While building a new house or just trying to redecorate the current home, one very important aspect people face is decoration. After the architecture work is completed, one needs to look into decorating it from the inside to make it feel like a home and a reflection of your personality. For this, there is a need for an interior decorator or an interior designer, the difference between which will be clarified.

Interior Decorating vs Interior Designing

The main difference between Interior Decorating and Interior Designing is that an Interior decorator can cater to the aesthetical needs of the house, like repainting a room, changing the furniture, and other decorative items. On the other hand, an Interior designer can be hired for more structural changes like removing a wall and replacing it with a glass partition or any such thing.

Being an Interior Designer requires undergoing a course certified by the education system and getting training related to the field. Only after one passes an exam related to the course can one become a legal Interior Designer and start taking up projects either directly from clients or by managers. They are paid a good amount of fees as the job requires some great skills and creativity.

An Interior decorator deals with making a space more pleasing or aesthetic. They do not compulsorily need to undergo any course or training but can take up an online course or sample project to get hands-on experience and learning. Interior decorators aren’t paid as well as an Interior designer does.

Comparison Table Between Interior Decorating and Interior Designing

What is Interior Decorating?

Often people use interior decorating in interior designing as interchangeable terms, but they are not the same. Interior decorating in walls beautification of a space according to the choices and preferences of the client. It deals with enhancing the looks of a space and making it aesthetically pleasing or following what a customer wants the ambiance to feel like. Interior decorators start their work after the building or space is structurally completed and therefore do not involve any input from architects or builders. 

Becoming an interior decorator does not involve undergoing any degree courses or certification. The person just needs to be thorough with their job and best in creativity. Even though there are no restrictions on passing examinations related to interior decoration, one can always undergo any certified online course or a hands-on project to gain experience or learn some practical aspects. The average salary of an interior decorator is much less than interior designer and is just around Rs 60000 a month.

What is Interior Designing?

Interior designers play a very important role in constructing a home, office, or any other building according to the specifications of a client. Whenever a customer needs extravagant designs or something different from the ordinary structure of a building, they hire an interior designer. So, in short, interior designing deals with the structural aspect of a building or a space. This requires interior designers to work together with architects and builders of the project. 

Talking about the qualifications of an interior designer, it takes a lot more than just being creative and good with handling available resources. To become a certified interior designer, one needs to undergo a certified course and pass an exam in the related field. In many places, this procedure is not required, but definitely, it is preferred to hire a designer who is qualified with a respectable course. The average salary of an interior designer in Indian rupees is approximately 3 lacs per month, and the job is seen as a superior or senior level post as compared to an interior decorator.

Main Differences Between Interior Decorating and Interior Designing

1. An Interior Designer deals with the structural aspect of space, whereas an Interior Decorator works with the decorative aspect of a space.
2. An Interior Designer must be qualified with a related course, while an Interior decorator does not require a course.
3. In some places, it is essential to undergo a course and pass an exam to become a Certified Interior Designer, while an Interior Decorator does not need any qualifications.
4. Interior designers together work with Architects and builders to meet the needs of the client while an Interior Decorator works on their own.
5. The salary of an Interior Designer is much more than that of an Interior Decorator, and also Interior Designer is often seen as a senior position as compared to Interior Decorator.

Conclusion

It is completely wrong to use the terms Interior Designer and Interior Decorator interchangeably. They might appear similar, but as can be seen, they are different in a lot of aspects. While choosing to refurbish a wall o change the structure of a room or space at home, in an office, or any other space, one will need to hire an Interior Designer. On the other hand, if the need is to change the aesthetics of a space, make it more modern or cultural, an Interior decorator will be required.

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