Interior Decorating vs. Interior Design
If you're a creative person who enjoys working with color, developing inspiration boards, and bringing your ideas to life, then a career in decorating & design could be for you! To get started in this exciting industry, you need to know which role best suits your interests and career goals.
Contrary to what most people think, "interior design" and "interior decorating" are two very different roles. In very simple terms, an interior designer can modify the actual structure or architecture of a space. A decorator, on the other hand, focuses on just that: decorating an existing space.
Follow along to learn about the differences between interior decorating and interior design, from education, to salary, to what the job entails!
Education and Training Requirements
Interior decorating and interior design require different training and qualifications to work professionally. This could mean the difference between years of study and thousands of dollars for a university degree versus months of professional training to become certified, either in-class or online.
There are no specific educational requirements to become an interior decorator. Interior decorating certification courses prepare you for the profession and offer comprehensive training at a fraction of the cost of university or college programs. Most design certification courses can be completed in less than a year and provide you with career-ready training so you either start your own business, or begin working for an existing company.
However, if you want to become an interior designer, you'll need to study more advanced mathematical topics and software programs at a college or university level. Generally, you need a few years of both educational and professional experience in order to become a licensed interior designer. To be eligible to work, you may also need to take an exam that is regulated by an industry authority such as the NCIDQ in United States and Canada.
The Focus of an Interior Decorating Program
- Floor, space, and furniture planning
- Working with private and public clients
- Color theory and color schemes
- Types of design materials
- Historical and contemporary design styles
- Wall and window treatments
- Types of lighting and flooring
- How to start a decorating business
The Focus of an Interior Design Program
- Construction and drafting
- Human behavior and sociology
- Professional ethics
- Commercial, hospitality, and healthcare design
- Environmental science
- Building codes and regulations
- Usually includes a work term or internship
- Qualifying exam
Not all interior decorating programs will teach the same topics, and the same is true for interior design programs.
Generally, the key differences between these two programs is the application of your knowledge. Interior decorators focus on the aesthetic changes that can be made to a space, whereas interior designers focus on how spaces can be built or modified from its original structure (e.g., renovations, home expansions). Interior designers also have a strong focus on the environmental factors of design, as well as the human behavioural patterns that affect design concepts.
Interior Decorating Salary vs. Interior Design Salary
Average Interior Decorator's Salary
The average interior decorator's salary in the United States is around $45,000 per year. If you choose to start your own business, you can create service packages based on your design skills to earn more per client and sign contracts for larger projects. Decorators with a higher level of experience can earn well over $50,000 per year.
Average Interior Designer's Salary
An interior designer's salary does not vary too much from that of an interior decorator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, interior designers in the United States earn an average salary of $53,000 per year. The highest-paid interior designers have a specialization in architecture and engineering and earn an average of $60,000 per year. Of course, this wage does increase with the level of experience, years in the workforce, and additional qualifications.
Education Costs
The average interior decorator's salary in the United States is around $45,000 per year. If you choose to start your own business, you can create service packages based on your design skills to earn more per client and sign contracts for larger projects. Decorators with a higher level of experience can earn well over $50,000 per year.
Career Outlook
Regardless of which path you choose, it's important to know how much the industry is expected to grow over the next few years.
In terms of employment, creative design professionals in the United States are projected to see a 4% growth in employment by 2028. This is the expected growth across all occupations, and is great news if you're looking to get started in the industry!
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