ARCHITECTE, INTÉRIEUR, DÉCORATEUR : QUELLES DIFFÉRENCES ?

You want to redo your interior but are hesitating about which professional to contact ? Three professions coexist, and are often confused. The architect modifies the building's structure. The interior designer rethinks the layout and ergonomics without touching the structural work. The decorator dresses the space with colors, furniture, and finishes. The right choice depends mostly on the nature of your work, and this article gives you a simple analytical framework to decide according to your actual project.

The architect (HMONP/DPLG): the master of the structure

The architect intervenes on the building's envelope. They design load-bearing walls, facades, and extensions and vertical extensions. Its field covers structural work and the solidity of the structure.

Its title is protected by law. You can consult the conditions of practice of the profession of DPLG or HMONP architect with the Order of Architects. This regulation stems from the law of 3 January 1977 on architecture.

The architect is the only one authorized to sign certain building permit applications. They assume liability for the structure and compliance with urban planning rules.

Here is a useful professional tip before making a decision. If your project changes the intended use of a property, for example converting a garage into a living space with facade modifications, using an architect becomes mandatory as soon as the total floor area exceeds 150 m². This rule is detailed on Service-Public. Below this threshold, or to rethink the internal layout, the interior designer remains the ideal partner.

The architect interior designer: the specialist in space

The architect interior design works within existing structures. They optimize volumes, manage light, and rethink the flow between rooms. Their goal remains daily use and comfort.

At L&DP Atelier, this approach guides every restructuring project. Hiring an interior designer to rethink your spaces makes it possible to transform a home without altering its heavy structure.

This professional also designs kitchens, walk-in closets, and custom furniture. They produce schematic plans intended for craftspeople. However, they do not perform structural calculations themselves, but can call upon an external service provider.

You will find several examples of interior restructuring carried out using this logic.

The decorator: the expert in ambiance and finishes

The decorator works on the visible layer of your interior. They choose colors, materials, textiles, and furniture. Their work enhances a room without breaking any partitions.

Their intervention is perfectly suited for an aesthetic refresh. You keep the existing layout and focus on overall harmony. This is often the final stage of a renovation.

The decorator modifies neither the structure nor the layout of the walls. Their role remains the atmosphere and decorative coherence of the whole.

The frequent mistake never to make

Entrusting the removal of a load-bearing wall to a decorator or a masonry company without qualified validation puts the building at risk. A load-bearing wall supports the weight of the upper floor. Its removal requires the study of a structural engineer or an engineering firm.

In Nice, this precaution takes on an additional dimension. The Metropolitan Local Urban Plan (PLUm) of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis strictly regulates facade modifications in certain neighborhoods. Non-compliant work can lead to a refusal of authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you need a degree to be an interior designer? The title of interior designer is not protected by law, unlike that of an architect. Quality is therefore judged by the provider's portfolio, references, and professional insurance.

Who should you choose to completely renovate an apartment? To entirely rethink the layout without touching the structure, the interior designer is sufficient. If the work involves load-bearing walls or facades, they rely on a structural engineer and, depending on the project, an architect.

Which professional can submit a building permit application? Only an architect registered with the Order can sign a building permit application as soon as the legal threshold of surface is reached. Below, an individual can to submit his application himself.

Conclusion

Each profession has a precise scope of action. The architect protects the structure, the interior optimized interior usage and decorator cure the atmosphere. Good identify your real need guarantees success aesthetic, functional and legal of your project. The good question is not « what degree? » but « what is the nature of my work? ».

To go further: discover the difference between an architect and an interior designer, how to choose your interior designer in Nice and how much an interior designer costs in Nice in 2026.