Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s the Difference?

September 5, 2022


Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s the Difference?

An Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator are two different professions with specific areas of expertise. Although they both help make your home more beautiful, their roles vary greatly. If you’re looking for someone who can transform your living space into a comforting and beautiful space, consider hiring an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator!

What’s the difference between an Interior Designer vs. an Interior Decorator?

The difference between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator is the scope of their work.

An Interior Designer is a professional who plans, designs, and manages the entire process of designing your home or office space. The role includes everything from budgeting to design to overseeing construction; to ensuring that you get exactly what you want in terms of style, colour scheme and material selection.

An Interior Decorator works within these areas but may focus more on adding decorative touches to an existing design (such as furniture).

Interior Designer: Beyond Decorating

An Interior Designer is much more than a decorator. Interior Designers are trained to solve problems, like making a space feel larger or smaller, and arranging furniture and other complementary elements so that it feels balanced and comfortable. An Interior Designer’s knowledge of colouring principles will help establish colour schemes that will suit your preferred style and ambiance.

An Interior Designer can help you with space planning and furniture placement based on your family size and your children’s age if they’re living in the home. Any unique considerations you may have, such as the placement of closets and bathrooms, will be factored into the proposed design solutions.

If all of this seems overwhelming at times, don’t worry! You’re not alone—most people come across these issues at some point when remodelling or building their dream homes from scratch. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional who can help guide you through the decision-making process and provide expert advice.

Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator

Interior Designer: Technical Knowledge & Hands-on Experience

While interior design is a broad term, Interior Designers have a specific set of skills. They work with different tools, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs and 3D rendering software. Interior Designers also have a thorough knowledge of construction techniques and materials for building interiors such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Interior Designers are hands-on professionals who spend time researching trends in the industry by attending trade shows and visiting showrooms to see what’s new in the marketplace for furnishings, flooring, lighting fixtures and other elements that can be incorporated into residential or commercial spaces.

Interior Decorators: Style, Color & Artistic Expression

Interior decorators’ expertise lies in creating a space’s appealing and cohesive aesthetic. They can help you select the right colour scheme, furniture and accessories for your room or home. The key word here is “style”—Interior Decorators will consider your overall vision when helping you choose the right elements for your space.

If you’re considering home remodeling, get in touch with the expert team at Alpha & Omega Design & Build. We provide full-scope Interior Designer and Interior Decorator services to help you take your dream home from concept to creation! We will guide you along each step of your remodeling and provide valuable recommendations and insights on the best materials, colours and arrangements for your unique home design. Learn more about our Interior Design services on our website, or contact us today at 647-330-8383.

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Essential Questions to Ask When Hiring an Interior Designer