INTERIOR DESIGNER VS. INTERIOR DECORATOR

Designer By Any Other Name. I often get asked what the difference is between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Because designers are not yet licensed by the state of California, even those within the profession cannot fully agree upon the terminology of an interior decorator and an interior designer. Actually, it is not really important what a designer calls himself or herself. What is important, however, is the fundamental difference between the two professions.

INTERIOR DECORATOR
An interior decorator will work with you to select a color scheme, a style and a layout for your rooms. They will help you with wall coverings, window treatments, carpets and upholstery, and they will show you appropriate furniture for your home. A decorator may or may not have any formal college training. What they do have, however, is a natural creative talent for decorating interior spaces.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS
An interior designer is always a decorator. In addition to that, however, they also redesign spaces. They are trained to develop a master plan and look at the possibilities of a space in the context of the master plan. An interior designer has had formal college training, knows the building codes and has had a great deal of experience within the construction field. They do space planning and remodeling, but they are not architects or contractors.

ASID, IIDA, IDS, CID, etc.
These are accolades given to professional designers by several of the design societies. Each organization has their own qualifications for professional membership, but generally speaking they all require formal education, five or more years in business, an evaluation by their peers, and the passing of a two-day test. Only then can they use the accolades after their name.

An interior design professional takes their job very seriously. They realize that they are doing more than just decorating your homes and making it a healthier place to live. They are also helping you to protect and make the most of your investment.