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Shaun Neill
Dr. Deanna Summers
CS330-W6
March 4, 2015

Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator and Licensing Controversy

The world of Interior Design and Interior Decorating are commonly
referred to as being the same thing. Unfortunately, this misconception is
becoming an issue alongside the growing Licensing debates. Who is doing
what and should designers be required to carry a license? I would like to
discuss these issues to help clear up any misunderstandings. It is the duty of
the professional to make the client aware of what exactly they do. It is also
the duty of the professional to ensure client protection and safety.
Many people, due to the lack of information or education, refer to
Interior Designers as Interior Decorators. Though these two fields within the
design world apply similar aesthetic properties; however, they are very
different in what they are allowed and trained to do. The National Council for
Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) defines the field of Interior Design as
the art and science of understanding peoples behavior to create functional
spaces within a building (NCIDQ 2015). The American Society of Interior
Designers (ASID) defines an Interior Designer as one who is professionally

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trained to create a functional and quality interior environment. Qualified

through education, experience and examination, a professional designer can
identify; research and creatively resolve issues and provide a healthy, safe
and comfortable physical environment (Mod Space Design 2010).
So, what are Interior Designers actually responsible for and or capable
of? According to Mod Space Design, Interior Designers have a certain
knowledge and understanding of peoples behavior, technical solutions that
respond to, and coordinate with, the occupants life and culture, the building
shell and its physical location, social context, codes and requirements,
principles of environmental sustainability, ergonomics and universality,
project budget, History of Art, Architecture, Furniture and design (consisting
of periods, styles, trends, motifs, etc), sketching, drafting, modeling,
rendering, Kitchen and Bath, products, materials and finishes, planning,
scheduling, project management, CAD construction documents, acoustics
and sound transmission, lighting, HVAC, plumbing, exterior elements,
structural modifications, flammability ratings, off-gassing properties, ADA
requirements and more. All of which allow an Interior Designer the ability to
communicate in the language of industry professionals such as engineers
and architects (Mod Space Design 2010).
Often times, Interior Design is referred to as Interior Decoration
because the end result by both parties may look no different. However,
Interior Decoration, according to NCIDQ is the furnishing or adorning of a
space with fashionable or beautiful things (NCIDQ 2015). Interior Decorators

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are primarily concerned with decoration: paint, fabric, furnishings and

accessories items that change the look, aesthetics or visual impression of a
space. They are able to alter the color of walls, the types of finishes, and add
decorative elements to the space, but they are not qualified to remove or
alter any standing structure, make electrical/mechanical changes, or
anything else of a more complex nature (Mod Space Design 2010). Due to
the lack of an advanced education, Interior Decorators typically stay within
the realm of residential design of interiors because there are fewer codes
and regulations to abide by (Mod Space Design 2010).
In an article by Hyphen Interiors, it is clarified that whether or not you
are an Interior Designer or Interior Decorator depends on your state, not your
job description (Hyphen Interiors 2012).

According to Hyphen Interiors Some States allow you to be

called an Interior Designer if that is what you do, design interiors.
Others have a title act in place that restricts the use of the title
Interior Designer to those with the education that is arbitrarily
deemed proper- which would be a 4 year interior design degree, 2
years of experience under ASID professional members and NCIDQ
exam certificate
(Hyphen Interiors
2012).

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These days the difference between an Interior Designer and Interior

Decorator seem to stir the pot. Swirling around in that same pot are the
Licensing Issues that maintain some of the issues that designers have with
title acts.
Hyphen Interiors expressed that; these acts are the doing
of ASID (American Society for Interior Designers). This
organization lobbies for such regulations and allegedly have
spent $6 million plus on the effort. After all, it benefits them to
have people pay to take the exam and pay to join the ASID. They
want to pass laws that prohibit anyone who has not taken the
NCIDQ from practicing, and in that regard, they would be forcing
designers to either take the exam or stop practicing, thus putting
them out of business and limiting the competition. (Hyphen
Interiors 2012)
Designers (or maybe Decorators depending on the state) around the
country are speaking out about Licensing. According to an article (2012),
Rikka Seibert is in favor of legislation in Oregon. Here in Oregon, anybody
who is a decorator on the street, picking out material or something else, can
pitch themselves as an interior designer because nobody is telling them
theyre any different from anyone else, said Rikka Seibert, the IDCs

