The Interior Designer Day is celebrated on October 30th, and to mark the date, we clarify the main doubts about the profession.
Submitted at Oct 30, 2025, 8:00 AM
O Dia do Designer de Interiores é celebrado em 30 de outubro e, para marcar a data, esclarecemos as principais dúvidas sobre a profissão (CASACOR/CASACOR)
It may seem simple, but there is an immense study that identifies the best practices to achieve positive sensations through decoration. And this is the role of the interior designer!
These professionals are honored on October 30 and to celebrate this special date, we have prepared a complete guide on interior design for you to understand what this profession capable of transforming homes is all about. Check it out!
Interior design is a field of knowledge responsible for planning and executing projects. More than that, it is thinking of each project in a way that combines comfort and ways to make the most of them.
In this way, the work of an interior designer is entirely related to the creation of more useful spaces. It is the role of this professional to think about aspects such as: circulation and flow of people, integrated projects, colors and combinations, among other aspects that go from choosing furniture to wall and floor coverings.
With that, it becomes clear what is and what the interior designer does. Although it is very related to residential projects, it is the role of this professional to take care of different projects – such as commercial or institutional projects. Always thinking of intelligent ways to combine aesthetics and functionality.
The interior designer is a professional who specializes in planning and decorating internal spaces, aiming for functionality, aesthetics, and the well-being of the occupants. The training of the interior designer is usually in Interior Design, where the course addresses topics such as decoration, ergonomics, environmental psychology, and the use of materials and colors.
The architect, on the other hand, has a broader training, focusing on construction projects and building planning. He studies Architecture, which encompasses everything from the physical structure of the building to its design. Architects work with the design of spaces, whether they are internal or external, and must consider aspects such as structural engineering, sustainability, accessibility, and safety. They can design both interiors and exteriors, in addition to working with legal authorizations and urban regulations.
The interior designer works within spaces that are already built, enhancing them with decorative elements, furniture, lighting, and organization in such a way that optimizes the use of space and is visually appealing. The work involves choosing materials, furniture, colors, and finishes, as well as creating layouts that meet the client's needs. Interior designers can also collaborate with other professionals, such as architects, when the project requires structural changes.
The architect is responsible for the design and construction of buildings, from complete architectural projects to structural details. His work involves planning the space, the height of the building, foundation, and even the exterior part, which includes facades, landscaping, and adapting to the terrain. Furthermore, he deals with aspects such as electrical, hydraulic, and ventilation systems in large-scale projects and may be responsible for project approval with municipal authorities.
The interior designer does not deal with structural changes of the property, and therefore, usually does not need to get involved in licensing or legal regulations for a construction project. He can suggest changes in internal spaces, but these changes are mostly aesthetic and functional, such as reorganizing the arrangement of furniture, changing finishes, or optimizing lighting.
The architect has legal authority to create complete architectural projects and to make structural changes to the property. This includes changes in wall distribution, expansion of spaces, and alteration of the facade. In addition, the architect is the one who handles bureaucracy and regulations, such as obtaining building permits and project approval with public agencies. He also ensures that the project complies with building codes and safety standards.
The interior designer has a specific focus on the aesthetic and functional part of internal spaces. His work is to create visually pleasing, harmonious, and comfortable projects, taking into account the client's personality, ergonomics, and the practical needs of day-to-day life. They care about the arrangement of furniture, lighting, finishes, and materials.
The architect, meanwhile, deals with the entire context of the building, considering the interaction with the external project, the distribution of space, the circulation of people, and the overall structure of the project. His work also involves ensuring that the building meets sustainability, accessibility, thermal comfort, and acoustic standards. The architect therefore works with a broader focus, encompassing the physical construction of the property.
Although both professionals play distinct roles, interior designer and architect can work together on the same project. The architect can be responsible for creating the structure and the layout of the building, while the interior designer takes over the design of the interiors, such as choosing furniture, finishes, colors, and decoration. The collaboration between these two professionals results in well-designed, functionally efficient, and visually pleasing projects.
Understanding how interior design emerged is a way to comprehend its role, its evolutions, and how it has reached what it is today. It is believed that the first way of seeking to organize and create solutions to make a space more practical occurred in 1,000 BC
In ancient times, the priority was only construction, leaving architecture in the background. With the evolution of society, which became more demanding, architecture evolved, and with it, interior design emerged. However, the change happened significantly later. During the 17th and 18th centuries, in the United States and the United Kingdom, the decoration of projects became an important factor and a concern for architects – who until then had been more focused on creating spaces and focusing only on their functionality.
With this new concern, some changes began to occur. One of them was the union of architects and artisans. From this partnership, an alliance began to emerge between functional projects and aesthetic attributes (which is nothing more than interior design, in practice). Some time later, now in the second half of the 19th century, population growth alongside an expansion of the middle class drove the furniture market in industrialized countries. This emerged as a way to elevate social status, with objects that were symbolic and conveyed a sense of nobility and wealth.
Since then, interior design has been refining, and techniques have been developed to create a powerful aesthetic force, but at the same time, functional and practical.
If you are following the reading, you must have realized that decorating interiors is not so simple – especially applied in a context that requires practicality! Therefore, there are several undergraduate courses, in colleges and universities, that develop the professional to create personalized solutions in interior design.
In addition to undergraduate programs, there are also technical courses and postgraduate programs, mainly aimed at professionals already working with construction, such as engineers and architects. It is a profession that today is extremely important. According to Law No. 13.369 enacted in December 2016 (legislation aimed at guiding and supervising the profession), these are the main activities that a designer focused on interior architecture must know:
If you are thinking of becoming an interior designer, but you are not sure if the profession is for you, let us help! Below, check the main skills that an interior design professional should have (or develop):
