What’s The Difference? Interior Stylist – Interior Decorator – Interior Designer

At Ann Cope Interior Design, we understand the importance of clear communication and industry expertise in delivering exceptional interior design services to our clients.

That’s why we’d like to provide you with a detailed and professional description of the differences between three commonly misunderstood roles in the interior design industry: interior stylists, interior decorators, and interior designers.

Interior Stylists:

 

• Visual experts specializing in creating aesthetically pleasing and cohesive settings, often for photo shoots or product campaigns

• Responsible for sourcing and selecting furniture and decor, arranging them for a specific style or look, and incorporating the client’s personality and lifestyle into the design

• May work on both commercial and residential spaces

• Can help enhance a space’s overall look and feel without the need for major renovation or construction

 

Interior Decorators:

 

• Focused on both aesthetics and practicality, helping clients make decisions about space planning and furniture/accessory selection

• Meet with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and budget

• Assess existing spaces and develop a design concept and plan

• Source and select furniture, accessories, and soft furnishings

• Offer advice on lighting, paint, and other design elements

• Coordinate installations and manage the project budget and timeline

• May have a background in interior design but formal education or licensing is not always required

• Have strong knowledge of design principles, colour theory, and current trends in decoration and materials

• Focus more on aesthetic aspects of a space but may work with a joiner/millwork designer for custom cabinetry

 

Interior Designers:

 

• Create functional, safe, and visually pleasing spaces

• Have additional responsibilities such as knowledge of building codes and safety regulations, space planning, design oversight, technical drawings, and material and product specification

• Often have formal education and training in interior design or a related field

• May be required to be licensed or registered, depending on their jurisdiction

• Have a wider scope of responsibilities than interior stylists and interior decorators, including joinery/millwork design and construction

We hope this clarifies the differences between these roles and helps our clients understand the services we offer at Ann Cope Interior Design. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!