Interior design isn’t all fun and games. Well, it might be if you’re designing a playroom. Other than that, it requires some art and science applied to it.
You have to know all about lighting, patterns, colors, and more, to be able to design a good interior. Once you know what you’re doing, the designing world is at the palm of your hand.
But what are the actual elements of design, and why do they matter so much? That’s what we’re here to find out. In this article, we’ll learn how to transform a space using artistic elements and principles successfully.
That will allow you to decide whether you’ll venture down the designing hole alone, or you’ll opt for help from professionals. The financial situation plays a significant role in this, too, so let’s make sure you don’t go way out of your comfort zone.
The Importance of a Good Design
The importance of good design can be seen almost everywhere. You don’t just design your interior or exterior — you can design many things, such as company logos, buildings, clothes. But since this is about interior decoration, let’s take a look at why it is so important.
Good design is not just about making something aesthetically pleasing — it strives to merge the aesthetic aspect of things with the functional. Sure, things should look pretty, but they should also make sense and be useful.
Of course, you don’t need a designer to tell you that a bed doesn’t belong in the kitchen. Or that a toilet seat should be exactly there, in the toilet. But sometimes you need help from a professional that knows what they’re doing.
When it comes to interior design, you can’t underestimate its importance when designing indoor spaces, be that a living room, an office, or even the interior of a store.
Now, we do know that hiring an interior designer isn’t really cheap. But it pays out in the long run because efficient use of space and cost savings are only some of the benefits of good interior design.
Where Is Good Design Needed?
The short answer is simply everywhere. Trust us when we say that you can design just about anything. And it’s easy too. Of course, there’s a big difference between you playing designer and the real ones doing their job. But sometimes it’s fun to pretend.
There are things like graphic, furniture, exterior design. You can design your backyard or your garden too. However, things are a little different when it comes to interiors. Some principles and elements should be followed just so that things turn out pristine.
Abiding by these rules ensures you’re getting the most out of your surroundings. We don’t want your spacious living room looking like it’s super small because somebody doesn’t know what they’re doing. Yes, that can happen.
That’s exactly why you should let professionals do their jobs and have a beautifully designed interior in no time.
What Is Interior Design?
It’s very easy for the majority of people to confuse interior design with simple decorating. There’s so much more to it than just putting a few vases around a living room. Interior design is all about how an individual experiences the space around them.
People don’t just wake up one day and start designing — they get an education on all the things that matter and earn their degrees. That’s how you differentiate a professional from your neighbor who just enjoys what they think is designing.
It’s so much more than just organizing the space you’re in. Believe it or not, art and science are involved in it. Playing around with clean lines and natural light can make or break the space, and actual professionals know exactly how to use those things to their advantage.
Interior design relates to architecture and has to meet certain requirements to be considered good.
Principles of Interior Design
The seven principles of interior design aren’t a secret at all. You don’t have to dig around the internet much to find them. They’re there, and everyone can implement them to their spaces. Every professional designer knows and uses them, and so should you. Combining and incorporating them guarantees a beautifully designed space. So let’s find out what they are.
First up is unity. It incorporates continuity and harmony essential to unite all of the spaces. Each of them should work together to create a whole. Try not to make every room in your house a whole new world — they need something to tie them together.
The next one is balance — symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance. Which one you go for depends on what kind of vibes you want your space to give off. Think of symmetry as a uniform, asymmetry as casual, and radial as centered style.
The third is rhythm. Just like in music, rhythm in interior design stands for repetitiveness. That is very easy to accomplish, but you should also be careful with it — too much repetitiveness can be annoying and not very pleasing in both design and music.
The rest of the principles are pretty to grasp. They are contrast, emphasis, scale and proportion, and details. Contrast is usually used for colors, while emphasis means that every space has a focal point. Scale and proportion help you keep everything balanced out, while details tie everything together.
Elements of Interior Design
Just like there are seven principles, there are seven interior design elements as well — they help differentiate it from decoration.
Space
Space is the most critical element of any type of interior design. It’s the foundation upon which everything else rests. Consider it a blank canvas. There is a Negative space (empty) and a Positive space (filled up). There has to be a right balance between both because neither overcrowding nor skimping is good.
Lines and Forms
Lines give birth to forms and shapes. They’re in charge of keeping everything in harmony. They also act as a visual guide of the space and can be horizontal, vertical, or dynamic. A form, however, is an outline of any 3D shapes in space. You can create forms by combining multiple shapes, and they can be geometric and natural.
Light and Color
Color doesn’t need any special introduction. Both color and light, though, can set the mood, so you need to use them wisely. Lighting highlights other elements in the space; without it, things like colors, patterns, and textures wouldn’t have any significance.
Textures and Patterns
Texture dictates what the surface is going to look or feel like — it can add depth and definition to your surroundings. Textures can be either visual or actual, and it can help avoid monotony. Patterns, however, liven up your space, and they work well with colors. They tell a story and aid the eye in transitioning from one spot to another.
Tips for a Good Interior Design
Now that we know all the elements and principles, we’re ready to cook up some interior design tips for you. Don’t worry — these will be quite easy to apply to any home. You just need a little imagination and some financial support.
First, choose the right materials! This one can be tricky, but don’t be afraid to go bold. You can always do a little bit of research and find which materials go well together. That can make your space look extra cozy.
You can use personal items to make your space look timeless and tell a story. No matter what space you’re designing, using something vintage can be a real conversation starter. Don’t be afraid of mixing modern and retro too! Despite what you might think, they go together quite nicely.
Having unique or interesting accents like lights or art pieces can transform a room. It can also be a piece of furniture that stands out or is a different color. Speaking of transforming, you can liven a space up with plants.
Dress up your walls with some wallpaper, but try not to overdo it. Finding a balance in everything is the key to having a beautiful home.
Most importantly, trust your intuition. If you have to talk yourself into liking something, then that means you probably don’t. Don’t let colors, patterns, and clutter scare you. Everything can find its place when your space is designed adequately. Stick to the principles and elements we mentioned, and everything will be just fine.
Summary
Knowing how to design your space can be extremely helpful. Of course, first, you have to know what you’re going for. There are many styles for you to choose from, from the modern style to industrial style, everything is achievable.
We encourage you to hire an actual interior designer from the start, though. Imagine doing things your way just to realize later that nothing worked out how you thought it would. Now you have to do it all over again. That only means you have to spend money twice.
Designers are there to get to know you first and then tell your story the way you want it to. They will make sure all elements you want are present, and that you have a beautiful space to live or work in. What makes a space beautiful after all is the people occupying it.