Interior Decorating vs. Interior Design: Understanding the Key Differences
If you've ever wondered about the difference between interior decorating and interior design, you're not alone. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they each serve distinct roles. Knowing how they differ can help you choose the right professional for your project, especially when you’re aiming for a stylish, functional space tailored to your lifestyle and tastes.
WHEN TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DECORATOR
The short answer: Choose an interior decorator if you aren’t planning on moving any walls! Working with a decorating team like JM Living Concepts is a fantastic option to maximize your investment when you’re happy with the layout of your space but want to improve its visual appeal and make it feel like your home that reflects your life and style.
WHAT IS INTERIOR DECORATING?
Interior decorating is all about enhancing the look and feel of a space. Interior decorators focus on aesthetic elements like furniture, color schemes, textures, accessories, and overall styling to achieve a visually cohesive environment. They work with what exists in a room or building, layering in furnishings and details that create a polished, balanced look. Importantly, interior decorating typically doesn’t involve altering a space’s structure or layout.
Examples of Interior Decorating Services:
Color and Theme Selection: Choosing paint colors, patterns, and themes to create a particular mood or style.
Furniture Selection and Placement: Sourcing furniture pieces that fit your vision, then arranging them for flow and function.
Decorative Accessories: Curating artwork, rugs, and throw pillows to personalize the space.
WHAT IS INTERIOR DESIGN?
Interior design, on the other hand, goes beyond decor to involve the architectural elements of a space. Interior designers consider a room's layout, structural features, and utility in addition to aesthetic preferences. They work on the blueprint level, often collaborating with architects and builders to create spaces that are functional, safe, and aligned with building codes.
Examples of Interior Design Services:
Space Planning and Layout: Designers work on the blueprint of the room, deciding where each structural element will go.
Structural Changes: This could involve knocking down walls, moving plumbing, and installing lighting fixtures.
Building Codes and Regulations: Interior designers ensure that structural and design choices are up to code, with a focus on accessibility and sustainability.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INTERIOR DECORATING AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Scope of Work
Interior Decorating: Focuses on furnishings, decor, and accessories within the room’s existing layout.
Interior Design: Encompasses structural decisions, space planning, and potential renovations that change the space itself.
Investment Considerations
Decorating Projects are usually less intensive and more investment-friendly than interior design projects.
Design Projects often involve larger budgets due to their complexity, including potential construction work, material sourcing, and permits.
Project Timeline
Interior Decorating Projects can often be completed within weeks or months, depending on the scale. For example, JM Living residential transformations can take as little as six weeks from start to finish!
Interior Design Projects usually take longer because they involve detailed planning, construction, and coordination with multiple professionals.
Ready to get started on transforming your space? The entire JM Living Concepts Team is so excited to meet you!