INTERIOR DESIGNER VS. INTERIOR STYLIST So it’s a New Year and you’ve decided to make a few changes at home, and you realize that you’re going to need a bit of help. You begin looking for possible services and find that some professionals describe their work as interior design while others are interior stylists. Suddenly you’re faced with new questions, namely, “What’s the difference?” And more importantly, “Which one do I need?” Interior design and interior styling are often mistaken as the same thing, but the terms are not completely interchangeable. There are many similarities between the two jobs—so many, in fact, that opinions vary on exactly where to draw the distinction. There are also more than a few differences between the professions— some subtle, some significant. As you decide which kind of help you need when planning changes in your home, it will help to understand the differences between professional designers and stylists. Before
Interior Design Interior design is a profession that requires specific schooling and formal training. The work involved usually includes studying colour and fabric, computer-aided design (CAD) training, drawing, space planning, furniture design, architecture, and more. Upon graduating, designers often apprentice with a registered and established interior designer before moving on to establish their own companies. Designers are comfortable with spatial planning and can help design and renovate interiors—from drawing up the initial floor plans to placing the last decorative accent. Designers don’t just enhance the look; they also enhance the function of a room. Interior designers often work closely with architects and builders to help achieve the look the client desires, whether that client is designing a residential home, an office, a hotel, or any other interior space.
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