Interior Design or Interior Decorating - What’s the Difference?
Image Source: Design & Style to Love
What’s the difference between interior design and decorating?
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether to hire an interior designer or an interior decorator, you’re not alone. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they mean different things, and understanding the difference can help you get the right help for your home.
Let’s break it down.
Interior Designer: Function First, Then Style
An interior designer is trained in spatial planning, renovations, construction, and the functionality of a home. Design takes into account the bones of the space - things like layout, flow, lighting, structure, and how a room works for the people using it.
Interior designers often work alongside architects, builders, and tradies. We consider how you live and how the space needs to perform. We’re involved in decisions such as:
Space planning and flow
Electrical and lighting layout
Kitchen and bathroom design
Renovation material selections
Project management for renovations
Think of interior design as the strategy and function behind a beautiful room.
Interior Decorator: Style, Finishes, and Personality
Interior decorating is all about the look and feel - choosing colour palettes, soft furnishings, art, accessories, and the decorative items that bring a room to life.
A decorator won’t typically move walls or plan your kitchen layout, but they’ll make it look beautiful once it’s built.
They’ll help with:
Choosing paint colours and wallpaper
Sourcing furniture, curtains, cushions, rugs and lighting
Styling a room for ambience or staging
Creating moodboards and colour palettes
So, Which Do You Need?
If you’re doing a renovation, reworking your floor plan, or want help making big decisions with layout, trades, or design direction - you need an interior designer.
If you’re happy with the bones of your home but want help choosing pieces, finishing the look, or creating a mood that fits your lifestyle - an interior decorator might be the right fit.
Of course, at Design & Style to Love, I blend the best of both - helping you design a home that works and feels amazing.
Bonus: What I Do as Both
At Design & Style to Love, I offer:
Interior design consulting: including layout, colour advice, and design decisions
Styling and decorating: sourcing and styling everything from cushions to curtains
Renovation support: guiding you through the design process, managing trades, and keeping things stress-free
My popular Interior Design Snack™ session: 2 hours of design help, perfect if you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just need another set of eyes
Ready to create a home you love? Get in touch to start planning your project.