Do You Need an Architect or Interior Designer?
If you’re planning a home renovation or new build, you’re probably wondering if you need an architect or an interior designer. The answer depends on the scope of your project—are you planning on making structural changes, designing a new layout, or needing help selecting the right finishes and furniture? In this post, we’ll break down the differences between the two, where their roles overlap, and when you might need an architect, an interior designer, or both.
Architect or Interior Designer? Here’s the main difference:
Both architects and interior designers play essential roles in shaping a home, but their expertise is very different. Architects focus on the big-picture structure of a building—its exterior design, and overall layout, and ensuring that it meets safety codes. They handle the overall building foot print, structural integrity and systems (electrical and HVAC), and city permits.
Interior designers, on the other hand, focus on all the little details inside the home’s envelope—how a space functions and feels. That includes optimizing the floor plans from the architect, designing custom millwork, selecting materials and finishes, and planning for lighting and furnishings. Some interior designers (myself included) specialize in interior construction, meaning we help refine floor plans with a focus on how the home will actually be used, design custom cabinetry, create lighting plans, and more—essentially bridging the gap between architecture and decor.
So what exactly does an architect do?
Architects are responsible for the big-picture structure of a home—how it’s built, how it stands, and how all the major systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) fit together. Their expertise lies in structural design, exterior aesthetics, spatial planning, and ensuring everything is up to code. Architects essentially create overall floor plans and the construction drawings that contractors follow to build the shell of the home.
An architect is typically required for:
New builds – Designing a home from the ground up.
Major additions – Adding square footage through an extension or building a second story.
Roofline changes – Altering the overall structure, such as raising ceiling heights or adding dormers.
Permitting & zoning – Ensuring plans (especially for new construction) meet city codes and regulations.
For example, if you’re expanding your home by adding a second floor or extending the footprint with a major addition, you’ll likely need an architect to plan the shell and structural components. For interior renovations that stay within the existing footprint (ie they don’t need a new foundation poured or a new roof) if you have an interior designer that specializes in interior construction, an architect may not be necessary.
A floor plan from an architect for a custom home project, notice this is showing dimensions of where walls will go, structural elements, and systems such as HVAC locations. This plan, like most from architects, show very limited materiality so building just off these plans will get you a shell but not a home.
The Interior Designers’ Role:
Interior designers focus on how a space functions, feels, and supports your everyday life. While architects are concerned with structure, designers zoom in on the details that affect how you live in a space—everything from layout and lighting to finishes and furnishings.
We help you make all the necessary decisions in a new build or remodel like:
• How will your kitchen layout support how you cook and entertain?
• Which drawer should hold your silverware and where will your pots/pans go?
• What countertop material will hold up best for your lifestyle (hint: maybe not marble if your kitchen sees heavy use)?
Interior designers specialize in:
Space planning – Making sure rooms flow well and furniture fits comfortably.
Materials & finishes – Selecting surfaces, tile, paint, lighting, and hardware that work with your aesthetic and lifestyle.
Cabinetry & millwork design – Designing storage that’s beautiful and functional.
Furnishings & decor – Creating a cohesive, layered look that reflects your personal style.
Essentially, interior designers bridge the gap between an architect and a decorator to make sure that your home not only looks beautiful but supports the way you actually live.
Not sure how an interior designer is different from an interior decorator? This post breaks down exactly what you need to know: The Difference Between Interior Designers vs. Interior Decorators.
The same custom home floor plan in our interiors drawing set, notice we’re showing the furniture, floor finishes AND installation pattern, finish notes, and elevations that tie to details showing cabinet layouts, what finishes go on which walls, etc.
How Architects & Interior Designers Work Together:
We find that the strongest projects come from a collaborative effort between the architect and the interior designer. Each brings a unique perspective and skill set to the table—and when they work together from the start, the result is a home that’s both structurally sound and beautifully tailored to the people who live there.
Think of it like this: architects design the structure, and interior designers refine the experience inside it. An architect might plan out the home’s layout and window placements, but it’s the interior designer who ensures the kitchen has a functional workflow, the primary bathroom layout feels intuitive, and the finishes tie everything together seamlessly.
In the best-case scenario, the two collaborate early in the process—so the architecture supports the interior design, and vice versa. This avoids costly changes down the line and results in a space that feels intentional, inside and out.
So…do you need an architects or interior designer or both?
So—who should you hire for your project? The answer depends on the scope of work and what kind of expertise your project really needs.
When to hire an architect:
If you’re building a new home or adding square footage (like an addition or second story), you’ll definitely need an architect. Architects are required when the project involves structural changes that affect the foundation or roofline, or if your city requires architectural plans to pull permits.
When to hire an interior designer:
If your project stays within the existing footprint of your home, an interior designer who specializes in interior construction is often the best fit. Designers help with reworking layouts, designing millwork, selecting finishes, planning lighting, and furnishing your space—all while keeping things cohesive and tailored to your lifestyle.
This is also where NCIDQ certification comes into play—certified interior designers have specialized training in interior construction, code compliance, and space planning. We are also able to stamp plans for permits for projects using the existing footprint of your home likely reducing the need for separate consultants. Learn more about NCIDQ certification and why that matters for your project in this blog post.
When you need both:
If you plan on adding square footage to your home through an addition or are planning on building a custom home, bringing on both an architect and an interior designer will ensure your home functions well and feel like you. You get the best of both worlds—an architect to create the structure, and a designer to make sure the interior layout and details support how you actually live in the space.
Whether you’re planning a renovation, addition, or building a custom home from the ground up, having the right team in place makes all the difference. If you’re unsure whether you need an architect, an interior designer, or both—we’d love to help you figure that out.
At Paige Studio, we specialize in designing interiors that are just as functional as they are beautiful, and we collaborate closely with architects when a project calls for it. We also have a network of architects in the Dallas area that we trust and love working with—so if you’re looking to build your dream team, we’ve got you covered.
Book a complimentary project planning call to get started—we’d love to hear what you’re working on.
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