Architect vs. Interior Designer: Who Should You Hire for Your Home Renovation?

Aug 10

During my 25+ years of working in new home construction, high-end renovations, and curating exquisite home furnishings and decor for my residential clients, I have had the privilege of collaborating with countless skilled professionals - architects included.

Though this is an interior design blog, we value the importance of recognizing our expertise and knowing when to yield the floor to others more skilled in certain situations.

This brings us to the crux of the matter: when planning a significant home renovation, who should you hire first - an interior designer or an architect? Or both?

The journey of transforming your home is filled with critical decisions, among them selecting the right professionals to realize your vision.

Architects and interior designers, while sharing the ambition of creating stunning, practical spaces, offer distinctly different expertise. Grasping these nuances is essential to making an informed choice that aligns perfectly with your renovation aspirations.

The Architect: The Master Planner

What Does an Architect Do?

Architects are licensed professionals who specialize in the planning, design, and construction of buildings. They are responsible for the overall structure, layout, and spatial organization of a project. Architects consider the big picture, ensuring that a building is safe, functional, and compliant with local building codes and regulations. Their work often includes creating detailed blueprints, managing the permitting process, and overseeing construction.

When Should You Hire an Architect?

An architect is essential for large-scale renovations that involve significant structural changes, such as adding a new wing to your home, altering the roofline, or moving load-bearing walls. If your renovation involves expanding the footprint of your home, altering its exterior appearance, or reconfiguring the interior layout, an architect’s expertise is invaluable. (The RIGHT interior designer can also do many of the above mentioned but I will get to that later in the article.)

Architects excel in:

Structural Modifications: If your renovation involves altering the foundation, roof, or overall layout of your home, an architect can ensure that these changes are structurally sound and compliant with building codes.
Building Code Compliance: Architects are well-versed in local zoning laws, building codes, and regulations. They ensure that your renovation meets all legal requirements, which is crucial for avoiding costly delays or fines.
Complex Design Solutions: Architects are skilled at solving complex design challenges, such as integrating new additions with existing structures or designing energy-efficient homes that maximize natural light and ventilation.

The Interior Designer: The Space Curator

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

Interior designers specialize in creating beautiful, functional, and comfortable interior spaces. They focus on the aesthetics, flow, and usability of a space, ensuring that it meets the needs and preferences of the occupants. Interior designers are experts in selecting colors, materials, furnishings, and decor, and they often work closely with clients to bring their personal style to life.

Unlike architects, interior designers typically do not handle structural changes. Instead, they focus on the finer details of a renovation, such as the layout of furniture, the selection of lighting fixtures, and the choice of textiles and finishes. Interior designers are particularly attuned to how a space will be used, and they prioritize creating environments that are both beautiful and practical.

When Should You Hire an Interior Designer?

An interior designer is essential for renovations that focus on improving the look and feel of your home’s interior. Whether you’re updating a single room or reimagining the entire interior of your home, an interior designer can help you achieve a cohesive, polished look that reflects your personal style.

Interior designers excel in:

Aesthetic Appeal: Interior designers have a keen eye for color, texture, and style. They can create harmonious spaces that are visually pleasing and reflective of your personality.
Functional Layouts: Interior designers are experts at arranging furniture and fixtures in a way that maximizes space and functionality. They consider traffic flow, ergonomics, and the practical needs of your household.
Personalization: Interior designers work closely with clients to understand their preferences, lifestyles, and needs. They tailor their designs to create spaces that are uniquely suited to you.
Material and Furnishing Selection: Interior designers have access to a wide range of materials, fabrics, furniture, and decor options. They can help you choose the perfect elements to bring your vision to life.

Architect vs. Interior Designer: Understanding the Differences

While architects and interior designers both play crucial roles in a renovation, their expertise and focus areas differ. Understanding these differences can help you decide which professional is best suited for your project.

Scope of Work: Architects primarily focus on the structure and layout of a building, while interior designers primarily focus on the aesthetics and functionality of the interior spaces. If your renovation involves significant structural changes, an architect may be essential.
That said, as an interior designer, I have worked on many projects where I provided the deliverables for interior structural changes and worked with an engineer to sign off on them or provide more detail for permits. Interior designers also tend to focus on furnishings and decor, as well as the fixtures and finishes to ensure when the project is completed, it is move-in ready!
That is where the RIGHT interior designer can be invaluable.

