The Difference Between Interior Design & Interior Decoration. Which Do I Need?

Whether you’ve been inspired after watching a marathon of HGTV’s home makeover shows or just spent so much time at home during 2020 that you’re bored of looking at your space, you’ve decided it’s time to spruce up the style of your home.

There are many different ways to create a new beautiful home interior. However, you need to determine exactly what you want to accomplish before you get started.

Are you looking to simply change the aesthetic of your home, or do you also want to change how it functions? The answer to that question will determine whether you are looking to do interior decoration or interior design.

At Satin & Slate, we have an expert team of designers that bring our customers’ visions to life by transforming residential and commercial spaces. Though we are an interior design company, we often hear customers confuse interior design with interior decorating.

While there is some overlap between the two concepts, they are actually two completely separate practices. It’s important to know the difference between the two so you can seek out the service that will best accomplish your interior aesthetic goals.

In this article, we discuss the difference between interior design and interior decoration so you’ll know which is better suited for your project.

Pippen Living Room III

What Is Interior Design?

Interior design uses a systematic approach to improve both the functionality and attractiveness of a space. An interior designer creates a setting that is not only nice to look at, but also that enhances the experience of being in that space.

For example, taking an older bathroom and transforming it into a contemporary spa-like space to relax and get ready for the day is an interior design project.

What Is Interior Decorating?

Interior decorating is the process of incorporating decorative elements into a space to achieve a certain aesthetic. The sole purpose of interior decorating is to change the visual appearance of the inside of the home.

An example of interior decorating is home staging, or dressing up a house that is for sale with different furniture, lighting and decorative elements to make it look as appealing as possible for potential new buyers. Though the interior of the house looks different, it is merely just the same space that has been accessorized.

Interior Design: Pippen Open Concept Dinning & Kitchen

What Is The Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Decorating?

Interior design is a more complex process than interior decorating as design goes beyond just what the eyes can see. Design also involves space planning as it has to take people’s behaviors into consideration to develop a space that is both useful and beneficial to the occupants.

Interior designers often work directly with the architect and builder, while interior decorators generally come in after the structural design part is complete to do the finishing touches on a space. Some interior designers may decorate, but interior decorators do not design.

Do I Need An Interior Decorator Or An Interior Designer?

To determine which service you need, consider what will need to be done to your home to accomplish your design goals.

  • If you are looking to simply change the surface look of your space, then you will want to look into interior decoration.
  • If you are looking to make structural changes, such as removing a wall or adding windows, then you will need an interior designer.

When you are looking to take your home from ordinary to extraordinary, the Satin & Slate design team can help make your design dreams come to life. Contact us today for more details. We look forward to working with you!

About Us:

Founded in 2017, Satin and Slate is one of the elite interior design studios in Southern California. Located in Long Beach, this dedicated team of designers oversees from kitchen and bathroom renovations to commercial projects. Equipped with their own showroom/studio they can satisfy the needs of any client. Featuring clean lines, bright colors and fresh ideas Satin and Slate’s mission is to bring your vision to life and help transform your space into something extraordinary.

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