Interior Designers vs. Interior Decorators, What are the Key Differences?
When you start thinking about creating a space or home that is uniquely yours, and DIY is not an option, you’ll need to hire someone you can trust to bring your vision to life, but who is that person? It’s especially confusing when you see listings for interior designers, interior decorators, and even design professionals. How do you know which one is right for you and your project needs?
The two most commonly hired professionals when it comes to design, are interior designers and interior decorators. (Lauren Winsor of House of Winsor is an interior designer.) To help you get a better understanding of these two types of design professionals, we’ve addressed the most commonly asked questions; what considerations you should know before hiring one or the other, and when to bring one on board. Our goal? Help you turn your vision into the room or home of your dreams with the right person beside you.
What is an Interior Designer?
An interior designer is a design professional who creates custom homes, spaces and renovations that are tailored to the specific needs, aesthetics and desires of their clients, using a thoughtful approach to the build or renovation from day one. To make these visions a reality, interior designers work closely with architects, contractors, and tradespersons.
A designer oversees all aspects of a project, including collaboration on the design and structural features, selecting finish materials like flooring and fixtures, color palettes, fabrics, and the perfect decor: furniture, heirlooms and carefully curated accents. They take a blueprint to books in the bookcase approach. Some interior designers will involve the client in all aspects of the decision making process, while others like House of Winsor, provide turnkey spaces with done-for-you services.
Done-for-You Services
House of Winsor Interiors offers a done-for-you signature service, where we manage all aspects of your project from concept to completion. After getting a deep understanding of your vision and project scope, we collaborate with our trusted partners, to streamline decision-making and remove the project management overwhelm. The result is a turnkey project and a home that you can immediately enjoy for years to come.
What is an Interior Decorator?
An interior decorator is skilled at beautifying a space without altering the overall architecture or structure of the space. They can make minor cosmetic updates like color refreshes, bring in updated furniture, window treatments, and add accents and accessories. Often decorators are called upon to work on a single room or rooms, to change the look or transform a space with use of color, and furniture to satisfy a new need. Interior decorators work closely with furniture makers, upholstery designers, lighting professionals, painters and more.
It should be noted that interior designers may also accept design projects that could be handled by a decorator.
Need a Real Life Example of the Difference Between a Designer and a Decorator?
A client requests additional storage in a new living room. While both consider how it’s going to be used/the functionality, the interior decorator will focus on different furniture options to fit the needs of the homeowner, whereas the interior designer will consider addressing the needs of the homeowner with built-in elements: cabinets or shelving vs. only solving with furniture.
When Should you Hire an Interior Decorator vs. an Interior Decorator?
Hire an Interior Designer when:
-Your project involves building changes to your new or existing space. These may be minor changes such as cabinetry and millwork or larger structural changes such as removing a wall, rerouting plumbing, electrical changes or even adding new windows or doors,
-Your vision requires technical expertise that involves planning and construction management in addition to changing up the decor or colors, or
-You’re building a new home or space from the ground up.
Hire an Interior Decorator when:
-You don’t plan on changing the architecture of a home or space,
-There is room or space that needs a color, furniture, or function refresh, or
-You need professional advice on styling, furniture, or accessorizing.
What Criteria/Factors Should you Consider When Hiring an Interior Designer or Decorator
Whether hiring an interior designer or interior decorator, keep these three things in mind.
Project Scope: If there are any structural needs, an Interior Designer is the best way to go, but if you're only looking for color adjustments or new furnishings choose an interior decorator.
Budget: Have a clear understanding of what you can afford before reaching out to either professional. Project fees for both designers and decorators can vary based on the size, scope and complexity of the request.
Timeline: The last criteria to keep in mind when it comes to hiring an interior designer or interior decorator is your timeline. Projects that don’t require any structural, plumbing or electrical needs, tend to have faster turnaround times. A room refresh could take several weeks to a few months, while full scale design projects requiring structural changes often take six months or more to complete.
What Should You Know or Ask to See Before Hiring an Interior Designer or Decorator?
Aesthetics Make sure your design aesthetics match. Both designers and decoractors approach projects with a distinctive style. This can include: coastal, midcentury modern, traditional, transitional, modern, and more. Find a professional who has a similar style to what you’re looking to achieve or which matches your home or space's current style for optimal success. This can be achieved by reviewing their online portfolio or asking for some images of their most recent work.
Involvement in Decisions: Make sure you and your designer or decorator are aligned on how the decision process will go. Some homeowners want to be involved in all decisions in the design process, making choices alongside their designer. However, if you’re looking to leave the overwhelm behind and have your designer or decorator lead the project, a done-for-you approach is the way to go. It’s important to ask, as some studios only work one way or the other.
Consultation Most, if not all designers and decorators will set up a consultation to gain a better understanding of the project scope, needs and timetable. The consultation is a great way to determine if the designer or decorator is the right fit for your vision and needs. Note: Some designers and decorators charge for a consultation.
While interior designers and interior decorators create beautiful homes and spaces based off of a client’s vision, designers take it a step further by solving it with new construction or renovation work that alters the built environment. In some cases designers may take on projects similar to those managed by a decorator.
Factors to consider when making your choice between an interior designer or an interior decorator are the scope of your needs, the budget, timeline, a match with their design style, and whether you want to be a part of the process or have it all done for you. Keeping these criteria in mind will help you ensure you’ve hired the best design professional to bring your vision to life, resulting in the home or space you’ve always dreamed of owning.
Lauren Winsor is the Founder and Principal Designer of House of Winsor Interiors, a done-for-you interior design and construction management studio in Rhode Island. In collaboration with trusted partners, and tradespeople, House of Winsor creates one-of-a-kind homes that reflect our clients’ unique needs and desires. We serve Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and Coastal Connecticut. Interested in working together? Please contact us to discuss your project.