Licensing and Qualifications: Architects are licensed professionals with extensive training in building design and construction. Interior designers may or may not be licensed, depending on the region, but they are trained in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interiors.
Design Philosophy: Architects approach design from a structural and spatial perspective, considering how a building will stand and function as a whole. Interior designers approach design from a user-centered perspective, focusing on how the occupants will live in and experience the space.
Collaboration: While architects and interior designers can work independently, they often collaborate on larger projects. This collaboration ensures that the structural integrity of the building is maintained while the interior spaces are designed to be both beautiful and functional.

The Case for Hiring an Interior Designer

For many homeowners, hiring an interior designer for a renovation project offers several advantages. Interior designers are experts in creating spaces that are not only visually appealing but also tailored to the needs and lifestyles of the occupants. Here’s why you might consider hiring an interior designer for your renovation:

Attention to Detail: Interior designers are meticulous when it comes to the finer details of a space. They consider everything from the placement of light fixtures to the texture of fabrics, ensuring that every element works together to create a cohesive and inviting environment.
Lifestyle-Centric Design: Interior designers focus on how you will live in and use the space. They take the time to understand your daily routines, preferences, and needs, and they design spaces that enhance your lifestyle. Whether you need a cozy reading nook, a functional home office, or a luxurious master suite, an interior designer can create a space that supports your lifestyle.
Cost-Effective Solutions: While hiring an interior designer is an investment, it can save you money in the long run. Interior designers can help you avoid costly mistakes by guiding you through the selection of materials, furnishings, and finishes. They also help you prioritize your renovation investment, ensuring that you get the most value out of your renovation.
Personalized Style: Interior designers are skilled at translating your style into a cohesive design. They help you navigate design trends and choose elements that reflect your taste while ensuring that the final result is timeless and enduring.
Project Management: Many interior designers offer project management services, coordinating with contractors, vendors, and tradespeople to ensure that your renovation is completed on time and within budget. This can be especially valuable for busy homeowners who may not have the time or expertise to manage a renovation themselves.

Want to know more about working with an interior designer and how to determine the investment you should plan for an interior design project, click the image below for your complimentary Interior Design Investment Guide!

The Ideal Scenario: Collaborating with Both an Architect and an Interior Designer

In some cases, the best approach to a home renovation is to hire both an architect and an interior designer. This is especially true if there are major structural changes to be made to the original which as stated above, requires the expertise and licensing of an architect.

For example, I have a client who hired an architect to design the add-on shop next to their original garage but I am entrusted with reconfiguring most of the interior spaces. My scope includes some basic interior space planning, moving nonstructural walls, new cabinet layouts, new millwork and trims, interior finishes and fixtures then putting the “icing on the cake” with furnishings and decor.

Sometimes we work hand in hand with architects joining all parties in the design meetings, providing input, etc., other times we review the architect’s deliverables and request changes within those spaces based on our knowledge of the client’s interior vision.

This collaboration allows you to benefit from the expertise of both professionals, ensuring that your renovation is structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

Architectural Expertise, Interior Design Vision: An architect can create the overall plan for your renovation, ensuring that the structure and layout are functional and aligned with your goals. An interior designer can then bring this vision to life by selecting materials, finishes, and furnishings that complement the architecture and enhance the space.
Holistic Design Approach: Collaborating with both an architect and an interior designer allows for a holistic approach to design. The architect ensures that the building is safe, functional, and compliant with regulations, while the interior designer focuses on creating spaces that are beautiful, comfortable, and suited to your lifestyle.
Seamless Integration: When an architect and interior designer work together, the result is a seamless integration of structure and style. The interior spaces flow naturally from the architecture, creating a cohesive and harmonious environment.

The decision of whether to hire an architect, an interior designer, or both ultimately depends on the scope and goals of your renovation project. If your renovation involves significant structural changes, an architect is essential.

However, if your focus is on improving the interior aesthetics and functionality of your home, an interior designer is the right choice.

For many homeowners, the best solution is to hire both an architect and an interior designer, ensuring that all aspects of the renovation are expertly handled. This collaboration allows you to create a home that is not only structurally sound but also beautifully designed and tailored to your lifestyle.

In the end, whether you choose an architect, an interior designer, or both, the most important factor is finding professionals who understand your vision and are committed to bringing it to life.

With the right team in place, your home renovation will be a rewarding and transformative experience, resulting in a space that you’ll love for years to come.

If you are ready to explore how we can help you transform your home, let’s chat!

Until then next time,

…be surrounded by beauty!
Christine

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Hi! I’m Christine...

…and my mission is to help homeowners be surrounded by beauty in their homes. I love it when my clients are thrilled to spend all their time in their newly designed spaces. Let’s make that dream of a gorgeous mountain home a reality!