Design Vs. Decoration

For many, the words decorating and design sound interchangeable. HGTV and other cable TV shows, as well as the DIY movement have made designers look “backwards” because most things showcased on those channels are actually decorating work. However, there is a difference.

Interior Decorators focus on making a space aesthetically pleasing by choosing out coordinating surface materials. Interior decorators concentrate on color schemes, furniture, paint, wallpaper, window coverings, fabrics, flooring, carpeting, basic lighting, and art. An Interior Decorator reviews and measures spaces, prepares room layout proposals, obtains cost estimates, presents samples to clients, arranges and oversees painting, wallpapering, flooring, etc., as well as selects and purchases furnishings and accessories. Decorators cannot make architectural changes in space planning, design permanent built-ins, or provide electrical/lighting plans. No college degree is required to be an interior decorator, and thus literally anybody who has ever decorated their own bedroom can consider themselves an interior decorator.

While Interior design does incorporate all the things a decorator does, it is not all a designer will do. The NCIDQ definition of an interior designer's objective is, "to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public." This means an Interior Designer must be able to: analyze a client's needs, goals, and safety requirements by properly gathering information about the project. They must create both design drawings and construction drawings and specifications in compliance with universal accessibility guidelines and other applicable codes such as the American Disabilities Act of 1981, and the Fair Housing Act. They must work closely with other licensed professionals such as mechanics, electricians, and load-bearing designers (i.e. Engineers). They must explicitly understand flame spread ratings, smoke toxicity, and fire rating classifications and materials, as well as manufacturing standards to know what materials and finishes contain substances such as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). They must be able to do space planning for public and private facilities as well as way-finding (the parts of a space that allows the user to find their way from spot A to spot B). They must follow national, state, and local building codes. They must have an understanding of ergonomics, which is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of a space; as well as knowledge about the quality and quantity of lighting a room requires, and acoustics and sound transmission.

Basically (as according to the American Society of Interior Designers, or ASID) “interior design concerns itself with more than just the visual or ambient enhancement of an interior space; it seeks to optimize and harmonize the uses to which the built environment will be put.” In other words, a decorator focuses on aesthetic appeal; while a designer focuses on the optimization of a space in its totality.

How does it affect you? If you want to completely restructure a room based on proper space planning, remodel, change the configuration of the walls, choose materials based on their attributes, and have somebody who supervises construction, that’s when you go to a designer. If you’re looking for simple changes, such as choosing which new wood flooring to use instead of carpet, or ideas on how to build your new wall unit in your living room, you can choose a decorator. (It’s cheaper, but depending on circumstances you might still want a Designer for information on sound acoustics in the space, etc.)

Another huge difference is the type of work a designer can do. 99% of decorators will work only in the Residential field. However, for the interior designer there is a vast array of fields one can work. These include, but are not limited to:


* Entertainment - Entertainment design brings together the use of interiors, lighting, sound and other technologies for movies, television, videos, dramatic and musical theater, clubs, concerts, theme parks and industrial projects.

* Facilities Management - A facilities manager develops schedules for building upkeep and maintenance, addressing safety and health issues and lighting and acoustics needs. A facilities manager also plans and coordinates office moves or expansions, and serves as project manager during construction or renovation.

* Government/Institutional - A government designer is familiar with the very specific needs and requirements associated with working with government agencies, such as military bases, federal buildings or government offices. An institutional designer focuses on projects such as child care, educational, religious, correctional and recreational facilities, fire and police stations, courts, embassies, libraries, auditoriums, museums and transportation terminals.

* Health Care – Health care designers create environments for hospitals; clinics; examination rooms; surgical suites; mobile units; hospice care homes; nursing, assisted living or long term care facilities; or any other health care environment.

* Hospitality/Restaurant - Hospitality design focuses on environments that entertain or host the public, including nightclubs, restaurants, theaters, hotels, city and country clubs, golf facilities, cruise ships and conference facilities.

* Office - Office design focuses on the public and private areas utilized by corporate and professional service firms.

* Retail/Store Planning - Retail design and store planning concentrate on retail venues, including boutiques, department stores, outlets, showrooms, food retailing centers and shopping malls.

Many businesses hire designers to make a business work more efficiently. All interior designers must go to a FIDER accredited school, intern for a set number of years and then pass an examination called the National Council for Interior Designers Qualifications (NCIDQ) exam. Then, and only then, is it legal for an Interior Designer to call their self an interior designer. This means that if one hires an interior designer, one can be sure that they know what they are doing. However, interior designers must also have a basic knowledge of law, in order to keep from being sued in times of unexpected mishaps brought about by unexpected sources.

Many people are not aware that there is a difference between the two. However, as one can see, a designer is much more educated and knowledgeable about more topics than many decorators are. To call a designer a decorator is an insult to their education, and experience. Many interior designers are trying to change their title to Interior Architect for this reason. So when I’m working on a project and people ask me how my “decorating” projects are going; I tell them that I’m still working on space planning but once I start choosing Materials and Finishes, I’ll let them know.