Best interior designers and decorators near Verona, NJ

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.

Hiring someone to decorate your Christmas tree costs about $400 on average, ranging from $200 to $1,500 or more, depending on the type of decorating service, size of the tree, location, and materials used to decorate the tree. Price ranges vary by service type:

• Handyperson: $60–$125 per hour

• Professional light installer: $300 per hour

• Interior decorator: $50–$200 per hour

• Christmas tree designer: $600–$1,500 per tree

Professional holiday decorators are used to working with homeowners with varying needs, so the services can include nearly anything related to holiday decorations. Some services you might want to consider include the following:

• Exterior light hanging

• Other exterior decorations

• Exterior tree decorating

• Interior tree design and decorating

• Removing holiday decorations at the end of the season

• Packaging decorations after removal

• Holiday decoration storage

Most interior designers have at least a four-year degree, if not an advanced degree in interior design. Additionally, many states require interior designers to be licensed. If your state does not require licensing, interior designers can take a licensing exam with the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Overall, licensing requirements vary from state to state, but most licenses require certain education levels and experience to qualify. To check the qualifications of your interior designer, use Angi’s state licensing tool.