Definition of Interior Design

Aug 20, 20202 min read

“Architecture is just art we live in.”

Interpret the Definition of Interior Design.

Interior Design is the art of capturing and understanding people's behaviors and emotions to create a space with optimal functionality. Interior design includes a range of services executed by a professional design practitioner whom is qualified by means of education, experience, and examination. The purpose of these services is to protect and enhance the life, health, safety and welfare (HSW) of the public. The professional designer is someone who plans, researches, coordinates, and manages such enhancement projects. Interior design is a very diverse profession that includes conceptual development, space planning, site inspections, programming, construction management, and execution of the design. Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. When creating a space, interior designers must keep many laws and regulations in mind such as local business codes, fire safety, accessibility, efficiency, functionality, etc.

Is Interior Design What You Thought It Was?

Although Interior Design is in fact bits and pieces of what I thought, there is actually MUCH more to the grande scheme of things. I found myself focusing heavily on the aesthetic value of transforming spaces rather than the important functionality and emotional impact of the space. My ideas of the definition of "interior design" leaned more towards that of an "interior decorator" before discussing this first chapter. Something that I was unaware of is that interior designers largely work on commercial projects while interior decorators largely work on residential projects. Interior designers have to deal with the architectural integrity of the interior of a building as well as cope with the renovations and changes of the interior structure, for this reason, in many cases they are required to have architectural knowledge as well. Interior design encompasses more studies than interior decoration. Interior decorators are skilled at coming into a room and whipping it into visual shape. For new spaces, they can help clients decide on a style, choose a color scheme, purchase furniture, and accessorize. They're also often brought in to spruce up an existing space that needs to be updated or redone.

Get Inspired

Below are some images that inspire me from both an interior design and an interior decorator perspective. They bring me immense joy and spark my creativity!