At a Glance
Both interior designers and interior decorators use their knowledge of art, design, and aesthetics to create visually appealing spaces for clients. However, interior designers and decorators each have a distinct professional scope.
An interior designer takes a structural approach to space, focusing on how an area can be designed from scratch or reconfigured from its original design to meet a client's needs. An interior decorator, on the other hand, focuses primarily on enhancing existing spaces with decorative elements. Can a person work both as an interior designer and interior decorator? The short answer is yes, but be aware of the credentials required to put both of these titles on your resume.
Interior Design: Planning Spaces
Interior designers strive to make living and working spaces functional, safe, and visually appealing. Utilizing a combination of artistic vision and technical expertise, interior designers may suggest removing walls or adding windows and doors—and they also consult on plumbing and electrical wiring placement. Interior designers use computer-aided design programs to draft digital renderings for projects that include new builds, renovations, and building expansions. Collaborating with architects and other construction professionals, interior designers do everything from curating materials to certifying that building and fire codes are met.
Interior Decorating: Enhancing Spaces
An interior decorator primarily focuses on using furnishings and décor to create the overall aesthetic of an existing space. Interior decorators meet with clients to discuss their budget and goals, and then devise a comprehensive decorating scheme that incorporates color palettes, art, wall coverings, window treatments, lighting, and furnishings. Partnering with furniture makers, upholsterers, painters, and other industry professionals, interior decorators blend visual elements within a space to create a cohesive and finished look.
Designers and Decorators at Work
Let's say a medical practice aims to redesign its office space, enlisting the acumen of both an interior designer and an interior decorator. The designer's job would be to draft an innovative physical layout that optimizes the use of the space for both staff and patients. The person in this role might suggest installing windows in the waiting room, adding runners to guide the flow of traffic, or modifying exam rooms to maximize efficiency and privacy. The interior decorator's job would be to add the finishing touches to the revamped space, adding furniture, accessories, artwork, and rugs that complete the overall look and feel.
Education and Training
How does a person become an interior designer or an interior decorator? Many interior designers go to college to earn a two-year or four-year degree in interior design. These programs typically encompass the study of color and fabric and architectural styles, as well as training in computer-aided design, space planning, and furniture design. Depending on their location, some interior designers must also hold a professional license.
Conversely, no formal degree or licensure is required to work as an interior decorator. However, many nascent decorators gain certifications in color and fabric, room layouts, space planning, and furniture styles. These credentials can help these professionals stand out in the industry.
Are you ready for a job that enables you to use your artistic abilities and space planning skills to invigorate the spaces where we live, work, and play? A career in interior design or interior decorating may be a rewarding way to put your creativity and ingenuity to work.
Think about and discuss these questions:
What evidence from the article supports the idea that interior designers and interior decorators must be able to work well with others?
What personality traits do you think interior designers and interior decorators need to have? Why?
Question 1
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Which of the following sentences expresses the main idea of the article?
Interior designers can work on renovating an existing space or design a space from scratch.
Interior designers and decorators must complete various tasks when redesigning medical practices.
Interior designers and decorators use different skills to create practical and visually appealing spaces for customers.
Interior decorators use their unique credentials to stand out among others in their industry.
1 answer
The sentence that expresses the main idea of the article is:
Interior designers and decorators use different skills to create practical and visually appealing spaces for customers.
This sentence effectively summarizes the focus of the article, which is to differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of interior designers and interior decorators while highlighting their contributions to creating attractive and functional spaces.
