Sometimes it’s unclear whether a home improvement project will require the services of an interior designer, a home architect, or both home design professionals. Understanding the difference between architects and interior designers will help you as a homeowner to decide which profession needs to be employed for your home design project.

Architects versus Interior Designers

Interior home design includes some elements of architecture, and many architects work with interior design in mind. However, while it’s true that these two professions are related, there is one fundamental difference between them: Architects deal with the creation of space, while interior designers tend to work with available space.

Home architects are fundamentally concerned with a building’s structure, and making sure that the structure meets building codes. Architects tend to focus on the technical requirements of a space and its structural components.

In comparison, home interior design focuses on the homeowner’s use of available space. Instead of creating the space, an interior designer is concerned with the details of a room. They will consider aspects such as the following:

• How easily people move through and use the room
• How well the room fulfills its main functions
• How well the room’s different features blend together.

Interior designers do sometimes physically modify space, removing walls or building in-wall storage space for instance. However, an interior designer will not proceed with removing a wall without first discussing the matter with an engineer or architect.

Deciding Between Architects and Interior Designers

Here’s one way to decide whether you need the services of an interior designer or a home architect. Start inside the space you’re working with, and think about what you want to accomplish with that space.

Now ask yourself: Does the area need to be physically altered by adding an extension, knocking out supporting walls or similar actions? Or can you achieve what you want within the space by rearranging the space, improving ergonomics or redoing the lighting?

If physical changes to the room’s structure are needed, you should consider a home architect. If optimizing existing space is what’s needed to achieve your goals, an interior designer would be a more effective choice. Occasionally, a project will require the input of both an architect and an interior designer.

If you have difficulty determining which solution would work best for you, an interior designer or other home design professional would be able to decide whether you need a home architect or an interior designer. And, of course, sometimes you don’t have to choose: Some interior designers are also trained in home architecture.