insight

Interior Designer or Decorator? How to choose

Interior Designer or Decorator? How to choose - Read this home renovation insight now.

The Vancouver real estate market has changed, and with it, the construction industry. This change has caused many people to stay in their homes and take more economical options like renovating. However, renovating the house can be an overwhelming task to start and execute, and that is why an Interior designer can be your best resource.

Let's start with discussing the difference between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator, as this gets confused often.

Interior Decorator

  • Post-construction phase
  • Finishing touches
  • Home Staging
  • Furnishings and textural finishes

Interior Designer

  • Pre-construction phase
  • Drawings (layouts, finishing, electrical, plumbing, etc)
  • Finish selections (hard finishes, appliances, fixtures, plumbing, etc)
  • Cabinet layouts
  • The flow of the home and how the people function in it
  • Standard sizing/heights/placement of fixed pieces (ie: plumbing/lighting/etc)
interior designer
Bathroom Tile and Fixture Elevation Created by An Interior Designer (me)

How do I know if I need an interior designer?

Do you have time to research ideas, materials and meet trades? Hiring an interior designer will help narrow choices down quickly and give detailed instructions to the trades. Designers know where to purchase materials/fixtures and having contacts in the industry ensures you get the best service and pricing.

Many people are uncertain about their style. Designers are experts in drawing out your tastes and giving you a home you'll love.

Size of the project? Larger projects have a lot of detail and are almost a necessity to hire a designer. Consider your capacity to handle the task.

Will there be many finishes and fixtures? Trades typically require detailed drawings. For example, the tile installer will want the tile pattern and in-floor heat etc. An electrician needs to know what he is wiring and mounting and how much voltage is required. The plumber needs to know the placement of fixtures on the floor and walls. Without this detail, things might get missed causing a costly fix.

Please feel free to contact us with project questions