The Difference Between Designing and Home Styling

As an interior design studio, we often get asked about the distinction between interior design and home styling. At first glance, they may seem similar, but there’s a key difference in their purpose, scope, and execution. Both play an essential role in creating beautiful, functional living spaces, but they focus on different aspects of the process. Understanding these distinctions can help homeowners, renters, and designers alike make more informed decisions about the services they need.

In this post, we’ll break down the difference between interior design and home styling, and explain how each contributes to making a space truly shine.

1. Interior Design: Function Meets Aesthetic

What It Is: Interior design is a comprehensive and holistic approach to creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also highly functional. It involves a deep understanding of architecture, space planning, and design principles. An interior designer works on the layout of the entire space, ensuring that all elements—furniture, lighting, materials, and finishes—work together harmoniously while also serving the specific needs of the people who live there.

Core Focus:

• Layout and Space Planning: Interior designers work with architectural plans to optimise the layout of a space. This can include designing floor plans, deciding the placement of walls, windows, and doors, and creating flow throughout the home.
• Functionality: Designers ensure that each space works efficiently, addressing both practical and aesthetic considerations. For example, a kitchen needs to be not only visually appealing but also functional for cooking, storage, and entertaining.
• Structural Changes: Interior designers can also make recommendations for structural changes such as altering floor plans, adding or removing walls, or updating built-in cabinetry to improve the functionality of the space.
• Materials and Finishes: Interior designers are skilled in selecting the right materials and finishes that suit both the functional needs of the space and the desired aesthetic. This includes choosing flooring, wall coverings, lighting fixtures, and furniture.
• Long-Term Vision: Interior design projects tend to have a longer timeline and involve an in-depth process from concept to installation. The goal is to create a cohesive, lasting design that meets the functional and emotional needs of the homeowner.

Example of Interior Design Work: An interior designer might be tasked with transforming an entire open-plan living area by deciding where to place the living room, dining area, and kitchen, ensuring that each zone flows seamlessly into the other. They would also choose furniture that complements the room’s functionality, along with lighting, flooring, and built-in storage solutions.

2. Home Styling: Creating a Cohesive Look

What It Is: Home styling, on the other hand, is the art of curating and arranging objects within a space to enhance its aesthetic appeal. A stylist’s goal is to add the finishing touches that make a space feel warm, inviting, and uniquely personal. Home styling is generally less involved than interior design because it doesn’t require changes to the layout or structure of the space. It’s more about accessorising and arranging furnishings and decor in a way that elevates the room.

Core Focus:

• Accessories and Decor: Home stylists select and arrange decorative items such as throw pillows, artwork, rugs, candles, and plants to enhance the overall ambiance of a room. These pieces often add colour, texture, and personality to the space.
• Furniture Arrangement: A home stylist works with existing furniture to arrange it in a way that maximises the visual appeal and functionality of the room. This may involve creating focal points or ensuring there’s a balanced flow of traffic.
• Colour and Texture: Stylists play a key role in choosing colour schemes, fabrics, and textures that complement the furniture and enhance the overall atmosphere of the space.
• Short-Term or Seasonal Changes: Home styling can be a more temporary or seasonal process. For instance, styling a home for a special occasion, event, or season (like decorating for Christmas or spring) may require quick, impactful changes that don’t involve structural changes.

Example of Home Styling Work: A stylist might come into a well-designed home and refresh the living room by adding a few stylish throw pillows in seasonal colors, placing a beautiful vase of fresh flowers on the coffee table, and styling the shelves with curated books and objects. They would also re-arrange the existing furniture to improve flow and make the space feel more inviting.

Key Differences Between Interior Design and Home Styling

Aspect	Interior Design	Home Styling
Scope	Comprehensive, long-term changes to layout, structure, and function.	Short-term focus on styling and accessorising existing spaces.
Functionality	Balances form and function; addresses practical needs.	Primarily concerned with aesthetics and atmosphere.
Structural Changes	Can involve structural changes, renovations, or new builds.	Does not include structural changes or redesigning layouts.
Planning Involved	Extensive planning, including floor plans, material selection, and design execution.	Styling is more about the final touches—arranging and accessorising.
Project Duration	Long-term, often months, with a focus on enduring design.	Shorter, more seasonal or event-based with a focus on immediate visual impact.
Skill Set	Requires knowledge of architecture, space planning, and construction.	Requires a keen eye for colour, texture, and design accessories.
End Goal	Create a functional, aesthetically cohesive space tailored to the client’s needs.	Enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space, making it feel inviting and visually balanced.

---

When to Choose Interior Design vs. Home Styling

1. Interior Design:

   • You’re building or remodelling a space from scratch or making significant changes to the layout or structure.
   • You want to create a space that works both aesthetically and functionally, meeting the specific needs of your lifestyle.
   • You need professional assistance with selecting permanent materials, finishes, and furniture, as well as space planning.

   Example: If you’ve purchased a new home and want to completely remodel your kitchen and living areas to suit your family’s needs, an interior designer will help guide you through structural decisions, layout choices, and material selections.

2. Home Styling:

   • You’ve already completed the big design work or renovation, and now you want to add the final touches.
   • You want to refresh or update a space without making any permanent changes.
   • You’re preparing your home for an event, special occasion, or sale, and need to enhance the visual appeal quickly.

   Example: If you’re preparing to sell your home, a stylist can help stage it beautifully by rearranging furniture, adding new decor, and making sure every room looks as inviting as possible.

Conclusion:

Both interior design and home styling are essential elements in creating beautiful and functional spaces, but they serve different purposes. Interior design focuses on the foundational aspects of a space, including layout, functionality, and long-term style, while home styling focuses on enhancing the existing design through accessories and decor to create a polished, visually appealing environment.

At SJ Interiors Designs, we understand the difference between these two disciplines and offer tailored services to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether you need a full-scale design overhaul or simply want to style your home to perfection, we’re here to help you create a space that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and taste.

If you're ready to explore how we can help transform your home, reach out today to discuss your vision!

Happy Styling and Designing!
SJ Interiors Designs