Interior Architect or Interior Designer: What’s the Difference and How to Choose?

When transforming your interior, one question almost always comes up:
Should you hire an interior designer or an interior architect?

Both professions are complementary, but they do not address the same needs. Understanding the difference helps avoid poor decisions — and unnecessary expenses.

🎨 The role of the interior designer

An interior designer mainly works on:

  • colors

  • materials

  • furniture

  • overall atmosphere

They operate without altering the structure of the space.

👉 This is a good solution to:

  • refresh an interior

  • harmonize an existing décor

  • focus on style and aesthetics

🏗️ The role of the interior architect

An interior architect goes further.
They work on:

  • space planning

  • circulation

  • volume optimization

  • sometimes modifying partitions

  • the overall project concept

👉 They design the space before thinking about decoration.

⚠️ Why confusion can be costly

Many projects start with decoration… when they actually require spatial planning first.

Common consequences include:

  • poorly sized furniture

  • inefficient use of space

  • budget spent too early

  • the need to redo or correct things later

👉 A poorly designed project always costs more than a well-thought-out one.

🧩 The importance of a global design approach

A successful interior is not just beautiful.
It must be:

  • functional

  • fluid

  • adapted to your lifestyle

  • durable over time

This is where a global approach — including plans, volumes, and circulation — makes all the difference.

🌿 And what about Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is not symbolic decoration.
It is a way of reading space based on:

  • flows

  • orientations

  • usage

  • how a place feels

👉 When integrated from the design phase, it helps create spaces that are:

  • more calming

  • more balanced

  • more coherent on a daily basis

✅ How do you know what you really need?

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I need to modify the layout?

  • Do I need to optimize the space?

  • Is my interior functional on a daily basis?

  • Am I afraid of making the wrong choices?

If the answer is yes to at least one of these questions, a global design approach is essential.

Every project is unique.
What matters most is not choosing a profession, but choosing the right approach for your project.

👉 Hesitating between interior design and interior architecture? No need to choose, I'm both!

Based in Castres, I also work on projects in Toulouse and across the Occitanie region.
👉 Book a discovery call to clarify your project and move forward with confidence.