What Is Interior Decoration
Interior Decoration is the art of decorating a residential or commercial space according to a clients personal style and taste. Unlike designers, decorators need not have an education or professional certification.
Both work to accomplish design goals, but interior designers may also partner with contractors to change structural elements. On the other hand, Interior decorators focus on only the visuals of a space.
There are vast differences between the two professions. As you decide on which kind of assistance you need while planning changes for your space, you will understand the distinct features.
Now let us understand the difference between Interior design and Interior decoration with the help of the work of Interior Designer and Interior Decorators.
So How Is Interior Design Different From Interior Decorating
May 19, 2021 by Lisa Leagueinterior decoration, interior design
There was quite a bit of web chatter over Thrive Mag’s article I’ll Tell You One More Time: Decorators Aren’t Designers. Because the magazine’s URL may have violated a trademark belonging to another business, and the website was subsequently taken down.
Interior Decorator Schooling Requirements
Since interior decorators dont deal with renovations or structural planning, formal training isnt technically required for this particular field of design. That being said, it would be a huge mistake to assume that you shouldnt get a proper education, all the same!
After all, if you havent been formally trained, how can you possibly know what youre doing?
Having professionally-recognized training under your belt will increase your chances of booking clients for your independent business, being hired by a design company, and standing out from the competition overall!
To set yourself up for the best chances of success, its strongly advised that you obtain an interior decorating certification. Many reputable design schools will offer courses that focus specifically on interior decorating, and thus, will be perfect for you.
Often, these courses are much shorter than an interior design program. For instance, QC Design Schools leading online Interior Decorating Course provides you with a full 2 years to complete your program. But since its self-paced, you can graduate much, much sooner.
For instance, if you were to devote a mere 1-2 hours per week to your studies, you could graduate from your course and earn your professional certification in as little as 3-6 months!
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On Architects And Interior Designers
Architects: dont call yourself an architect unless youre licensed. No, for real, its illegal. Also, dont shy away from working with designers. They specialize in the psychology of space.
Interior Designers: dont be elitist. You need to know when to open your arms to interior decorators, and architects. Interior Designers work with many other professionals because it’s impossible to control every part of a project. Also, its your duty to educate! If someone calls you a decorator, they disrespect the field of design by not recognizing its vast sea of qualities. But they probably don’t know any better. Instead, you can help them by explaining what Interior Designers do.
What Is The Process Of Working With An Interior Decorator
Working with decorators is a hands-on process. They present clients with multiple options, mood boards, and get their clients feedback in order to finalize the decor. The next step is shopping, either in person or online to select the pieces that represent their client. After the final selections are made, a decorator organizes the transportation and installation of all the furnishings. Theyre often the ones doing the actual project install.
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Interior Designer Vs Interior Decorator: Which One Is Right For You
There is no question that interior designers and decorators are both valuable members of the design community. That being said, the differences between an interior designer and decorator are significant enough for each to have their own distinct roles within the industry.
An interior designers unique position on the design spectrum makes them particularly well suited for projects with a wide range of design needs, from designing complex renovations to reimagining the design elements of existing space and offering recommendations for improvement. An interior decorator, on the other hand, is more suited to projects that are more aesthetically driven, with less emphasis on the functionality or technical elements of design.
The key takeaway is that both an interior designer and an interior decorator can play significant roles in improving the flow, function, style, and aesthetics of an individual space.
What Schooling Does An Interior Designer Need
To become an interior designer, you need to have a formal education. This two- or four-year program teaches you about space planning, architecture, color, and furniture design. Many interior designers apprentice with registered designers after graduation to gain experience. For example, I have my BA in Studio Art and a Masters in Architecture. After graduation, I began working in the interior design field right away and gained years of experience before opening my own firm.
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So Should I Hire An Interior Decorator Or A Designer
Hiring a specific one between the decorator and designer depends on your requirements and the projects youre going to complete.
Listen, if youre wondering about including changes to the whole structure of your dream house, taking assistance from interior designers has no better alternatives.
On the other side, when youre thinking of changing the decoration, color scheme as well as the lighting of your residence, feel free to call an expert decorator. He/she is highly capable of completing those tasks within no time!
What Does An Interior Designer Do
You are likely better acquainted with the word interior designer, and that is the most popular term for describing somebody in this area with licensure to do the formal work.