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marketing and public relations chairwoman (Lindsey OBrien 2012). Although

some are for legislation in Oregon, others are strongly against it.
According to an article (2012), Diane Plesset stated that I have been
actively fighting this legislation in Oregon, Washington and around the
country for five or six years said Diane Plesset, principle of D.P. Design in
Oregon City. We dont need it. We dont need a government agency to tell
people who to hire-people should be able to do it for themselves (Lindsey
OBrien 2012).
These regulations are introduced by a small handful of designers who
have passed a test that is independent of Oregon laws, and theyve decided
that the test determines qualifications, said Edward Nagorsky, the general
counsel for the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Let the Consumer
decide which designer best meets their needs. (Lindsey OBrien 2012)
Its a fallacy- another layer of bureaucracy is not going to do anything
to protect building owners, Nagorsky said. The public isnt out there asking
for this legislation; its only designers saying, Please protect us from our
competition. (Lindsey OBrien 2012)
The argument consists of those who are for legislation and those who
are against it and both sides weigh in with valid points. Some believe that
licensing will lead to client protection which is always a priority while others
believe it will make finding work harder.

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Others from Oregon argue similar points of view... Those in favor of ID

regulation say:

Licensing provides a level of accountability that is

otherwise nonexistent. It is for consumer protection. (Professional Interior

Designers Blog 2014)
Licensing interior designers will allow the qualified to work
to the fullest potential of their training and education. (Professional Interior
Designers Blog 2014)
Those who oppose ID regulation say:

There is no consumer

outcry demanding interior design legislation. (Professional Interior

Designers Blog)
Occupational licensing reduces employment growth, contributes to
unemployment and increases costs to consumers. (Professional Interior
Designers Blog 2014)
This summer, the Interior Design Lobby applied to become a licensed
occupation in Utah. The committee declined to grant the interior designers
request and instead favored alternatives to full licensure. One option the
committee favored was to grant interior designers an exemption from
existing architectural licensing requirements for the work of interior design.
However, the industry did not reach agreement on what constituted interior
design, how interior design differed from architecture, what if any, impacts
on public health and safety interior design had, and what, if any,

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requirements would be required to qualify for an exemption. (Libertas

Institute 2015)
The debate in Florida is not to regulate Interior Design, but to
deregulate the Interior Design profession as a whole. Currently, Florida is
one of only three states that requires a license to practice Commercial
Interior Design. (Interior Design Pro 2014)
The concept is coming from a noble point of view; lawmakers feel that
by deregulating the Interior Design profession, more notably Commercial
Interior Design, it will make it easier on designers to establish their own
businesses, gain a client base and thus improve the economy. (Interior
Design Pro 2014)
Many who attended this meeting praised the lawmakers efforts
arguing that current regulations stifle competition and keep the industry in
the hands of a greedy cartel (Interior Design Pro 2014) There view is that
the current standards for the profession protect the designing community
from fair competition and stifle the industry from growth. (Interior Design
Pro 2014) Other views include: bad design and safety issues, materials
being used for weapons in prisons, flooring that causes falls and flammable
fabrics or paints that can lead to deaths, and the skill and knowledge not to
select fabrics that will contribute to the spreading of hospital-acquired
infections (Interior Design Pro 2014).

