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Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s the Difference?

November 24, 2020

Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: What’s the Difference?

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Maybe you’ve been sitting around your home for too long and realized your space is in serious need of some new design changes. And in order to fall in love with your home all over again, you know you’ll need to enlist the help of a professional eye. But you’ve probably noticed that when it comes to people who work in home design, there are different titles—including interior designers and interior decorators—which are often used interchangeably. So which one do you need?

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Design vs. Decorating In a Nutshell

[vc_empty_space height=”10px”]Here’s the thing. Interior design and interior decorating are often mistaken as the same thing. And it’s true that there is some overlap in the two backgrounds, but they are, well, fundamentally different. Here’s why:

Interior decorating

A professional in this role has a goal to make a space as gorgeous as possible while working within its functionality. Think of them as personal stylists. Interior decorators take care of furnishing and beautifying a space in a way that reflects a homeowner’s personality and showcases their style.

Interior decorators concentrate on design elements like furniture, color palettes, textiles, and art—but they don’t usually work with architectural features, exterior elements, or the way a space functions the way an interior designer does. They might recommend changing the layout of a room’s furniture, or updating a home’s rustic farmhouse theme for something a bit more contemporary but are limited when it comes to moving walls, giving a house a better flow or making a bathroom more functional.

Interior design

The pros in this role (including yours truly) dig a little deeper into the psychology of the way people function with the spaces they live in. Yes it’s an art, but it’s also a science. In addition to having a refined eye for design, we understand interior architecture, renovations, and construction processes. They may have extensive construction backgrounds (like myself) in addition to decorating prowess. Interior designers concentrate on proper space planning, and we’re often involved in a renovation or even the construction of a home from the ground up. It’s why we’re often referred to as the design professionals who “move walls.”

In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. We interior designers are passionate about getting a feel for who our clients are and how they want their homes to function. Then, we can implement thoughtful and stunning solutions to drastically improve the home experience of the people who live there. If interior decorators are the personal stylists of the design world, we are the psychology professors . . . who also went to art school.

Working with a Designer vs. a Decorator In Your Home: Which One Do You Need?

Still unsure who you need to help make over your home? An interior designer is usually your best bet because they can help either way. Need to completely renovate your space? An interior designer can help. Just need a refresh of your home’s “look”? An interior designer can still help. But if you’re considering structural changes in addition to an aesthetic makeover—such as knocking down a wall, adding new doors or windows, or moving the location of wiring or plumbing—an interior designer will be your best bet.

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Looking for Austin Interior Designers?

[vc_empty_space height=”10px”]Hiring an interior designer to redo your home is a big deal. But the most important thing is to choose someone who has both the savvy know-how and a jaw-droppingly beautiful portfolio to back it up. At J.Fisher Interiors, we’ve got the building experience and the eye for design to make your home look exactly the way you envision it—and then some! Contact us today, and let’s get started collaborating on your home’s fresh new face.

Contact

J.Fisher Interiors’ studio is located in east Austin. To schedule your consultation appointment, please fill out the contact form or call us at 512.954.0904. We would love to hear from you!

``Working with Jen was fantastic. She was extremely professional and finished on time and on budget. Very creative, efficient, accountable and I love the outcome. I was very pleased with the experience and highly recommend her to transform your home.``
JEFF HOPKINSPROJECT DATE: SEPTEMBER 2015
"Jennifer Fisher has a true passion for interior design, and it is evident in her work ethic. She is a professional with the artistic ability to produce exceptional results. That is why I can strongly recommend J.Fisher Interiors for any decorating needs or projects you may have."
Dean Crassas
"Very professional, reasonable and creative services. Worked within my budget and was always timely on requests and suggestions while meeting the decor selections for my contractors scheduling deadlines. I would recommend J.Fisher Interiors to all of my friends."
Marc Buffkin
The whole experience working with J.Fisher Interiors was excellent. My home looks amazing and there was a nice balance between brand new pieces and the vintage treasures that Jen was able to find. Unlike past experiences with designers, where my budget was ignored, she took great care in working within the budget and delivering a stunning space that I enjoy living in and get tons of compliments on…"
Kevin Warden
"Jennifer is helping us with a full remodel of our house. She has been instrumental in helping us with fixtures, colors, inside and out, our pool remodel, the entire project. She has been extremely professional, available, communicative and has really listened to our feedback and what we are looking for. She has kept our deadlines and budgets on track and really gives us a variety of options to consider. I am so thankful to have her, I do not know where we would be without her!"
Kristina Weiss
"Jennifer jumped in to do a project for our office, and we couldn't be happier with the level of professionalism and skill with which she operates. She got the job done in a timely manner, her pricing was reasonable, and now, our team has been enjoying the space so much more. I'd highly recommend her expertise to other companies or individuals looking to freshen up their space."
NadaMoo Ice Cream
"As a recent divorcee, I rented a condo in a rush and it was a mess -- dark with an odd mixture of colors and styles. Jennifer worked quickly to completely transform the space using cost-effective options that made sense given that I might only be in the unit for one year. In addition to designing the space, she also served as a project manager for the work. She is very dedicated, works quickly and efficiently, and has a very professional and pleasant demeanor. She has a definite style and sensibility but also adapts well to her clients' tastes. I couldn't be happier with the result."
Jeff Binder
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Interior Design Consultation

J.Fisher Interiors’ studio is located in  Austin. To schedule your consultation appointment, please fill out the contact form or call us at 512.954.0904. We would love to hear from you!

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