What Is The Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Decoration?
Step inside almost any home—from a stately terrace in Paddington to a glass-framed waterfront in McMahons Point—and you’ll likely encounter beautifully considered spaces. But pause for a moment and ask: Was this home brought to life by an interior designer or an interior decorator?
It’s a question that often stirs confusion, even among seasoned renovators.
At Woods & Warner, we hear it all the time: “Aren’t they the same thing?”
Not quite.
While interior design and interior decoration are intrinsically connected—they are distinct professions with different focuses, training, and impact. Understanding the difference is the first step in creating a home that isn’t just visually stunning but deeply functional and entirely yours.
Let’s break it down…
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
An interior designer is your home’s strategic thinker. Our work starts before you choose fabrics or paint colours—it often begins before the walls even go up.
Interior designers are trained to consider how a space functions. We reimagine floor plans, coordinate with architects and builders, and ensure that each design detail aligns with structural requirements, building codes, and the way you actually live. From spatial planning to custom joinery and lighting design, our goal is to create environments that feel intuitive, timeless, and cohesive from the inside out.
Think of interior designers as the composers of the home—shaping rhythm, flow, and functionality.
For example, in our Bayview project, we were asked to breathe new life into a tired residence, transforming it into a classic Australian Outfitter home that felt both grounded and uplifting. Our interior design work began with reimagining the home’s internal flow—introducing a more intuitive layout, integrating clever storage solutions, and designing joinery that was both purposeful and sculptural. These foundational decisions set the stage for us to bring the home to life—layering in character through statement lighting, bespoke upholstery, and curated artworks that spoke to our client’s personality. The result? A home that sings in harmony, inside and out.
What Does an Interior Decorator Do?
Interior decorators are the stylists of the interior world. Their focus lies in the visual—how a space feels aesthetically once it’s already built.
While they don’t move walls or design joinery, decorators consider the following within each Interior Decorating Scheme: rugs; feature lighting; soft furnishing such as bedheads, bedspreads & cushions; lamps; furniture; wallpaper; window-treatments; artwork & accessories. They work with the existing structure, adding polish, warmth, and personality.
A decorator might take a neutral living room and transform it with bold colour choices, sculptural lighting, and textured rugs—each piece thoughtfully chosen to reflect the homeowner’s character and taste. Decorators are, after all, masters at creating joy and harmony through pattern, proportion, and personality.
In other words: where the interior designer sketches the stage, the decorator directs the performance.
A Tale of Two Roles – Working in Harmony
Here’s the beautiful truth: when design and decoration work hand in hand, the result is nothing short of magic.
That’s why, at Woods & Warner, we offer both under one roof. Our studio is built on the belief that every space should function beautifully and express the soul of its inhabitants. We don’t stop at structure, and we don’t start at styling—we weave both into a seamless, client-tailored experience.
In our Cammeray 05 project, for example, it was the synergy of both disciplines that made the home truly sing. The crisp architectural lines of the joinery, the well-planned flow between zones, and the clever use of natural light gave the space structure and logic. Then came the magic—the textured cushions, the buttery velvet accents, the opulent hits of burgundy. It’s in this blending of foundation and finish that we find our sweet spot.
Why Woods & Warner Melds Both Disciplines
Some studios lean one way or the other. But we’ve found that the most transformative projects honour both disciplines—and that’s where we shine.
Our founders, Jacinta and Sonia, built Woods & Warner with a vision to bridge the gap between form and feeling. To them, a beautifully decorated room without good design is like wearing a designer dress that doesn’t fit properly. And a well-designed space without decorative layering? It’s like a novel without its final chapter—it misses the depth and emotional resolution.
By offering an end-to-end service, we provide our clients with more than just a finished room—we deliver a full experience. We collaborate early with architects and builders. We manage the journey from the first sketched floor plan to the final cushion placement. And because we understand both the bones and the soul of a space, the result is harmonious, elevated, and—most importantly—personal.
Let’s Create Your Dream Interior
At Woods & Warner, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all homes. We believe in functional, timeless design that respects your home’s architecture and reflects your personality.
Whether it’s a full-scale renovation requiring architectural foresight, or a room refresh with bold pattern and joyful flair, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.