Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator

The two terms designer and decorator seem to be used interchangeably but there are some significant differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator. 

An interior decorator is someone with a knack for accessorizing, combining colors and patterns and has a keen sense of style.  They generally do not have education in the interior design field though they may have taken a class or two.  I have met some decorators who excel at making spaces look great!  Decorators have a place in the market that's for sure. 

In my comings and goings over the years, I run into a lot of people who say, "Can you help me figure out my living room?  I have no clue what I'm doing."  When I meet with them to see the mess I assume they've created because they talked themselves into a ditch about their talents, I find that most people really do know what they're doing.  With a little tweak here and there, it looks great.  Don't second guess yourself when it comes to decorating your home.  There's a decorator in all of us...tap into that.

An interior designer is someone who may or may not have a knack for accessorizing, combining colors and patterns but do typically have a sharp eye for detail and style.  Most importantly, a designer has education; typically 4 years worth and more.  They can have a general, broad education or specialize in a certain field of work just like a doctor.  There are kitchen designers,  health care designers, office systems designers and the list goes on. 

A designer's education is very much like an Architects in fact, a designer can do everything an architect can do with the exception of calculating loads; snow loads, shear walls, the technical stuff.  A designer learns all the principles of good design, space planning, fire codes, building codes and codes for the disabled.  We learn it all and the time spent in school is far more difficult and intense than one may think. 

I am a designer specializing in space planning.  Sometimes, using an interior designer to design your home and office makes more sense than going straight to the architect.  Architects can be pricey.  If your budget is tight, you can often get the space planning and other drawings done by a designer then just pay the architect for the technicalities and it will save you a ton of money in the end.  A designer will work with contractors and other subs to see the construction of your home through. 

So, as your need for design help increases, keep in mind the subtle differences and get the most out of your money!