Two terms are greatly confused with each other, and there is a genuine reason to have some ambiguity in the terms but we are going to make everything clear in a short while. The unifying factors of the two sets of activities are that they deal with improving the appearance of a room.

That being said there are quite reasonable differences between the two terms as shown below:

Interior design involves studying people’s needs and structure systems that meet those needs and requirements. For example, designing a simple entry into a house or a room can look simple but requires a lot of designing. On the contrary, an interior decorator will seek to fill the designed designated locations with furniture and other accessories.

Also, an interior designer will require specific training and eventually a license to operate but an interior decorator can be just a person following his /her passion without any training or certifications from any regulating body. That being said, it is not to mean that you do not require training to be a decorator, you actually do; it is only that it is not a legal requirement to do so.

Due to those certificate limitations, an interior designer can execute both tasks, but an interior decorator can only do room decorations only.

Based on all the above reasons, it is evident that interior designers’ obligation is to make a place more functional, appealing, and easy to use but on the other hand the main work of the interior decorator is to add aesthetic value as well as implement some of the recommendation from the interior designer to make the place habitable.

As a result of the crucial role a designer will have to the utility of a house, it is advisable to engage a designer right from the start of drawing the house. That is, let the interior-designer work hand in hand with the architects and engineers. However, an interior designer can also design a house or room that is already fully built. This is the main distinction here since you do not require a decorator until the designer is done.

Based on all these, which one is easier or better

A simple answer would credit both professions as good on an equal rating since you cannot stay or work in a room that has not been decorated and working in a nicely designed environment improves productivity.

Confusing? No, the statement just says that you can work in a room which is not designed as long as it has the necessary amenities like a chair and may be the best corner desk. These are work of a decorator but they are also DIY projects.

So, regarding easiness, decorating is easier while in terms of which one is better, interior design is better since a designer can work as a decorator too but the reverse is not true.

Conclusion

After reading through all the contents and analyzing all the viable points, it is evident that a designer is better than a decorator. However, you can start as a decorator and progress with relevant training to achieve a designer status.

Decoration has a smoother running curve compared to designing. Do not assume the role of a decorator as he/she is the one responsible for what your visitors or clients will be seeing, a nice set of seats, well-placed artworks, nice color blending and many other visual things.