What is the difference between a designer and an architect?

Guest post by intern, Lillian McConathy

What Is the Difference Between a Designer and an Architect?

When people reach out to us to begin a home project—whether it's a remodel, a new build, or something in between—one of the first questions they ask is: Should I hire a designer or an architect?

It’s a great question—and not always an easy one to answer. These roles are often used interchangeably, especially in casual conversation. Both architects and designers help shape the spaces we live in. But the difference between them isn’t just about vocabulary—it’s about training, responsibility, and the scope of what they’re legally allowed to do.

Understanding that difference early on can save you time, money, and future frustration. More importantly, it sets your project up for success from the start.

The Role of the Architect: Structure, Systems, and the Entire Spatial Experience

Let’s start with the architect. Architects are licensed professionals trained to design buildings from the ground up. That includes everything from room layouts and circulation to structural systems, site placement, energy efficiency, and compliance with local codes and regulations. In short: if it impacts how a building stands, functions, or gets approved—an architect handles it.

But architects, especially at our firm, also shape how a space feels—not just how it stands. We select finishes, fixtures, tile, lighting, and materials. We design built-ins, cabinetry, and millwork. We consider how the light moves across the floor, how textures transition between spaces, and how your home will serve your daily rituals and long-term needs. Everything you might expect from an interior designer—except furniture selection—we do. And we do it with the benefit of architectural training and technical foresight.

We’re also the only professionals legally permitted to stamp construction drawings in most jurisdictions. That stamp is required to submit for permits and begin construction on most building projects. Without it, your project may stall at city hall before a shovel ever hits the ground.

The Licensing Process: What It Takes to Be an Architect

The title “architect” is legally protected in the United States, and for good reason. Becoming one isn’t just about having good taste or knowing how to sketch a floor plan—it’s a years-long process designed to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

To legally call yourself an architect, you must:

• Earn a professional degree in architecture from an accredited institution (usually a 5-year B.Arch or a 2–3 year M.Arch).

• Complete the National Council of Architectural Registration Board intern programs (NCARB), a rigorous, multi-year apprenticeship across multiple areas of practice.

• Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), a six-part exam covering everything from construction documents to project management and building systems.

• Apply for licensure in your state, which may include additional legal or ethics exams.

This is not a casual certification—it’s a profession with deep technical, ethical, and public responsibilities. Architects are trained to think holistically, not just about how a space looks, but how it works, ages, and supports life over decades.

The Role of the Interior Designer: Furnishings, Styling, and Layering Personality

So where does a designer fit in?

Interior designers—and specialists like kitchen and bath designers—are experts in how a space feels once the structural bones are in place. Their focus is on finishes, fabrics, color palettes, furnishings, and the lived experience within a space. Their work dovetails with the architecture, layering in the textures, fabrics, and furnishings that bring a home to life.

Unlike architects, designers are not licensed in most states. While many pursue formal education and certifications, the profession is less regulated. That doesn’t diminish its value—but it does mean the responsibilities differ.

Designers excel at selecting furniture, artwork, and accessories. They help tell your personal story through textiles and decor. At our firm, we love collaborating with designers who bring this layer of meaning and beauty to a space. Working with an architect and an interior designer often is a great way to bring a thoughtful richness to your project, ensuring no detail is overlooked. But it’s important to understand that most of what an interior designer does, we already do—as part of our core architectural scope - and as part of shaping the entire project. Where interior designers really shine is in helping to source the furniture for a project, bringing years of experience, expertise and often trade relationships that gain access to incredible pieces for every project.

Why the Difference Matters

Let’s say you want to renovate your kitchen. If you're swapping out cabinet doors and paint colors, a designer may be a great resource. But if you're moving walls, rerouting plumbing, or modifying the footprint of your house, you’ll need an architect—someone who can evaluate structural impacts, develop permit-ready construction documents, and guide the project from vision to inspection.

Or maybe you’re building a custom home. We’ll study your site, assess solar orientation and zoning laws, develop a detailed materials palette, design your cabinetry, lighting plan, and fireplace—and help make the entire home function and flow beautifully. If you want help selecting furniture and art to complete the picture, a designer can be an ideal complement. But you won’t need a designer just to achieve a beautiful, refined interior—that’s already part of our job.

A Collaborative Approach

At Jill Lewis Architecture, we tailor our services to the scope and complexity of your project. Sometimes that means leading the entire process ourselves—from structure to interior finish selections. Other times, we bring in interior designers for styling, sourcing, and furniture layers that go beyond the architectural envelope.

We’re not territorial—we’re collaborative. We love working with great designers. But we also want clients to understand that when you hire our firm, you’re getting a deep level of interior thoughtfulness baked into the architecture itself.

You don’t need to hire two separate professionals just to have a home that feels cohesive, intentional, and uniquely yours. In many cases, we’ve already got you covered.

Final Thoughts

So what’s the difference between an architect and an interior designer?

• Architects design the structure, layout, systems, and spatial experience of a building. They are licensed professionals with legal and technical responsibility for safety, flow, materials, and code compliance—and they shape interiors in meaningful, tangible ways.

• Interior designers specialize in furnishings, finishes, and decor. They bring warmth, style, and personal expression to a space, and are especially helpful with furniture and art.

Both roles can be valuable. But when you work with our firm, you’re not choosing between form and feeling—you’re getting both. If you’re starting a project and wondering what kind of help you need, let’s talk. We’ll help you find the right team—or be the right team—for your home.

Let me know if you'd like to add examples from recent projects or tweak the tone for a more casual or editorial audience.