Studying interior design or interior decoration?

9 years ago

I'm about to start studying design. However, I need to choose between a course on interior design and interior decoration. I always thought that decoration would be part of interior design... Any tips to share on what the difference might be? Thanks a lot for your help!

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alant1000

9 years ago

interior design is about designing layouts and flow of a room or area. It looks at principles such as your daily routine in a room, how much time you spend there, making things easily accessible and in a logical place, looking at lighting, and ultimately creating the most usable space in a given area.

Interior decoration is about dressing an area and making it look good, this is where colour, texture and accessorising comes in. An interior decorator will recommend cushions, an interior designer won't (in the technical sense anyway).

Interior design can be very broad ranging from houses to airport terminals.

Many interior decorators offer interior design too, but in the academic and qualification sense, if you were to do a course for example at KLC, they are treated as two very different disciplines.

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Comments (9)

turgisclaire
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you very much for this answer - this is very helpful! If I understand well, you basically need to understand design if you want to decorate a space well (taking into account the use of the space, lighting etc)... not just to make it pretty, but also functional. Is that correct? Thanks again!
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alant1000
9 years ago
It often depends on the scale of the project. If (for example) you specialised in private homes or small public areas like small bars etc, then you'd likely be expected to both recommend the decor, and the positioning of it to create a better usable space. Simple things like sofa and table positioning.

In the true sense of the profession though, an interior designer will be focusing on spacing and lighting, and decor / finishing won't always be part of the scope of work. This will be for larger scale stuff like hotels, shops etc. Interior design is everywhere, even the inside of ferries, planes, museums, train stations etc all need design consideration.

What interests you? Making a room like nice, or the thought or transforming a terrible dated shopping centre into an amazing usable space?
alant1000
9 years ago
This is also helpful : http://www.ncidqexam.org/about-interior-design/differences-between-interior-design-decorating/

I've always wanted to be an interior designer for large public spaces, but am too scared to jack in my IT career!
turgisclaire
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for that - even clearer! I'm more into making a room look nice (or a home mostly). Not so much into commercial spaces. But I suppose I am still interested in doing that in a practical way, knowing what I'm talking about in terms of space, lighting etc. I've got the option of taking half of the course in design (focus on individual homes & basics of design), and the rest in decoration... So I think I will do that?! Thanks so much for your advice once again!
Karin Madgwick
9 years ago
I studied interior design and have found in my career that you need the total understanding as the client will often ask for advice on things other than just paint colours and cushions. It is much easier to offer advice if you know much more than is required and if you understand design you can get involved from the planning stage through project managing to completion. This is very exciting. You can work in the residential sector if your passion is colour and dressing rooms and you can design bathrooms and kitchens as well. This side of exterior design can be very rewarding and challenging. If you wish to be involved in commercial then you need to go to uni.
turgisclaire
Original Author
9 years ago
Great, thanks for that Karin. That makes perfect sense!
realestatekid661
9 years ago
I love design! But im just a kid
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
realestatekid661 - Being a kid doesn't matter! Start young, don't let age hold you back! If you can't do a course because of you age, just study and read up on the subject wherever possible!

Studying interior design or interior decoration?

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