Interior designers may work on a construction or refurbishment project in a number of ways. There can be a wide range of approaches for different practitioners. Interior designers typically engage in all areas of interior space preparation and completion. They are also concerned with the sculpture, aesthetics, accessibility of work, and movement of the spaces in which we live.
Their main responsibilities or duties are:
- The rooms color palette
- The arrangement of structures and accessories in the room
- Wall and floor finishes
- Range of toilets and furniture
- Light design
See also Life of an Interior Designer
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Academic And Professional Qualifications Of An Interior Designer
Interior architecture is one of the fields requiring systematic training and formal education of interior designer vs interior decorator. This includes painting, construction of furniture, CAD school, design & colors, architecture & more understanding of the functionality of space planning proper education from the national council of interior design. After graduating, designers also take internships with proper interior designers to gain experience for their own future and business.
A talented interior designer has experience or expertise in space architecture and has to look at surface finishes and aesthetics with unbelievably artistic and innovative effects because they have formal training and formal education from interior design qualification institutes like NCIDQ.
You would require a degree, foundations degree, or Apprenticeship in order to become a licensed interior designer. Employees in the industry choose skills on related subjects such as architecture, fine art, furnishing design, spatial design, furniture architecture, garment design, and 3D design.
Most countries required you to complete those tests after graduation through designers who label themselves professionals. You will only become real designers when your name is registered by the Governing Council like NCIDQ. There are also many countries in which such a rule is not in place. Therefore, before you start your study, it is advisable.
See also Interior Design Certification
What Do They Do
Interior decorators work with their clients to establish their likes, dislikes, color preferences, and budget in order to develop and update their current space. Once a decorator understands the look their clients want to achieve, they begin sourcing the soft furnishings. This includes selecting colors, furniture, fabric, rugs, wallpapers, and accessories to create an inspiring atmosphere.
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What Are The Educational Requirements For Interior Designers And Decorators
Interior designers typically have a Bachelors degree, and it usually is in some field related to designing spaces. That could be an actual interior design degree or something related to architecture. An interior decorator might have a degree, but it isnt a requirement.
They can take training, usually via adult learning classes or from product vendors. The key to being a good decorator is having a sense of taste, aesthetics, and décor as well as being able to merge them and make them all work together.
What Is The Process Of Working With An Interior Designer
Lets describe an ideal scenario for the Laura U Design Collective. A wonderful client has just purchased a home in need of extensive renovations or is planning a new construction project. They contact us immediately. We discuss their style, passions, what brings them joy, how they want their home to functionall the little details. Through the process we build a relationship with the client, which is important because some projects take years to complete!
When construction begins, well make frequent site visits and participate in the construction process. The initial construction phases are technical and require a trained eye. An interior designers formal education and training ensures the space plan, structural details, and design elements are executed properly. Being there in the beginning stages and understanding the materials used is essential. We get a feel for the build team, who are our partners for several months.
Once the build out is complete, we begin with the decorating portion: painting, furnishings, and final touches. We design and build many benchmade furnishings for our clients, and it takes weeks for these items to be completed. Its a full-time job in itself to manage the logistics of getting all the elements together in time!
From the initial drawings to placing the last accessory, interior designers are involved in the entire process.
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Should I Hire A Designer Or A Decorator
Who you should hire depends on your needs. If structural changes are needed , then generally an interior designer is the better choice. Designers can help plan for significant structural changes and help make them happen by working directly with architects and builders. On the other hand, if there are no structural changes needed but you need aesthetic helpdeciding on a style choosing wallpaper, paint, and furnishings picking window treatments, and choosing lighting and accessoriesan interior decorator will probably do the trick. Experienced decorators know what works together and can transform a room to suit a client’s needs and desires.
In the end, however, choosing the right professional depends largely on the skills of the particular professional, not the job title. A great many designers with formal schooling spend most of their time doing work that can be best described as decorating since it involves no renovation or structural work. And there are just as many professional decorators who, through long experience, are perfectly capable of working with contractors and builders in the same way as a designer.
On Being An Interior Designer
Being an interior designer involves more personal interaction and deep psychological understanding.
Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.
The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodologyincluding research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative processto satisfy the needs and resources of the client.
CIDQ
Beginning with CIDQ’s definition of interior design, a second rebuttal article outlined the author’s feelings on the assumption of many that interior design is no more than decoration.