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Another valid point brought up by a working designer is that

lawmakers didnt understand the color schemes that affect their salivation
and autonomic nervous system, and that their current seating would
endanger their lives if there was a fire to break out. Something she claimed,
a licensed Interior Designer would not have chosen that particular seating
arrangement for that particular room due to safety issues (Interior Design
Pro 2014).
Whether the bill is to be passed or not is yet to be seen. Due to the
unexpected passionate and emotional debate from Interior Designers, there
is even been talk of just removing this profession from the HB 5005 alltogether. (Interior Design Pro 2014)
It is more than evident that the differences between Interior
Designer/Design and Interior Decorator/Decoration are not quite the same
thing. The Interior Designer is obviously responsible for far more in their dayto-day than an Interior Decorator. It is the responsibility of the design
community to educate the public on the differences between the two. The
better the general public understands this, the better off they will be with
their decision.
I developed a simple survey in which I addressed the public via
FACEBOOK, phone calls, and fellow employees. The importance behind these
questions is to gain an understanding of the education level of the general
public in regards to Interior Design and Decoration. It is the obligation of

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industry professionals to educate the public on Interior Design. If the

consumer is unaware of who should be hired for what job, it may very well
costs everyone involved when trained professionals are required, yet not
hired.
The questions on the survey consisted of:
1. Have you ever hired an Interior Designer or Interior Decorator? Y/N
2. If yes, what was the project you hired them for?
3. If yes, how would rate their professionalism on a scale from 1-10?
(10 being the highest)
4. Do you feel Interior Design and Interior Decoration are the same
thing?
(a) Strongly Agree
(b)Agree
(c) Strongly Disagree
(d)Disagree
(e) Unsure
5. What does Interior Design mean to you?
6. What does Interior Decoration mean to you?
7. Would a better understanding of what Designers and Decorators do
change your opinion on who you might hire for a project?
8. (This question is for practicing Designers) Do you feel that Interior
Designers should have to be licensed?
9. (This question is for practicing Designers) Has the regulation of
Interior Design had any effect on your career?
10. (This question is for practicing Designers) Have you ever been
denied the ability to work in another state do to their regulations? If
so, what state?

After reviewing the answers to these questions, I realized that the

terms Interior Designer and Interior Decorator are indeed used
interchangeably. I found that people were either unaware of the differences
or that they had at least some idea of the differences between the two.
Although none of the participants had ever hired a Designer or Decorator,

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they all agreed that having a better understanding of the two would aide in
any possible design decisions they may come across in the future.
Most of the participants had a basic understanding of what Interior
Designers and Decorators do, but only a few seemed to know specific
differences. However, most seemed to disagree or strongly disagree with
Interior Design and Decoration being the same thing. Some of the answers I
received to questions 5 and 6 back up these findings:
Question 5: (What does Interior Design mean to you?)

Designing structural changes, placing permanent things like cabinets,

bath fixtures, windows etc (Susan)

Shows you how to and where to put things, like walls, arches, and

lights. (Joe)
I think that they are kind of like someone that comes into your home
and takes down walls, redoes kitchens just kind of takes the old
house apart and redesigns it making sure all the new work is safe and

up to code, etc (Debbie)

Hmm. Someone that is expected to put an area, space, room

together. I guess coordinator is the word Id use. (Callie)

Interior Design- making a room/house functional, appealing and
cohesive with design elements (chairs, curtains, layout, etc).
(Stephanie)

So, I only quoted a few individuals in this paper for what they understood
a Designer to be and the overall is that they seem to have a basic
understanding. Although, I found it interesting that not one person brought

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up the commercial aspect of Designers. It wasnt in the questions, but going

off the answers, it seems like thus far, many are unaware of that area of
Interior Design. Heres what the same individuals had to say about Interior
Decoration.
Question 6: (What does Interior Decoration mean to you?)

Helps with colors, placement of furniture, pictures. Picks out curtains,

bedspreads, pillows, etc (Susan)

What colors to use, types of curtains and the like. (Joe)
I think they do exactly what it says they decorate your home.

