The Difference between Decorating and Interior Design

Interior Design is a term that is sometimes used loosely and in the wrong context but decorating and interior design, are interdependent, often confused, professions that differ in critical ways. While there is some overlap in interior design and decorating, they are fundamentally different.

Interior Designers artistically and methodically design and re-design spaces that understand people’s behaviour to create functional spaces within a building. However, a decorator will adorn and furnish a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic. An Interior Designer can both decorate and design however, a Decorator simply decorates.

What is an Interior Designer?

The design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process to ensure that a space is used to its up-most potential. Interior Designers create technical solutions within a structure that is not only functional and attractive but also enhance the occupant’s quality of life.

Designers coordinate a building’s shell, by complementing its physical location and social context. By implementing thoughtful, creative, sensitive and timeless design solutions they can enrich a space with high-quality, luxury solutions.

What is a Decorator?

Decorators are focused on just aesthetics. They are not involved with the layout of the construction or indoor area. They are concerned with things such as colour schemes, fixtures, textiles and textures of a space. The aim of decorating is to capture the persona and fashion of the clients and express it in their space.

Interior decorators do not design interior areas, but they beautify existing interior spaces. An interior decorator will select walls paints, wallpaper, fixtures, window remedies, and small decorative details such as throw rugs, lamps, throw pillows and wall artwork.