EP#3 What's the difference between a Designer and a Decorator?

from Turnkey Design Talk · host Adam Scougall

What’s the difference between and Interior Designer and a Decorator?Let me ask you a question? Do you know the difference between and interior designer and a decorator?We discuss 3 questions to ask yourself if you are deciding which way to go here.Welcome to episode , I’m Adam Scougall of the So You Want To Be An Interior Designer podcast, and welcome to EPISODE 3. My aim for the show is really to teach you the thrills, reveal the spills and show you can create an Interior Design career that fits your lifestyle But first, whether you are just checking if you are the right fit for a new career in design, or wondering how you can improve what's going on in your current design career*Take the quiz over at soyouwanttobeaninteriordesigner.tv/quiz So You Want To Be an Interior Designer?Ok, Now back to the 3 questionsWhat- I’m going to explain the difference and tell you why some people are hung up on the difference between the twoHow- Give you true definition as well as well as why it’s ok to be a hybrid if you want to Why?- Because you want to know your strengths and understand how to position yourselfOk, Now the 3 questions Q 1- Are you interested in function as much as form?· If you find yourself thinking as much about the internal cupboard of the kitchen, as much as the fabric on the roman blind over the sink, you probably have a designer’s mindQ 2- Do you want to do Residential or Commercial projects?· Much of Interior Design specific education is based around commercial elements· Commercial projects will require detailed technical drawings, as well as industry standard codes to be able to get the drawings approved etc· Residential projects allow more details ‘fluff and tease’ than commercial projects.Q 3- Are you techy?· You don’t need to be a technical wizard, but there are tools that you will need to learn to be a designer [ArchiCAD, or even sketch-up]· If you aren’t techy, you can outsource the skills to need the needs of the design market [i.e kitchen/bath/joinery design]Action stepsBefore we jump into today’s episode, I want to share something that I think is going to be really eye-opening for you.It’s called the Turnkey Truth Test.It’s a short self-assessment — just 15 quick questions — designed to show you where your design business might look fine on the outside… but is actually leaking time, confidence, or profit behind the scenes.If you love decorating — furnishings, fabrics, pulling beautiful rooms together — but you So as you’re listening to this — you might already be recognising parts of your own business in what we’ve talked about today.Where things feel harder than they should… Where projects drag… Or where you’re putting in a lot, but not seeing the return.That’s exactly why I created the Turnkey Truth Test.It’s just 15 quick questions, and it will show you where your business might look fine on the surface… but is actually leaking time, moneTake the Turnkey Truth Test at turnkeydesignsuccess.com/quiz — a quick 15-question assessment designed for interior designers and decorators. In just five minutes, you’ll receive a personalised report highlighting where your business is strong, where it may be leaking time, money, or confidence, and what to focus on next to move forward with clarity.If this episode raised questions for you, or you’re feeling stuck in your solo design business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.I offer a 30-minute clarity session where we can talk through where you’re at, what’s getting in the way, and whether I can help.Email me at [email protected]