(Debbie)
Im really bad with words but they go behind the designer and make
it all go together. Flow so to speak. Make sure the designers colors

and fixtures go together. To put everything in place. (Callie)

They are the same thing. (Stephanie)

The answers in regard to what Interior Decoration is were in line with what
Id come to believe to be true for the most part. However, it seems that there
is a certain amount of confusion in regards to whom does what. Actually, I
found that some people believe Interior Decorators and Designers basically
work together. So, if a Designer goes in and lays out the space, the
Decorator goes in behind and adds accessories to finish it off. This is part of
the misconception of what the two do. Basically, if one hires a Designer,
thats who will do the entire project. However, if a Decorator needs to move
a wall, design a kitchen, or anything else of more complex nature, they

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would need to consult with a Designer, Contractor or Architect before doing

so.
The second part of the survey pertained to the working professional
Interior Designer in Kentucky. At this point in my research, I have only
obtained information from a single source in regards to the second portion of
the survey. Due to the limited results in this portion of my research, it would
be unrealistic to determine an overall opinion. However, I would like to clarify
the qualifications Interior Designers in Kentucky must have in order to use
the name Certified Interior Designer. According to the Kentucky Board of
Architects (KYBOA), who are now in charge of licensing for Architects and
Interior Designers in Kentucky, these individuals have successfully met
the requirements of both KRS232 and KAR201, Chapter 19, including
completion of:
1) A post-secondary degree
2) KYBOA prescribed experience and training, and
3) Successful passage of either the Architect Registration
Examination administered by NCARB or the NCIDQ
examination administered by the National Council of
Interior Design Qualifications.
(Kentucky Board of Architects 2012)

So, with my research, it is evident to me that there is a lack of

communication within the field of Interior Design and Interior Decoration as it
pertains to the general public. I feel it is important that the general public be
aware of who they are hiring to do these types of jobs. I realize that there are

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people who have not obtained the proper certifications to label themselves
as Certified Interior Designers and, that they may possess the knowledge
and understanding. But, where should the general public draw the line? How
do they know that Joe-Shmoe, who may not be certified, is capable of
producing quality work that keeps their safety in check?
In conclusion, I have found evidence that the general public is
somewhat aware of what Interior Designers and Interior Decorators do.
Although most agree that the two are different, there wasnt enough truly
convincing information provided that indicated a strong understanding of
either. Most people did not say anything in regards to commercial design
(possibly because it was not in the questions) which led me to believe that
they were unaware of who did such tasks. As far as Kentuckys qualifications
for an Interior Designer goes; Kentucky is a Title Act state, which means
you must carry a certification in order to label yourself as a Certified Interior
Designer.In the end, it is only up to the professionals to educate the public.

Works Cited:

Lindsey OBrien, 2012, Interior Design Bill Sparks

Controversy, Daily Journal of
o Commerce, in Architecture and Engineering

Interior Design Pro, 2014, The Debate on Regulating Interior Design,

Interior Design Blog

Professional

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NCIDQ Examination, 2015, Differences Between Interior Design &

Decorating

Mod Space Design, 2010, Designer v. Decorator

Libertas Institute, 2015, HB126: Licensure for Interior Designers

Professional Interior Designers Blog, 2014, Interior Designer vs.

Interior Designer- Whats
o The Difference?, Interior Design Profession Legislation Regulation
Licensing
Hyphen Interiors, 2012, Jonathan Alder and Kelly Wearstler- Designers
or Decorators?
KYBOA, 2012, Kentucky Board of Architects, Who is a Certified Interior
Designer?http://boa.ky.gov/Pages/cid.aspx
Lindsey OBrien, 2012, Interior Design Bill Sparks Professional
Controversy, Daily Journal of
o Commerce, in Architecture and Engineering

Interior Design Pro, 2014, The Debate on Regulating Interior Design,

Interior Design Blog

NCIDQ Examination, 2015, Differences Between Interior Design &

Decorating

Mod Space Design, 2010, Designer v. Decorator

Libertas Institute, 2015, HB126: Licensure for Interior Designers

Professional Interior Designers Blog, 2014, Interior Designer vs.

Interior Designer- Whats
o The Difference?, Interior Design Profession Legislation Regulation
Licensing

Hyphen Interiors, 2012, Jonathan Alder and Kelly Wearstler- Designers

or Decorators?

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