Get matched with top interior designers and decorators in Pocasset, MA

Before hiring an interior designer, ask a few questions to better understand how they work, what’s expected of you, and what they promise to deliver.

• How long will the project take to complete?

• What type of services do you offer?

• Can you provide a project estimate?

• Do you work with subcontractors?

• Are you licensed or certified in this state?

• Do you have a portfolio of previous work I can review?

• May I contact your customer references?

• How do you handle change orders?

• How do you handle payment?

Deciding to hire an interior designer or an interior decorator is entirely dependent on what you’re looking for out of your project and your budget. Interior decorators typically cost less than interior designers, both in hourly rates and overall project costs. 

If you want to add furnishings to your home but it’s otherwise set with permanent fixtures, an interior decorator would be best for you. However, if you are looking to remodel your home or are building a new home and would like help with permanent structures like cabinets, showers, and overall layouts, an interior designer is best.  

While the terms 'interior designer' and 'interior decorator' are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct professions with some overlapping work. The primary difference lies in the scope of their projects.

An interior decorator focuses on the aesthetics of a space, making less permanent decisions about decor. Their work involves selecting colors, fabrics, furniture, wall art, paint, and other finishes to 'dress' a room and enhance its style.

An interior designer has a broader scope that includes a decorator's aesthetic focus but also extends to the structural and functional aspects of a space. Designers are qualified to plan layouts, make structural changes, and manage overall functionality. They handle permanent decisions regarding fixtures like cabinets and bathtubs, establish floor plans, and may hire contractors.

Due to the technical skills required, interior designers typically have formal education, certification, and may hold a license, which can result in higher fees. As a general rule, it is best to hire an interior designer for major remodeling projects and an interior decorator for projects focused on establishing or refreshing a home's interior style.

Mid-century modern design focused primarily on two things: simple, functional furniture, often with geometric shapes, and specific color palettes that included earth tones and what we’d today call retro colors. Furniture often blended different materials, like teak or oak wood, with vinyl, metal, and glass. Common mid-century modern paint colors included browns, reds, burnt oranges, yellows, aqua greens, and whites.