When it comes to a house and decorating its interior, some of the most important things to keep in mind include being aware of the ins and outs of interior decorating as well as interior designing. Wait, isn’t interior designing the same as interior decorating? No, they are not the same. Interior designers and interior decorators are two professions that are often used synonymously. Interior designer vs interior decorator: let us learn the differences. An interior designer makes functional spaces by mixing elements of design in them, while an interior decorator furnishes or adorns a space with decorative elements. Let us list some other specifics which make them two different professions.

INTERIOR DESIGNER VS INTERIOR DECORATOR: HOW TO BECOME ONE?

Traditionally, i.e., by learning and earning degrees and diplomas. Most design institutions offer interior designing courses that offer a lot of exposure to the students along with the learning process. You can earn a three-year, two-year or even one-year degree or diploma in interior designing and start your career as a professional interior designer. A typical course will include learning interior designing techniques, the study of colours and materials, illustrations and even furniture design and architecture. 

Interior decorating, on the other hand, does not necessarily require a formal degree but there are courses and certifications available for it as well. If you want it to be easier for you to get a job as an interior decorator, then we recommend you to do a course on it. Mostly, a degree in a related field, like interior designing courses or other types of designing and planning courses, will also help you in establishing a career in interior decorating.

CAN ONE ACT AS THE OTHER?

An interior designer can offer decorating services as well since most elements of interior designing will involve decorating the space apart from making it perfectly functional. An interior decorator, however, may not act as a designer if he does not have a proper degree for the same. The latter works more with elements and items that beautify a place while the former works with the entirety of making a place functional as well as beautiful. 

TASKS INVOLVED: INTERIOR DESIGNER VS INTERIOR DECORATOR

An interior designer:

• uses art, creative and technical aspects within a structure to achieve the desired interior in a house or building.
• does spatial planning of a house and may even renovate existing interiors. 
• enhances the physical and social function of a space along with its looks.
• draws virtual plans and conveys them to the construction team to build the design. 
• may also have interior decorating skills and offer decorating services on top of the designs.

An Interior decorator: 

• focuses primarily on upgrading the aesthetics of a space which usually does not involve renovations or structural planning. 
• helps the clients decide on the styles, choose colours for decorative items or wall paints and purchase furniture and accessories for their houses or spaces. 

• is an expert in deciding the addition of which elements will make the space aesthetically more pleasant. The elements may be furniture, wall-hangings, rugs, paints and other types of decors to a space
• can visualize what things would make a space look better. 

WHO DO THEY WORK WITH?

The job of an interior designer involves collaborating with architects and construction workers. The designers convey the design plans to the latter who then build it accordingly for the client. Some interior designers may work directly with clients.

The job of an interior decorator often starts after the job of an interior designer or architect ends, in the case of a new space. While if a space needs updating, then the decorators work directly with the homeowners or business owners. They might partner with furniture makers, painters, upholsterers and other business owners who make home decor items.

WHICH PROFESSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

In this battle of interior designer vs interior decorator, it might seem difficult to choose one of them as a career. It depends upon you based on the type of tasks you like. If you want a role that is similar to an architect, then you should go for interior designing. You will need to update yourself with contemporary interior designing skills after earning a formal degree. Based on the amount of time you want to spend doing the course, you can choose between the various courses offered by design institutes. Most institutes even organize campus placements for their students. 

An interior decorator can work with house owners or even business owners. If you choose interior decoration, you do not mandatorily need a degree and do not have to deal with the technical aspects like drawing a virtual plan. You can also choose what you would like to work in: residential spaces, commercial spaces or other temporary spaces like sets used in media. An interior decorator who works specifically with magazines, television and other visual media by adding, editing or collating items without any structural alterations is known as an interior stylist. 

These are the major differences between the two professions which should give you an overview of your future when you choose any one of them as a career. Note down the pros and cons of becoming an interior designer vs interior decorator so that you know which profession you are more inclined towards. It is necessary to know the difference between interior designer and interior decorator clearly so that neither a student nor a client ends up mistaking one for the other.