<p>The two terms are often believed to mean the same thing, but the truth could not be more different. </p>
<p><em>While one needs formal training in order to become an interior designer, the same cannot be stated about the interior decorator, whose mission is to take care of the aesthetics of a certain space. Therefore, before contacting any of the above, make sure you know exactly what you want to improve at your house.</em></p>

Interior design vs. interior decorating

<p>When planning to get started with decorating your house, there are a few things you should pay special attention to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Choosing the style: one style applied to the entire house provides unity and harmony</li>
<li>Making sure there is a certain balance in regards to the visual weight within a room</li>
<li>Choosing focal points for each piece: it could be basically anything you want your visitors to pay most of their attention to</li>
<li>Choosing the right color palette can easily transform a small room into an appropriate-sized one</li>
<li>Choosing and mixing patterns provides a more interesting design.</li>
</ul>

Get started with decorating your house

<ul>
<li>Once you have some tips on decorating, the job is half done. However, you still have to pay attention to how you arrange the objects inside of a room. </li>
<li>Furthermore, artwork can prove extremely useful and enhancing the beauty of a piece when displayed properly. </li>
<li>Last but not least, the furniture has its major role here: choose carefully what is worth spending lots of money on and what is not. </li>
</ul>
<p>Should you take into account the above-mentioned pieces of advice, you are bound to have one of the best decorated houses.</p>

The decorating process

<h1>Decorating 101: Interior Design Basics</h1><div dir="ltr">
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Updated 02/10/20</span>
</div><figure><img src="https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/_UEIkgsgGTE2oFyljQc829q8pCg=/960x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1161177015-f1de4ba58a6c4f50969d9119d80405a6.jpg" alt="a well-decorated living room" width="445" height="297"><figcaption dir="auto"> 

