Understanding Two Often Confused Professions
Many people use the terms interior design and interior decoration interchangeably. While both aim to create beautiful spaces, they are not the same. The difference lies in the depth of planning, technical knowledge, and the role each plays in shaping a home.
Understanding this distinction helps homeowners make better decisions when planning their dream home.
What is Interior Design?
Interior design is more than just selecting furniture pieces or colors for a space. It is a holistic concept that involves how a space works, how it feels, and how it performs.
What does an interior designer do?
An interior designer uses a space’s architectural design and thoughtfully plans aspects such as:
- Space planning and circulation
- Lighting design
- Electrical and service planning
- Furniture planning and ergonomics
- Storage planning
- Material planning
- Integration with architecture and structure
An interior designer must consider how a space performs, how safe it is, how comfortable it is, and how beautiful it is, as each element in a space influences how people interact with it.
For example, in designing a kitchen, an interior designer does not just pick out kitchen cabinets and countertops. An interior designer will thoughtfully design a kitchen space that will function seamlessly, with no effort, every day.
In essence, interior design is about how a space works, and then how a space looks.
What is Interior Decoration?
Interior decoration is primarily concerned with improving the visual appearance of a space. Interior decoration is the selection and arrangement of items that enhance the visual appearance of a space.
Interior decoration generally includes:
- Furniture selection
- Curtains and fabrics
- Rugs and carpets
- Wall art and accessories
- Color schemes
- Decorative lighting fixture
A decorator will generally work with the existing structure of a space. He will add a new layer to the space to make it visually appealing.
For example, a living room will generally have its structure and furniture in place. A decorator will help in the selection of matching cushions, art, curtains, etc., to enhance the space.
Decoration is the enhancement of the visual appearance of a space. However, it does not alter the structural planning of the space.
The Key Difference
The best way to understand this is:
Interior Design is all about designing a space.
Interior Decoration is all about decorating a space.
Interior Design is done early in the process, even during the construction of the house.
Interior Decoration is done later, when the house is built.
Though both are important, interior design is the groundwork for a home that functions well, and decoration is just that: decoration.
Why the Difference Matters for Homeowners
When it comes to the design or decoration of a house while either constructing or renovating it, it is important to consider interior design rather than just decoration.
A well-designed home can:
- Enhance the level of comfort and efficiency in the home
- Optimize the space available for storage
- Enhance the level of lighting and ambiance in the home
- Reduce clutter in the home due to proper planning
- Enhance the value of the home in the future
Decoration does not help in addressing the following:
Layout, Circulation and Functionality.
The Design Cubes Approach:
At Design Cubes, we are of the firm belief that good homes are designed first, and then beautifully styled.
Our process is centered around understanding our customers’ lifestyle, their daily habits, and their aspirations before designing spaces that suit their lifestyle.
A home that is beautifully designed is not just about beautifying spaces, but also creating spaces that function seamlessly, yet reflect the personalities of its occupants.
