The two titles get swapped all the time. They are not the same job.
Part of the interior design Chelmsford guides by Rachel Buscall Interiors. See all interior design guides.
Get it wrong and you hire the wrong person. You then pay for the wrong thing. This guide sorts it out in plain terms.
What an interior decorator does
A decorator works on the surface of a room. Think colour, fabric, furniture, art, accessories and styling.
The structure stays as it is. Walls stay where they are. Windows stay where they are. The decorator makes what exists look better.
That is a real skill. A good decorator has a sharp eye for proportion and palette. If your room is sound and just feels flat, a decorator may be all you need.
What an interior designer does
A designer starts earlier. They look at how the space works before they think about how it looks.
That can mean moving walls, changing the layout, rethinking where doors and windows sit, and planning lighting, electrics and joinery. It often means working with architects, builders and tradespeople.
The decoration comes last. It sits on a plan that already works.
Where they overlap
Plenty of designers decorate. Some decorators take on light design work. The title alone will not tell you what a person offers.
So ask. What have they done? How do they work? What is included in the fee?
A quick way to choose
- Choose a decorator if the layout works, the structure is fine and you want a new look.
- Choose a designer if the layout frustrates you, you are renovating or extending, or the project touches walls, services or lighting.
- Choose a designer if you are fitting out an office or developing a property to sell or let.
Still unsure? Describe the problem rather than the solution. "The room feels dark and awkward" is a design question. "I need new cushions" is a decorating one.
Why the order matters
Decorating before design is the most expensive mistake in a project. Beautiful curtains do not fix a bad layout. A lovely sofa will not rescue a room where there is nowhere to plug in a lamp.
Plan the bones first. Then dress them.
What to expect from a designer
Most good designers follow a similar path.
- A conversation about how you live or work.
- A written brief. See our guide to how to write an interior design brief.
- Concept and layout plans.
- Detailed drawings and specifications.
- Sourcing and ordering.
- Installation and styling.
You can ask for all of it or only part of it. Be clear about which stages you want.
Working with an interior designer in Chelmsford
Rachel Buscall Interiors offers interior design in Chelmsford, Essex and London. The work covers residential design, executive offices, property development and bespoke styling.
The approach is strategic. Every choice has to earn its place. If you want to see how that works in practice, read about the Rachel Buscall approach.
Not sure which service fits? Get in touch and explain what you want the space to do.