When planning a home renovation or new build, many homeowners in Ireland find themselves wondering: What’s the difference between an interior designer and an architect? Both play essential roles in shaping our living spaces—whether it’s a large-scale extension or kitchen interior design in Dublin—but they focus on very different aspects of the home. Put simply, […]
When planning a home renovation or new build, many homeowners in Ireland find themselves wondering: What’s the difference between an interior designer and an architect? Both play essential roles in shaping our living spaces—whether it’s a large-scale extension or kitchen interior design in Dublin—but they focus on very different aspects of the home.
Put simply, architects are responsible for the structure and form of a building, while interior designers focus on how those spaces look, feel, and function inside. While their roles sometimes overlap, their training, approach, and responsibilities are distinct.
Understanding the difference can help you choose the right professional for your needs—or better yet, help you see how they can work together for your project. Whether you’re building a new home in Kildare or renovating your kitchen interior design in Dublin, knowing who to involve and when is crucial to the success of your project.
An architect is trained to design buildings from the ground up. They work with structure, safety, building codes, and external aesthetics. Architects typically:
Architects are essential when you’re doing any kind of structural work—whether that’s building an extension, knocking down internal walls, or constructing a new house from scratch. They ensure your home is structurally sound, safe, and legally compliant.
However, while architects may provide some basic interior layouts, their focus is not on how the interior will be furnished, styled, or lived in. That’s where interior designers come in.
Interior designers focus on the inside of the home. Their job is to make the space functional, comfortable, and visually cohesive. They handle everything from layout optimisation to material selection, furniture sourcing, and lighting design.
At Kube Interiors, our interior designers help clients:
Interior designers are especially valuable in high-use areas like kitchens, where aesthetics must meet daily practicality. Our kitchen interior design experts, for example, not only ensure the space looks beautiful but also plan storage, lighting, and workflow to suit your daily needs.
Absolutely. In fact, when architects and interior designers collaborate from the start, the end result is a home that is both structurally sound and beautifully tailored to the way you live.
Let’s say you’re building a modern home with an open-plan kitchen and dining space. An architect will design the structure, orientation, and layout of that space. But a designer will refine it—determining furniture placement, choosing materials that work well in Irish climates, and ensuring the lighting supports everything from cooking to evening entertaining.
At Kube Interiors, we often work with architectural plans and enhance them with tailored kitchen interior design solutions, custom-built furniture, and curated décor to bring each space to life.
It depends on your project.
Architects and interior designers offer different but complementary skill sets. One ensures your house stands strong; the other ensures it feels like home. While architects create the framework, interior designers shape the experience within it.
At Kube Interiors, we specialise in creating functional, elegant interiors that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether you’re complementing an architect’s work or starting with a blank canvas, our designers will help you create a space that feels just right—from living rooms to fully customised kitchen interior design.
