Decorate vs. Renovate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Decorate means to embellish or adorn a space; renovate involves restoring or making major changes to a structure.
Difference Between Decorate and Renovate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Decorating involves adding aesthetic elements to a space, like painting walls or placing furniture. Renovating goes deeper, encompassing structural changes, such as knocking down walls or updating plumbing.
While decorating often involves superficial changes like choosing curtains or artwork, renovating may include replacing flooring or repairing damages. Renovation aims to restore or improve the structure, whereas decoration focuses on appearance.
Decorating can be a DIY task involving personal taste and style. In contrast, renovating usually requires professionals like contractors, due to its complexity and potential safety issues.
Decorating changes can be temporary and easily reversible, like changing cushions. Renovations are more permanent, often increasing a property's value and functionality, like adding a bathroom.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Adding aesthetic elements to enhance a space.
Making structural changes to restore or improve.
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Scope
Usually superficial and cosmetic.
Involves significant alterations, often structural.
Professional Help
Often done DIY or with an interior designer.
Usually requires contractors, architects, etc.
Permanence
Changes can be temporary and reversible.
Changes are often permanent and significant.
Purpose
To embellish or stylize a space.
To restore, update, or improve functionality.
Compare with Definitions
Decorate
Adding embellishments to enhance visual appeal.
She loves to decorate her desk with colorful stationery.
Renovate
The process of reviving a structure, often involving structural changes.
The historic theater underwent a massive renovation.
Decorate
To adorn or beautify a space.
They decided to decorate the room with vibrant paintings.
Renovate
To restore something old, especially a building, to good condition.
They plan to renovate the old farmhouse.
Decorate
Arranging and coordinating elements to create an aesthetic.
They hired an expert to decorate their wedding venue.
Renovate
Updating or modernizing a building or room.
They decided to renovate their kitchen with new appliances.
Decorate
The act of making something look more attractive.
For the holidays, they decorate their house with lights.
Renovate
Overhauling a space to improve its functionality or appearance.
After the renovation, their house looked brand new.
Decorate
Applying designs or themes to a space.
He chose to decorate his café in a vintage style.
Renovate
To return to a condition of newness, as by repairing or remodeling.
Decorate
To furnish, provide, or adorn with something ornamental; embellish.
Renovate
To impart new vigor to; revive.
Decorate
To confer a medal or other honor on
Was decorated for bravery.
Renovate
(transitive) To renew; to revamp something to make it look new again.
This house is shabby: it needs renovating.
Decorate
(transitive) To furnish with decorations.
We decorated the Christmas tree with tinsel and baubles.
Renovate
(transitive) To restore to freshness or vigor.
Decorate
(transitive) To improve the appearance of an interior of, as a house, room, or office.
There's some paint left over from when we decorated the guest bedroom.
Renovate
To make over again; to restore to freshness or vigor; to renew.
All nature feels the reniovating forceOf winter.
Decorate
(intransitive) To decorate an interior space, as a house, room, or office.
People tend to decorate for the holidays or special events.
Renovate
Restore to a previous or better condition;
They renovated the ceiling of the Sixtine Chapel
Decorate
(transitive) To honor by providing a medal, ribbon, or other adornment.
He was a decorated soldier who served in three wars.
Renovate
Make brighter and prettier;
We refurbished the guest wing
My wife wants us to renovate
Decorate
To extend a method, etc. by attaching some further code item.
It makes sure that the field name argument is not empty, and that the field specified there is an actual existing field in the class which declares the method decorated with this attribute.
Renovate
Give new life or energy to;
A hot soup will revive me
This will renovate my spirits
This treatment repaired my health
Decorate
To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or honorary; to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to decorate the person; to decorate an edifice; to decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with honors.
Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets decorated her arms.
Renovate
Making major improvements or repairs to a structure.
The city hall is closed for renovation.
Decorate
Make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.;
Decorate the room for the party
Beautify yourself for the special day
Decorate
Be beautiful to look at;
Flowers adorned the tables everywhere
Decorate
Award a mark of honor, as a medal, to
Decorate
Provide with decoration;
Dress the windows
Common Curiosities
Can I renovate a rented apartment?
It depends on your lease terms, but typically major renovations require landlord approval.
Can I decorate without renovating?
Yes, decorating doesn't require structural changes like renovation does.
Is decorating just about choosing colors?
It's more than that; it involves the overall aesthetic and styling of a space.
Do I need a permit to renovate my house?
Often yes, especially for major structural changes. Check local regulations.
Can decorating increase home value?
While it can make a home more attractive, it doesn’t typically increase value like renovation can.
Does renovation always involve construction work?
Most renovations involve some level of construction or structural change.
Can I live in my house during a renovation?
It depends on the renovation's extent; some may require you to move out temporarily.
Does decorating require a designer?
Not necessarily; many people decorate based on personal taste without a designer.
Can I decorate my office space?
Usually, yes, as long as changes are reversible and comply with workplace guidelines.
Is it necessary to follow trends while decorating?
No, decorating should reflect personal style, trends are optional.
Is it cheaper to renovate or build new?
It depends on the project scope, but renovation can often be cheaper than building anew.
How often should I redecorate my home?
There's no set rule; it depends on personal preference and trends.
Are DIY renovations a good idea?
For simple projects, yes, but complex renovations often need professional expertise.
How long does a typical renovation take?
It varies widely based on the project, from weeks to several months.
Does renovation affect property taxes?
It can, as renovations that increase home value might lead to higher taxes.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
