What is an Interior Decorator?

What is an interior decorator?

Many people ask me, “what is an interior decorator? Isn’t that the same as an interior designer?”. With many people using the terms “interior designer” and “Interior decorator” interchangeably, I want to be another one to clear up what it is that decorators do and what they are, as a profession.

What do decorators do compare to designers? A decorator’s job differentiates from a designer, on a few things. Designers not only take in the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building but also think about public safety, building codes and the more in depth information.

Interior Decorator definition as stated from SFGate.com, “Interior decorators choose the paint color for your wall” and “Interior decorating deals with the look and feel of a room by adding accessories like drapes and rugs”. They are the professionals that mainly focus on the aesthetics of a space or spaces and dress up a space. With that said, decorators also begin a job with a broad concept of style from the client they are working with. They take that concept and style and put together color selections, textures, and patterns together, depending on what the client prefers. Redecorating a room or updating an existing area, falls under interior decorating as well.

An interior decorator as a whole is a great professional to work with when redecorating a residential area but are rarely ever called to come and do commercial design projects, like lobby’s or business offices.

So overall, interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design, because it is not part of their toolkit.