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What Is Interior Designing
In order to find the Difference between Interior design and Interior decoration, we need to understand what is Interior Design. Interior Design is the art and science of beautifying the interior of a building to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. This process is called Interior designing.
An Interior Designer is someone who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages such projects. The expert has to have good knowledge and experience in the construction industry.
Should You Paint A Room All One Color
Painting your home in one color is considered ideal for flowing color from room to room, and is the best reason for using one color throughout your home. It can be less expensive to have just one color painted or sprayed throughout a home, and professional painters often recommend it for that reason.
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Which One Should You Choose
Ultimately, which type of professional you decide to hire is a matter of personal preference. If youre on the fence between the two, weve compiled a list of questions to help you sort out which pick is right for you. Read them over before making any hiring decisions:
- Are you planning to make any structural or functional changes, or want to explore if its an option?
- Are you planning on redoing a room like a kitchen or a bathroom, where functional fixes, such as plumbing changes might be more difficult to navigate? Or, somewhere like a bedroom or living space where you may need to change the way you live in the room?
- How important are education and credentials to you?
- Are you looking for someone who can manage the project from top to bottom?
One thing to keep in mind: Every decorator and designer is different. You should research individuals in your area to see what services they offer. As always, we recommend that you do your best to look over design portfolios, read reviews, and get your questions answered before deciding whos the best fit for the job.
Which One To Hire
The best person to hire for an interior design project depends largely on what the project involves. If you’re building a new home, adding on a room or doing extensive remodeling, you’ll need the expertise and knowledge of an interior designer, whose primary focus is on designing safe, functional and aesthetically pleasing living environments. You’ll also have the advantage of working with the same person or design firm through the entire project.
If you’re planning a complete makeover of a living room or bedroom or even an entire floor in your home, you might be able to save money by hiring an interior decorator. A decorator can’t move walls but he takes a bare-bones or outdated room and completely transform it with new colors and textures on walls, floors, furniture and light fixtures.
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The Difference Between Interior Design & Decoration
Many people use interior designer and interior decorator interchangeably, but the two professions are very different.
Interior design is the science of understanding behaviors to help property owners create a functional room within a building, including the shapes of a rooms walls, floors, and more. A professional interior designer must understand interior architecture and works closely with architects to design the interior space. The expert handling the interior design project has to have a good amount of experience within the construction field. Interior decoration or decorating, on the other hand, is the furnishing of a space with beautiful or fashionable things. It takes into account the style inspiration, the color scheme, the texture of the used accessories while working within its functionality. For example, an interior decorator may recommend changing the layout of the furniture. In other words, decorators are hands-off in the design process, whereas interior designers may design and decorate.
Check out our infographic below to learn more about the difference between an interior designer and interior decorator.
Laura U As An Interior Decorator
My approach to interior design is about finding whats beautiful and beloved, and surrounding our clients with those things every day. Each interior design project is client-centric and site-specific. We thoughtfully mix furnishing and accessories in a way thats bold, contrasting, and timeless.
This is where our role as interior designers and interior decorators collide. Our goal for any project is to curate spaces that are a beautiful reflection of whats most important to you. Each project is designed to last and be enjoyed for generations to come.
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So Why Hire An Interior Decorator
Interior decorators come in handy when you need to aesthetically take a room to the next level. A lot of the clients we work with have tried to decorate their spaces on their own but were dissatisfied with the final product. Just like we said in our last post, sometimes Pinterest boards and Target just dont cut it!
What Does Interior Decorator Do
Interior decoration is generally a smaller part of the interior design industry. Interior decorators are often referred to as decorators or interior stylists.
Interior decoration is the decoration of a room to create an artistically pleasant appearance or a makeover. After the structural plans and renovations have been finished, a decoration unit usually takes place to produce a seamless look on the room in the social context of the project. Decorators can help customers pick color schemes, helps in picking accessories, and select furnishings for internal or external areas.
Decorators can generally not deal with other people like builders or architects, because decorators will not be employed until the interior building has been completed of a new home or a renovated one, but they will collaborate with furniture companies, upholstery designers, window coverings, etc.
These practitioners combine a new idea for the interior without changing the layout of the room fundamentally. Typically your doors, windows, toilets, and kitchens like functional spaces are untouched. Either furnishing pieces, lighting, soft decorations such as textiles, carpeting and accessories, works of art, toppings, and curtains, should be included. Without even full renovations, interior designers transform and upgrade your room.
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