Who do you call? What is the difference between the two? Most people are confused by titles. When asked what I do I often avoid telling people that I am an Interior Designer, because the typical response might be: “Oh my wife is great with color.” How do you respond to that?
According to several surveys, most of the general public does not understand the role of an architect, let alone that of an interior designer. If they want a safe building, the survey revealed, respondents say they would hire an engineer; if they want it to look nice, they might hire an architect. This is public perception, and that perception becomes reality when people lack correct information. If this is what the public knows of architecture can you imagine their perception of interior design and interior decoration?

In its definition of interior decoration, Webster’s dictionary directs readers to “see interior design.” No wonder people are confused! They are NOT the same. The difference is simple and can be clearly defined in the following way: Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior in order to create functional spaces within the structures architects design. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning a space with fashionable or beautiful things. Decoration, although a valuable and important element of an interior, is not solely concerned with human interaction or human behavior. Interior design is all about human behavior and human interaction.

It is true that certified/registered/licensed (in 18 states) interior designers may provide interior decorating services. By contrast, interior decorators are not qualified to provide interior design services. The interior design profession has been attempting to draw boundaries between decoration and interior design since the 1970’s. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCDIQ) has set guidelines for examination. But while there are some 200,000 designers practicing in the United States and only 15,000 have passed the NCIDQ exam. So in fact, there are only 15,000 qualified interior designers in the United States.

Designers listen, understand, and ultimately create a space that “Exceeds Your Expectations.” With a qualified interior designer, you are working with a professional who acquired a four or five-year degree in interior design, in a program accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER), followed by two years of practical work experience in the field. They then can sit for the profession’s qualifying examination monitored by NCIDQ.

Working with a decorator you may indeed be working with someone with a “good eye for color.” There is a place for both in the marketplace. It is important for the public to know the difference between surface decoration and “fluff” as we call it in the industry, and comprehensive interior design by a trained/qualified professional.

So what is your time worth? A designer will bring your project to completion within your budget, listening to your desires, bringing a wide range of resources generally bought at a discount, sharing knowledge, experience and “vision ability” in a creative and cost-effective way, making your dream a reality.