Interior Design, Interior Decorating and Styling

Prior to my career change as an Interior Designer, I admit I didn’t fully understand what the main differences were between the three professions. All three terms can get used casually and most people assume it’s the same thing. Since my introduction into the world of property styling or home staging 4 years ago, there is one thing I have come to form an opinion about and may come as a surprise.

I don’t believe that all Interior Designers automatically make great Decorators or Stylists as much as it is in reverse. Some Interior Designers are not interested in the styling element so much, and some Stylists are only interested in the styling not the design aspect.

I think you can liken it to other professions. Not all nurses would make good doctors and visa versa. Not all book keepers would make good accountants and visa versa. Not all builders make good Project managers and visa versa.

If you have read through my Services page and other blog post, The Value of Hiring an Interior Designer, then you should have a pretty good idea what skills are required as an Interior Designer.

Interior Designers, Interior Decorators and Stylists, all work with the clients’ taste and preferences of aesthetics, colours and textures.

A couple of main differences are:

Interior Designers require formal qualifications to practice and are focused on creating functional and safe interior/exterior spaces. If you want to build a new space or renovate and add, move or remove structural walls Interior Designers need to be knowledgeable with building regulations and space planning. Researching suitable materials, textures and finishes is essential, and having the health and safety of our clients’ needs in mind while coordinating the entire process.

Interior Decorators and Stylist are part of the design process and generally do not require formal qualifications to practice, however there are courses to improve skills to professionally makeover an existing interior/exterior space through the addition of furniture, soft furnishings and accessories. Interior Decorators focus on decorating residential or commercial interiors.

Stylists encompass a broader more creative role to think outside the box, not only in the Design industry but across a variety of industries such as food, fashion, film and TV. Their work is more focused on the details, editing and collating elements required for a particular style hired by an agency, individual or commercial sectors such as hospitality or Property Development.

Property Stylists, however, are specifically hired by Real Estate Agents, Property Developers or home owners to professionally style homes ready for sale, rentals, commercial properties or display homes. Their services may also include decluttering and colour advise as part of the process.