Interior Designers or Interior Decorators,
what’s the difference?
What is the difference between Interior Designers, Interior Decorators, Interior Architects, Interior Stylists, and Stagers? Are they all the same thing? They are not all the same thing. But if you are confused, you are not alone! Most people are - even some seasoned designers might not be able to articulate the difference. Hopefully the descriptions below will help shed some light on the subject.
Context
Unlike many other professions, the majority of states, unfortunately, do not require Interior Designers to be licensed in order to practice which is where the confusion of terms originates. Our own state of Tennessee offers a non-mandatory Registration for Interior Designers (see “Registered Interior Designer” below). If states required Interior Designers to be licensed in order to practice, then designers without a license would need to either work under a licensed Interior Designer or go by another name, such as Interior Decorators. So in light of that context, what do Interior Designers do?
Registered Interior Designers
Interior Designers must fulfill all of the same requirements for a registration as other professional do for a license. They must complete a 4 year degree in Interior Design from an accredited university or college and then accumulate 2 years of full time hours working under the supervision of a licensed Interior Designer or Architect. At which point they become eligible to take the NCIDQ, the professional exam for Interior Designers. When they pass the exam, they are eligible to apply for an Interior Design Registration in the state of TN, and as part of the application they must provide 5 letters of recommendation with the majority of them being from licensed Interior Designers or Architects. Once they receive their registration, just like with licenses, they must complete 24 continuing education credits, with 13 of those being in Health, Safety, and Wellness (HSW), in order to renew their Registration every 2 years. And just like with licenses, the TN Department of Commerce can suspend their Registration based on complaints received.
Interior Architects
(aka Interior Designers)
Interior Architects are to the interior what Architects are to the exterior. The term “Interior Architect” was invented in an attempt to distinguish Designers from Decorators since both were calling themselves “Interior Designers,” but perhaps it only succeeded in causing more confusion. But essentially Interior Architects are the same as trained Interior Designers. They have earned a four year degree in Interior Design (Lydia’s degree is actually called “Interior Architecture”), but they may not all have attempted to take the professional NCIDQ exam and passed since the states do not require it in order to practice. Passing the NCIDQ ensures that an Interior Designer has learned and can perform all of the following skills.
They have been trained in drafting standards to create construction, demo, finish, reflected ceiling, electrical, and furniture plans as well as elevations, sections, and details. In order to implement the design in the built environment, they also should be adept at coordinating with architects; structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical engineers; lighting, signage, and rendering consultants, landscape architects, reps, product vendors, and procurement agencies - not to mention contractors and subs to protect the design intent and ensure that it comes to fruition. If they graduated from an accredited institution they should be trained and comfortable in referencing standards, typicals, building codes, and understanding as well as writing specifications. And through experience they should be familiar with the custom shop drawings and submittal process of construction administration as well as procurement and installation. All of that is the technical side of design, but of course Interior Architects are highly skilled in conceptualization and selecting finishes, fixtures, and furnishings to fit the project programming requirements and aesthetics as well as the budget.
In summary, Interior Architects or Interior Designers are a one stop shop to transform and tailor an interior environment (commercial or residential) from architecture to furniture to fit the form and function necessary for the benefit and comfort of the end users.
Interior Decorators
(aka Interior Designers, Home Designers, etc.)
Most (if not all) Interior Decorators provide design services exclusively in the residential sector. They have an eye for arrangements, color and décor and have a flair for design. They focus on cosmetic changes such as furnishings, accessories, and finishes, and they may even advise on a remodel. If you are looking to make cosmetic changes to a residence you may want to consult and compare proposals from both Interior Decorators and Interior Designers to decide which is the best fit for you and your project because Interior Designers are also well equipped to provide these design services.
Interior Stylists
Interior Stylists have an eye for composition and appearances. They are usually employed by Interior Designers, photographers, and others for photoshoots to ensure the shots look as alluring as possible. They work mainly with accessories and positioning things just so. For example, they know the perfect size and shape of fresh flowers to make a space inviting, and they know the perfect place to set the vase on the large coffee table at just the right angle to give the arrangement just the right sculptural affect to compliment the design of the space. An Interior Architect designed the space and selected the FF&A, but the Interior Stylist makes it look just the right amount of lived in for the magazine spread to draw you in.
Stagers
Stagers are the people that you want to call when you need to sell a house for the most amount of money in the least amount of time. They usually have a stock of trendy furniture and accessories they can use to fill an empty room or they can make recommendations about how to rearrange or remove things in order to make the listing images more appealing to more people. Just because those images help sell houses, doesn't mean that the space feels personal or that you would want to live in it though!