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KatarzynaBialasiewicz&nbsp;/ Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>If you weren't born with the ability to imagine a room complete with furniture placement, wall hangings, and rug and accent choices, it is something you can develop and hone over time. Learn the basics of home decorating, including design principles, decorating styles, and answers to decorating challenges.&nbsp;</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Interior Design Compared With Interior Decorating </span> </h2><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/interior-design-vs-interior-decorating-1976740" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Interior design and interior decorating</a> are often mistaken for the same thing, but the terms are not completely interchangeable.&nbsp;Interior design is a profession that requires specific schooling&nbsp;and formal training, including space planning, furniture design, and architecture. An interior decorator does not have that formal training and focuses on the aesthetics and the surface appearance of a space. Who you would hire depends on whether you have any structural work or space planning to be done or you need someone to plan the decor only.</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Elements of Decor </span> </h2><p dir="ltr">Your first step should be to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thespruce.com/style-guides-for-home-interiors-1977577" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">select a style</a>&nbsp;for your home interior. This will promote the design principle of unity and harmony, thinking of the entire home with a unifying theme. It can be as simple as choosing <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/decorating-your-home-for-a-casual-look-1977576" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">casual</a> instead of <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/elegant-formal-style-decorating-1977579" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" dir="ltr">formal</a> or <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/decorating-in-the-traditional-style-1977669" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4" dir="ltr">traditional</a> instead of <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/designer-guide-to-contemporary-style-1976503" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5" dir="ltr">contemporary</a>.&nbsp;From there, you can refine it to a more specific style, such as <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/essential-elements-of-french-country-style-1976888" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="6" dir="ltr">French country</a>, <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/tuscan-style-decorating-1977255" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="7" dir="ltr">Tuscan</a>, <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/modern-victorian-decorating-1977573" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="8" dir="ltr">modern Victorian</a>, or <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/decorating-for-a-shabby-chic-look-1976513" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="9" dir="ltr">shabby chic</a>.</p><p>Balance is another principle—distributing the visual weight in a room. You can do it symmetrically, as is common in traditional interiors, or with asymmetrical balance as seen in casual interiors.</p><p>Within each room there should be a focal point. In a living room, it could be the fireplace or a piece of art. It sets itself apart by scale, color, or texture.</p><p>Contrast and variety add visual interest to a room. Keep rhythm in mind with repeating elements of the same color, texture, or pattern, and a progression of sizes or colors.</p><figure><img src="https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/lpNimlGXJgDJUd0q6_DpQ1TRjAE=/2121x1414/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/luxury-and-modern-home-interior-with-design-furniture--armchair--tables--pouf-and-accessroies--a-lot-of-plants-in-the-room--white-walls-with-abstract-image--stylish-decor-of-sitting-room--1125385998-a5ad5e7f5b4148b4bf6f952761e78a1f.jpg" alt="Luxury and modern home interior with design furniture, armchair, tables, pouf and accessroies. A lot of plants in the room. White walls with abstract image. Stylish decor of sitting room."><figcaption dir="auto">FollowTheFlow / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Color </span> </h2><p dir="ltr">Choosing a color palette&nbsp;is an essential part of interior design. While you could have a different style and color scheme in each room, often you will want to tie the whole dwelling together. Consider the right colors for a small room&nbsp;as well as <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/large-room-design-top-tips-for-decorating-452242" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">colors and patterns for a large room</a>.</p><figure><img src="https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/nYfZsRfSzkPiFCSvx4FaaUrFzdo=/5746x3831/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/plants-in-living-room-694095014-02e3e2975887463a8fe8713a5e8e6c5c.jpg" alt="Plants in living room"><figcaption dir="auto">KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Patterns </span> </h2><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/mix-patterns-in-your-decor-4165951" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Mixing patterns in home decor</a>&nbsp;is one of the more advanced parts of interior design. <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/design-dilemma-patterns-2213501" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">Patterns</a> do not have to match, but they need to complement and coordinate with each other. This is done by considering color, size, and scale.</p><figure><img src="https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/4QIM9neGf5VPLLykAUzmwa7SWhs=/2121x1414/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/patterned-carpet-in-decorative-living-room-interior-with-painting-above-couch--real-photo-996692496-dec2473f5d434d2c8eb50a7cd18b3758.jpg" alt="Patterned carpet in decorative living room interior with painting above couch. Real photo"><figcaption dir="auto">KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Tips to Get Started With Your Decor </span> </h2><p dir="ltr">A <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/expert-guide-to-interior-decorating-guides-1976544" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">major pitfall</a> that traps untrained decorators is editing. A good interior decorator can scan a room and understand what items work in a room and when something is too much, tasteful, or requires embellishment. A few tips in this area can make or break your <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-decorate-your-home-room-by-room-4118367" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">room's design choices</a>.</p><p>One room element that can usually use an editorial eye is how pillows are placed. Pillows can be a nice accent adding to the room's color story, or in some cases, even create a focal point for the room. However, some people have a tendency to overdo it with pillows. Avoid overloading a sofa to the point that a guest has to move all the pillows just to sit down.</p><p>Choices of artwork can be important for a room, but equally consider how you display it. A rule of thumb is to set wall hangings at eye-level. Similarly, the height you set the chandelier matters. A common mistake people make is hanging a chandelier too high or close to the ceiling. Drop it low enough that it brings light into the room and is noticed. If you hang it above a table, make sure that when you sit up from the table, your or any taller guests cannot knock into it.</p><p dir="ltr">Furnishings are a big investment and account for a large part of the budget of room decor. If you are on a tight budget, there are <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/saving-and-splurging-on-furniture-1976536" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">some items you should splurge</a>&nbsp;on. The two most important pieces of furniture—likely the items that will get the most use—are your sofa and bed. Spend more on those pieces. Save on area rugs, accent tables, and wall art. A mixture of high-ticket items with less expensive options is a trick of the trade that makes the room still feel stylish without breaking the bank.</p><UL><LI><img src="https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/L8RbT-3TaiA5hE3tffcQ-_e5a9E=/425x326/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Stocksy_txp6145e527HXb200_Medium_2521696-9271b058e379443192425d55ae0cdd5f.jpg"></LI></UL>

Get started with interior design by learning the principles of decor and how to select a style.

Interior Design Basics for Each Room of Your House

Interior design vs. interior decorating

Get started with decorating your house

The decorating process

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