Who to enlist for your next home renovation: architect vs designer
From whole house revamps to room makeovers, renovating your home might occasionally require the help of some experts to turn your dream design into reality, however big or small the project. Not sure who to enlist? Here's the biggest difference between an architect, interior architect, interior designer, and interior decorator.
What is an interior architect?
An interior architect is involved in both the plans and the finishing touches. 'If you were to take the space, turn it upside down and shake it, the interior architecture is everything that doesn't fall out,' explains Cathy Dean, interior designer and founder of Studio Dean, But they also manage 'the things that do fall out', like the furniture, soft furnishings and colour schemes.
An interior architect's plans will not only show walls, doors, windows, and beds in the best positions, but also the most ideal places for coffee nooks and where the light is during the morning and afternoon.
‘We show everything to paint a picture of how your life will be made easier through this design,’ Cathy explains. The focus is not just about how it looks, but what it is used for. An interior architect will often ask how each room is used and what is needed to make life easier for everyone in the property.
‘Once we have the layout and functionality planned and signed off by the client, we move on to making it all breathtakingly beautiful and selecting the best colours, papers, hard and soft furnishings, and accessories,' Cathy explains.
Interior architects can also be called architectural interior designers and they don’t necessarily have architectural qualifications or belong to RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects).
What do architects do?
Architects, on the other hand, ‘are mainly concerned with how a building looks from the outside,' says Cathy. For example, an architect’s plan will show rooms, windows, and doors and maybe even place a rectangle in some to indicate which rooms will be used as bedrooms or bathrooms. They often work closely with interior designers to help bring a vision to life.
Architects are who you will want to consult with if you plan on building your own home or adding an extension to an existing one.
What does an interior decorator do?
An interior decorator is great if you're looking for some help with colours and patterns – it's all about styling your space. They won’t, however, be changing the floor plan or necessarily be thinking about all the ways that a space can be used. Instead, they'll offer wallpaper, paint, furniture, and decor ideas in the same way that a personal stylist would put together outfits for you.
What does an interior designer do?
'Interior designers go a step further,' says Cathy. They will suggest 'bespoke alterations, such as custom furniture, and may move a doorway, window, or even a stud wall to create new spaces'. But they generally work with the space that you have without changing the fabric of the building. They can also help to pick out certain materials and fittings and will likely have the work arranged for you, alongside offering interior decoration services.
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