Difference between Interior Design and Interior decoration

Interior design and interior decoration are two terms people often use interchangeably, but do we truly understand the difference? Which one is better? Who is responsible for designing, and who focuses on decorating? 

Today, I’ll break down these two concepts, highlighting their similarities, differences, and the pros and cons of each.

While they may overlap in some areas, interior design and interior decoration are distinct fields. 

Interior designers focus on ensuring safety, health, and overall well-being within a space, whether it’s a home, office, or public area. Their job is to reduce risks, which is a huge responsibility that often goes unnoticed.

On the other hand, interior decorators are not primarily responsible for safety or structural considerations. 

Many people mistakenly assume both roles are the same, but they serve different purposes. 

Since people spend about 90% of their time indoors (yes, that’s a fact!), the design of a space can significantly impact their daily experiences. From reducing hazards like fire risks and poor air quality to enhancing productivity and comfort, interior design plays a crucial role in shaping how we live and work.

Interior designers play a key role in shaping how people experience a space by maximizing positive interactions and reducing potential risks. 

Their work goes beyond just making a space look good, they focus on functionality, ensuring that a space serves its intended purpose effectively. While aesthetics are important, designing purely for looks falls under the role of an interior decorator, which we’ll discuss more later.

A common question is: What exactly do interior designers do? Their job involves space planning, which means organizing a room to improve its functionality. 

They also consider health, safety, ergonomics, acoustics, efficiency, environmental impact, and building codes. 

Many designers also handle styling and decorating, but their primary focus is on creating spaces that are both practical and safe.

To work as an interior designer, formal education is often required, meaning you may need to attend college or university. 

In some states, additional steps are necessary, such as obtaining a license or registration to legally offer interior design services. 

While some interior designers also work as decorators, the reverse is not true, an interior decorator cannot legally take on the role of an interior designer. 

Decorators focus solely on enhancing the look of a space, working with existing layouts to improve aesthetics. Their work includes selecting textiles, furniture, and accessories to create a visually appealing environment.

Interior decorators focus on furnishings, textures, colors, and accessories to enhance a space’s aesthetics. 

While their work is generally less complex than that of an interior designer, it can still be challenging. 

Decorating a room without altering its structural elements requires creativity and skill to achieve a well-balanced and visually appealing design.

Unlike interior designers, decorators do not need formal certification to practice.

 However, learning the fundamentals of design and decoration is essential for creating harmonious spaces. While attending school is not required, decorators can take courses or earn certifications to enhance their credibility. 

Gaining knowledge through self-learning and hands-on experience is key to growing a successful career in interior decorating.

One of the most exciting aspects of interior design is the flexibility to transform spaces. Designers can make structural modifications such as tearing down walls, relocating windows and doors, or changing flooring to improve both functionality and aesthetics.

 Personally, I love the creative freedom that comes with designing custom spaces that go beyond surface-level decoration to shape the actual structure. 

Another great aspect of interior design is the opportunity to collaborate with professionals like architects and builders, ensuring that spaces are both beautiful and practical.

Engineers play a crucial role in large scale interior design projects, and working alongside them provides valuable learning opportunities. 

However, one downside of being an interior designer at least for me is that you won’t be designing all the time. While creating stunning spaces is the dream, the job also involves less exciting tasks, such as managing material orders, searching for the perfect furniture piece from store to store, and working within a set budget. 

No matter how incredible your design is, if it exceeds the client’s budget, it won’t be practical so balancing creativity with financial constraints is essential. These less exciting aspects of the job are what I consider the least glamorous part of interior design.

On the other hand, interior decorating is often seen as more enjoyable and stress-free. It’s hard to disagree because selecting décor pieces and styling a space to make it look beautiful is truly fun. 

Since decorating focuses on enhancing an existing space rather than designing it from the ground up, it is usually a quicker process. If you love seeing fast results and prefer projects that come together quickly, interior decorating might be the perfect career choice for you. 

Not everyone can be an interior decorator. I believe it takes both talent and a strong drive to learn how to design and style a space properly. After all, why would anyone hire you if you don’t bring value to the table?

One major reason decorators enjoy their work is the hassle-free nature of the job. Unlike interior designers, architects, and engineers, decorators don’t have to worry about building permits, home inspections, city bylaws, or government regulations. This makes the workload generally lighter compared to interior designers.

However, a downside to being an interior decorator is the limitation on how much you can change in a space. 

Since you can’t make structural modifications, it can sometimes feel frustrating. This means you need to assess whether a project aligns with your skills or if it requires an interior designer instead. That said, many clients specifically seek out decorators when they want to enhance a space’s appearance without altering its structure. In these cases, you are the perfect fit for the job.

In the end, both careers are incredibly rewarding for those passionate about interior design and decorating. I hope this post helped clarify the differences between the two.