An interior decorator is an aesthetic professional who works on improving the look and feel of indoor and outdoor spaces. Decorators do not require licenses in order to work professionally and even certification is completely optional. There are no standardized criteria for decorating, since this profession can entail a wide range of services and can be completed by many different types of contractors, including interior designers, home stagers, window treatment installers, floral designers, specialty painters, flooring installers and other trade workers.
This commentary takes an in-depth look at the modern decorating profession and also highlights the criteria that differentiate decorators from interior designers and real estate stagers.
What Makes Interior Decorators so Valuable?
Decorators are people who seek to improve the décor of a room or home to better suit the customer’s exacting specifications. Decorators will come up with a plan detailing the work to be performed and will either do the work themselves or hire subcontractors to get the job done.
Decorators do not require technical drawing knowledge, nor do they require the ability to read blueprints, understand fire codes or comprehend the complete range of building materials. Decorators are not generally involved in structural work of any type, but instead are focused on surface improvement for purely aesthetic reasons. These facts separate decorators from deeper educated interior designers.
Professional Decorator Background
Decorators do not require a college degree or even any specialized formal technical schooling. Certification can be provided by a range of possible educational programs, but is not required to gain entry into the workforce.
Decorators may offer general property improvements to all manner of clients or might only specialize in one or more niche facets of interior enhancement. Typically, specialists may focus on lighting, flooring, window treatments, painting, wallpaper, florals and botanicals, or any number of other possible aspects of the decorating industry.
Decorators can work alone, or for a company, and often consult with other tradespeople including interior designers, general contractors, architects, florists and electricians. Many decorators offer home staging services, since the 2 fields are very closely related and can expand service offerings when used together.
Interior Decorator and Real Estate Staging
Decorators may specialize in residential or commercial property enhancement. They may work on outdoor spaces, as well.
Decorators are generally not regulated by any governmental agency and do not require standardization in training, working practices or services offered. Decorators are limited in what they can do, since they are not supposed to make structural or functional changes to an environment.
I worked as a decorator, specializing in window treatments, upholstery, fabrics and refinishing for several years, as a young man. This was actually my first position in aesthetic design and I still credit this opportunity for providing me with many useful real world skills and foundation knowledge.
To learn more about hiring or becoming a decorator, consult with an aesthetic décor professional near you.
