The issue of determining which paint colour to place on the wall is not the challenge when you decide to remake your home, but the selection of the professional. In the design and build industry, the terms interior designer and interior decorator are used interchangeably, and they are two entirely distinct scopes of work.
We are convinced that knowing these roles will make the renovation process a stress-free time at Studio Kimi and the final result beautiful. You may be intending on a complete overhaul in Toronto, or are just thinking of updating your living room in Vancouver; this is all you need to know.
Designer Or Decorator – Form vs. Function
To put it in a nutshell, structural changes versus aesthetic styling is the difference.
An Interior Designer works on the skeletons of the house. They are concerned with the technical side of a space, such as building codes, accessibility, and structural integrity. An Interior Decorator, however, deals with the home’s clothing, the pieces, clothes and surfaces that help a room complete.
Who Does What? Design and Decor Projects
The simplest method of deciding on who to hire is to view the bones of your project. Do you transport objects that are fixed, or do you modernise things that can be transported?
1. Projects for an Interior Designer
An Interior Designer is needed in your case when you have structural changes, safety, and functionality in your project. In Canada, designers are educated to lead the National Building Code and deal with technical aspects.
- Major Renovations – Removing or moving walls to create open-concept spaces.
- Kitchen & Bath Overhauls – Relocating plumbing, electrical outlets, or gas lines.
- Space Planning – Reconfiguring the footprint of a home to improve flow or accessibility.
- New Builds – Working alongside architects and contractors from the ground up to ensure the interior architecture is sound. This is what the design and build service providers like Studio Kimi do.
2. Projects for an Interior Decorator
You need an Interior Decorator when your space is already functional but needs a visual and atmospheric update.
- Furniture & Layout – Sourcing new pieces and arranging them for better balance.
- Colour Consultations – Choosing paint, wallpaper, and fabric palettes.
- Window Treatments – Selecting custom blinds, curtains, and hardware.
- Styling & Accessories – Adding the final layers, art, rugs, lighting, and décor, to make a room feel finished.
3. When You Need Both (The Hybrid Project)
Collaboration between the two professionals is often useful in large-scale projects.
- The Designer works with the technical drawings, permit applications and structural layout.
- The Decorator (or the designer who is playing the decorating role) then enters the scene to mediate the personality of the space using textures and furnishings.
When to Hire an Interior Designer
When you are doing something bigger than visiting the furniture store, you probably need a designer. The interior designers are frequently educated, and in most provinces must be registered by professional organisations, such as IDC (Interior Designers of Canada).
Physical Work and Planning Modifications
A designer would be needed in case you are fantasising about an open concept main floor, moving windows, or changing the location of a bath. They know how to carry the walls properly and make sure that your house is structurally sound.