understand who is an interior designer vs. interior decorator – who is best for you.

Are you thinking of making changes to your home? Do you have a vision in your mind’s eye you’d like to make come true? Changing your living space to suit your individual style and the way you live can be fun and exciting, but also confusing. That’s why turning to a qualified expert for guidance can be the difference between a home renovation project being a success or an expensive disappointment.

Two professions in the world of home renovation are interior designer and interior decorator. While their names sound similar and there can be overlap in what they do, there are important differences. The education, training, certifications, and services they offer can be vastly different. Which professional is the best choice for your home design project?

In this article, we’ll cover the differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator and how to determine which of the two will best help you realize your dream.

Interior Designer

An interior designer goes through extensive training – usually a degree program from a university – to learn spatial design, architecture, construction and CAD (computer-aided design) to design floor plans. They often have advanced degrees in interior design, architecture or engineering.

Interior designers may work with architects or developers on new building projects, however, when it’s an existing home in need of renovation, an interior designer can often serve as the architect. They are able to not only fulfill the homeowner’s desires and budget but to ensure the functionality and accessibility of space as well as satisfy local building and safety codes.

Once the building and renovation part of the construction is complete, an interior designer can also decorate the new space. With the benefit of familiarity with every aspect of the project, plus connections with contractors and tradespeople, an interior designer can manage a project from soup to nuts: from the first sketches, through construction, to finishes, furnishings and colors right down to the pillows on the sofa. When you hire an interior designer, you are getting a knowledgeable, qualified expert who can handle every aspect of your project.

Interior Decorator

An interior decorator, on the other hand, works within an existing space to improve its appearance, efficiency, and flow. They can draw up floor plans, research and suggest finishes such as flooring, wall colors, lighting, furnishings, and accessories.

While an interior decorator will take into consideration how a client uses or wishes to use a room and can make it more functional. they will focus on the appearance and aesthetics of a space. They do not make structural changes.

Often interior decorators aren’t required to be licensed or credentialed, have relevant education or advanced degrees or even a degree at all. In many areas, anyone can call themselves an interior decorator. Skill and experience can vary widely, which is why thoroughly researching the qualifications of any interior decorator you are considering hiring is important.

When to use an interior decorator

If you simply want to refresh your living space with new furniture and accessories, wall colors, or lighting then an interior decorator is an appropriate choice. Keep in mind that most interior designers are also qualified to address your home’s aesthetics.

When to use an interior designer

Choosing whether to hire an interior designer versus an interior decorator comes down to whether you are thinking of making changes to the structure of your home: modifying room dimensions, moving walls, adding doors or windows, changing wiring or plumbing, or any other renovations that involve construction. If the answer is yes, then an interior design firm such as Larisa McShane and Associates has the knowledge and experience to make your dream come true.

Larisa McShane and Associates is an award-winning full-service interior design firm in Villanova, PA. For more personalized ideas, call us to schedule our signature personal style discovery at 610-772-0445 or “contact us” to schedule a consultation.