The difference between an Interior Designer and Interior Decorator

Here’s your guide to the difference between interior design and interior decoration.

There can be some confusion about the difference between interior design and interior decoration. Both are creative. Both require visual thinking. But the line between designer and decorator isn’t as blurry as it’s made out to be.

What is an Interior Designer?

An Interior Designer is equal parts visionary, strategist and problem solver. While they do have an eye for the aesthetics, they’re trained to redesign the bones of a space.

Interior Designers are generally involved from the start of a building project. They work with architects, builders, engineers, and clients to reimagine the structure, flow, and function of a space. They deal with spatial planning, technical drawings, lighting design, acoustics, ventilation, ergonomics, and materials - a lot of the stuff you don’t see, but also the aesthetic stuff that you do.

What does an Interior Designer do?

Interior Designers get into the bones of an interiors project.

They know how to pull a space apart and rebuild it from the ground up. They’re the ones mapping out how the room flows, where the walls go, and how light and air move through the space.

They get their hands dirty with space planning and floor layouts, think through every inch of the inside of the building, and obsess over the materials and finishes that bring a concept to life.

They also juggle timelines and budgets like circus pros, manage projects and people, and live and breathe CAD software and technical drawings. These are the creatives who speak the language of trades and consultants, all while keeping one eye on building codes and safety regs. It’s not just design, it’s controlled chaos with a purpose.

Key skills for Interior Designers

• Technical knowledge of construction and building systems
• Spatial awareness and functional design
• Strong communication and project management
• Creative problem-solving
• High-level software skills (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp)

How much do Interior Designers earn in Australia?

According to Seek, the average salary for an Interior Designer in Australia sits around $75,000 to $95,000 per year depending on experience, location and specialisation.

What is an Interior Decorator?

An Interior Decorator is all about the art of making a space look and feel right once it’s already built. They work with what exists and bring it to life through aesthetics.

Think colour schemes, furniture placement, lighting ambience, artwork, textiles and home accessories. Interior Decorators are the one who finish a project, and who add soul to a space.

What does an Interior Decorator do?

Interior Decorators are the storytellers of the design world. These are the pros who dream up style concepts, build mood boards that make your heart skip a beat, and know exactly which velvet sofa belongs with which brass lamp. They play matchmaker with colours, fabrics, furnishings and lighting until the whole room sings. They might be styling a home for sale, or turning a new home into something deeply personal, or giving a restaurant its vibe, or creating an office space that people love to work in. And they do it all without knocking down a single wall.

How much do Interior Decorator earn in Australia?

Interior decorators in Australia typically earn between $60,000 to $65,000 a year with lots of freelance and contract styling roles on offer.

Difference between an Interior Designer and Decorator

Here’s where it gets real. While both professions aim to create stunning, functional spaces, the depth, scope, and training involved are what set them apart.

So, which path is right for you?

If you’re obsessed with spatial flow, want to work on commercial builds, and dream of solving design problems through structure, interior design is calling. You might be slightly more technically minded and may also be tossing up a career in architecture.

But if you live for styling spaces, are obsessed with flatlays, know your boucle from your linen, and love making a home feel like home (without getting into blueprints and compliance) interior decorating might be more your jam.

And yes, to answer a popular question - a qualified Interior Designer can absolutely decorate. But a decorator without design training won’t be able to redesign a space structurally.

What qualifications do you need to become an Interior Designer or Decorator?

To become a professional Interior Designer, you’ll usually need a formal qualification and not just for the fancy title. Design work can involve safety codes, structural considerations, technical documentation, and team coordination.

So, what degree do you need to be an Interior Designer? In Australia, an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor of Interior Design is your starting point, ensuring you graduate with the skills that meet criteria required for the Interior Designer occupation.

Recognised Interior Design courses like the ones offered at Billy Blue College of Design equip you with industry-grade skills, software mastery, and hands-on experience from real projects.

If you’re heading towards interior decorating, the path is more flexible. Skilled and in-demand decorators have training in the area, while other decorators can be self-taught or come from adjacent fields like styling, merchandising or visual arts. Completing a course in interior decoration or a related subject, like our Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration will give you a solid foundation in principles, colour theory, client communication and business practices.

We hope that clears up some of the designer vs decorator confusion for you. Interior Designers change how spaces work. Interior Decorators change how spaces feel. Both are essential. Both are creative forces. Both are a great career choice. So decide which one is a better fit for you, then take the leap.