The Two D's of Home Improvement - Design and Decorate

A great deal of time is spent at home. It is a refuge from a hard day of work and a place to enjoy family activities and gatherings.

We want to make our home attractive, comfortable and efficient for our use. In the process of decorating our home, we want to make sure it fits the architecture of the space. Designing the interior provides a certain "feel." Interior decoration includes applying wallpaper, painting the walls, choosing furniture and fittings such as light fixtures, and adding decorative elements such as paintings, flowers, and statuary.

The concept of home interior decoration began in the late 18th century. The concept has evolved over the years and has gone through many trends and transitions. Today, home interior decoration and design focuses on innovative ways to decorate on a budget.

The objective of interior decorating is to improve the home functionally and have it to reflect the owner's tastes and personality in a unique way. This is a challenge.

An interior designer and/or an architect can help with the design and decoration. In years past, there has been a distinction made between an interior designer and an interior decorator.

Interior decorating focuses on finishing such as wallpaper, window covering, furnishings, and paint. Interior design deals with the architecture in addition to the decoration. Interior design is focused on the space as a whole such as the layout of the rooms as well as custom made furnishings.

Color palettes change, the same as in fashion, as trends change. Color is also a unique preference. While some homeowners may follow current trends, others may use colors that fit their personality whether they are in vogue or not.

Innovative home interior decorating ideas which cost less but give the impression of being up-to-date decorating schemes are what young professionals and newly married couples are trying to achieve. Most of these ideas are eclectic decorating styles in which the home owner can put their own stamp of uniqueness. Harmony has to be balanced with uniqueness so that the home provides functionality.

In one year alone, homeowners spent approximately $175 billion on home improvement. About 65% of this can be attributed to interior decoration. Most money is spent on improving bathrooms and kitchens. Growing in popularity are specialty rooms such as home theaters and craft rooms.

There are new trends, new styles, new decorative elements, and new colors each year. It is difficult to keep track of these trends. The important rule in home decorating is that whatever you choose to do with your home be functional and comfortable for you.

Interior Designer Vs Decorator - Who is Who?

People talk about an interior designer and a decorator as two professionals who do exactly the same thing, but nothing is furthest from the truth. Although both may possess the same abilities and talents to create gorgeous spaces, there are important differences between the two.

So, what exactly are these differences that are so fundamental but still not recognized even by dictionaries?

As the American Society of Interior-Designers states, an interior designer is a person who is "professionally 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 lead to a healthy, safe and comfortable physical environment." Basically, interior design is the art and science of understanding human behavior so as to create living spaces.

Interior-designers have lots of responsibilities; they organize a space to work for a certain activity; they ensure the designs comply with building and safety codes; they manage the whole process of construction and installation of a design; they design for the right acoustics and lighting; they are responsible for choosing the fixtures, furnishings, products, materials and colors.

In many states, interior designers require a license to work, and they have to take a test to earn it. Only then, is the interior designer acknowledged as a professional with the right qualifications to make difficult decisions in regards to living spaces.

In contrast, interior decorators only worry about the surface decoration, this is, fabrics, paint, furnishings, lighting, and other materials. Decoration is the act of adorning and furnishing a space with beautiful things.

Besides doing the above, interior designers also have to worry about many other things. While a decorator will just have to select the floor's type, color, and texture, the designer will have to also consider the use it will be given, the acoustics it will produce, how flammable it is, its toxic properties, and the static electricity requirements, among others.

The interior designer's main concern is the human interaction and behavior that will accompany a space; this is not so for the interior decorator. The decorator centers on visual beauty, while the designer works to make beautiful work in terms of functionality, efficiency, and safety as well.

It is important to recognize each professional for what they do. Both do valuable and specific work that is worth acknowledging. Contact a local interior designer in Seattle and confirm the value of true experience.

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