Interior Designer vs. Decorator

Interior design reaches far beyond choosing paint and furnishings. Designers shape functional, safe, and beautiful environments from concept through completion. At Studio Lea—Veteran & Women Owned in Denver, Colorado and Kīhei, Maui—our team handles every facet of design, including the “decorator” tasks often assumed to be separate. This guide explains core duties, skills, and why Studio Lea provides both design and decorating under one roof.

Core Responsibilities: Design Meets Decoration

An interior designer manages space planning, technical documentation, and final styling. Traditionally, “interior decorator” referred to selecting fabrics, furniture, and accessories. Today, that distinction is outdated—Studio Lea’s designers do it all. We:

1. Assess & Plan:
   Meet clients to discuss lifestyle, brand identity, or business needs. Measure spaces and review architectural plans.
   

2. Draft Technical Documents:
   Create floor plans, elevations, and 3D renderings using CAD software. Ensure compliance with building codes, ADA guidelines, and fire safety standards.
   

3. Select Materials & Finishes:
   Recommend flooring, paint, lighting, and hardware. Balance durability with aesthetics—like choosing stain-resistant upholstery for family homes or commercial-grade flooring for retail spaces.
   

4. Coordinate Construction:
   Oversee contractors, review bids, and schedule inspections. Verify workmanship on site to align with the design intent.
   

5. Deliver Full Styling:
   Handle what decorators traditionally do: source furniture, art, rugs, and accessories. Arrange final installations and add finishing touches—no separate decorator hire needed.
   

By covering both design and decorating, Studio Lea offers a seamless client experience, eliminating confusion around multiple hires and ensuring cohesive execution.

Crafting Residential Environments

Residential design begins with understanding how clients live. We gather details about routines, entertaining habits, and budget. From there:

• Space Planning:
  Develop layouts that optimize traffic flow and maximize natural light. For example, repositioning walls can open a cramped kitchen to a living area.
  

• Material Choices:
  Select flooring safe for pets or children, and stain-resistant fabrics. In a coastal home, we might specify moisture-resistant finishes to combat humidity.
  

• Installation & Styling:
  Oversee electricians, plumbers, and carpenters during construction. Once hard finishes are in place, we style each room—arranging furniture, hanging art, and layering textiles to reflect a cohesive vision.

Homeowners appreciate having a single point of contact. Instead of hiring separate decorators to “add finishing touches,” our designers integrate styling from day one, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

Designing Commercial Spaces

Commercial projects demand a balance of brand identity, function, and code compliance. Whether it’s an office, restaurant, or boutique hotel, we:

• Develop Brand-Centric Layouts:
  Configure workstations, meeting rooms, and breakout areas to boost productivity. In retail, we design product flow and display zones that drive sales.
  

• Specify Durable Finishes:
  Choose commercial-grade carpeting, fire-rated wall panels, and glare-reducing lighting for high-traffic environments.
  

• Manage Compliance & Safety:
  Ensure ADA accessibility, emergency egress routes, and local occupancy requirements are met. Conduct site reviews to verify contractors follow regulations.
  

• Integrate Decor Elements:
  Source furniture, rugs, and artwork that convey brand personality. Because we handle these decorator tasks, there’s no need to contract a separate stylist—Studio Lea’s team does both design and final installations.
  

By combining technical expertise with finishing craftsmanship, we deliver spaces that function smoothly and leave a lasting impression.

Why Choose Studio Lea?

• Unified Team:
  Our designers handle structural planning and final styling, so clients never juggle separate hires.
  

• National Reach with Local Expertise:
  Operating in Denver and Kīhei means we understand mountain climates and island environments, choosing materials that perform beautifully in each setting.
  

• Veteran & Women Owned:
  Our diverse leadership brings a unique perspective to design, blending service-driven values with creative innovation.
  

• Client-Centered Process:
  From mood boards to final reveals, we maintain transparent communication and rigorous attention to detail.
  
  Interior designers do far more than decorate. They coordinate construction, navigate regulations, and manage budgets—then finish with styling and installation. At Studio Lea, our team seamlessly merges design and decor, ensuring your project—from concept to completion—is cohesive, on time, and on budget. Connect with us today.