A Home Designer is a Decorator?

Home Design

A Home Designer is a Decorator? It is important to understand the distinct differences between the various titles associated with home design and interior decorating projects. Why? Because simply put, there is a difference between a home designer and a decorator.

A professional home designer, also known as a building designer, specializes in designing light-frame buildings, such as single-family homes, and decorative facades for larger buildings. So, if you want to create custom plans for your home or remodel your existing home, then it is a professional home designer you want to hire. A home decorator, on the other hand, is someone who could assist you with choosing interior designs for your home. While the titles are sometimes used interchangeably, a home designer is not a decorator.

Not to be confused as an architect, a professional home designer is not legally required to pass exams or receive special licenses. However, a designer who has the title Certified Professional Building Designer, or CPBD, has completed training courses, passed an exam, and has built a portfolio. A certified building designer will have a broad background in construction, problem solving, and architectural design, and may have studied architecture or structural engineering on the job, under the supervision of a building designer, architect, or structural engineer.

Consult with several different home designers in order choose someone you feel is right to help you build your dream home. How long has the home designer been in business? Has the designer worked on the type of project you are doing?

If you are consulting with someone, ask if he/she is the home designer who will be designing and drawing your home.

Does the home designer work with only certain builders? The designer should bring pictures of past projects. The designer should have creative and practical ways of achieving your remodel or custom home plans, while staying on budget.

Will you be expected to pay for property visitations during the construction process?

Is the home designer familiar with the costs of the construction process?

If building a custom home, make sure you have a topographical survey of your property. A good home designer will have a list of references with positive reviews.

Once you have selected your designer, she should assess your needs, desires, and budget during the initial design phase, and should familiarize herself with your property’s positive and negative concerns. Knowing your property well will help you avoid costly mistakes. Consider these other benefits of hiring a professional designer.

Benefits of hiring a home designer
A home designer can help you build the unique home of your dreams, while ensuring that your family and budget needs are met as well as the needs of your property. Good home designers create plans with resale benefits in mind. Professional designers keep up with design trends, yet also know how to create timeless designs.

Choosing to hire a professional home designer to help you realize the home of your dreams is an important decision. Define your design goals, consult with potential home designers, and ask the right questions to ensure you find a home designer who will help you build the home of your dreams.