Let’s take a closer look at interior design. There are so many different things that fall in the design category, and each is important for the satisfaction of people using the final product. The best place to start is at the beginning. In this Interior 101, we will go through everything you need to know about interior design and how it may affect people around you.
What is interior design?
Interior design is a process of enhancing the interior of a building or a room to create a more pleasant environment for living. The person in charge of organizing space in the building or apartment is an interior designer. Naturally, their goal is not only to plan the interior. The job also involves a lot of research, communication, programming, coordination, and others.
Of course, it all depends on the type of the project, investors, size of the team, etc. There are many factors that will determine the scope of the job the designer will need to take. One of the main reasons why people are so interested in this position is that it allows a lot of creativity. A person is able to express themselves, and they will significantly affect people’s lives.
For example, some might spend hours every day in an office, room, or house they designed. As a result, it’s rather important to pick the right colors, furniture, decorations, and so on. People can be quite creative if they are in the position to use their time to make something beautiful.
But more importantly, space needs to be functional. Having an experienced designer who knows how to use space can make a world of difference.
The layout of a project
The first step of the process is the layout of the project. Here, the designer will position the furniture, equipment, objects, and anything else that may appear in the project they are designing. You probably saw layouts before. They serve as an open architectural plan. The main difference, of course, is that the designer gets more freedom.
In the past couple of years, moving panels have become rather popular. These panels or walls can allow people to rearrange the space in the object even after everything is built. Naturally, the layout also needs to include some standardized things like fire escapes, accessibility, and minimum dimensions of a room.
But even with all the standards available, people started experimenting with micro-apartments and tiny houses. It seems that there are many people who enjoy simplicity and functionality over luxury and huge soulless objects.
The adequate distribution can dictate the flow of space, generate a place of permanence, and develop a hierarchy of items in your environment.
The furniture
We all know how important furniture is. But did you know that moving the furniture around your room can significantly transform the place? It doesn’t matter if you have movable or fixed furniture in your apartment. The functionality of the room will depend on it.
One of the first things you need to worry about is the circulation and functionality of space. We can safely assume that people will be living in the apartment. So, it is necessary for things to be out of the way. The last thing you need is to keep running into a table while going to the kitchen.
While organizing the furniture is always important, the real difference is in small-room organizing. The designer will have a lot less freedom here, and it is essential to properly use the space they have at their disposal.
Naturally, this is why many people opt for unique items like flexible furniture since it can allow them to save what little space they have. A typical example of flexible furniture is foldable beds and tables that can be out of the way when people are not using them. The same thing applies to stackable items that can have multiple purposes.
Another aspect of interior design is flowers and plants. While they are not considered as furniture, plants are an excellent way to liven up the room and make it healthier and more enjoyable.
Comfort and ergonomics
The next step on the list is comfort and ergonomics. It is more than obvious why comfort is important for a location you’ll be spending a lot of time in. The quality of life indoors should be incredibly high, and it will affect how we feel and behave during the day. Just think of the difference between cubicle workplaces and modern offices where you can relax and enjoy your breaks.
The same thing applies to living spaces as well. Now, comfort is something that manifests differently for each person. For some, it might be the unique aroma of the environment, and they’d want to have a nice space where they can enjoy the view of nature.
It also means that you’d need to pick colors carefully since it may affect the brightness of the space, as well as the depth. It could also determine whether someone would feel cozy spending time there. Other factors include comfortable temperature, acoustics, ventilation, and anything else that will ensure the highest levels of physical and mental health.
Materials and coatings
A similar thing applies to materials and coatings. Not all materials are the same, and each will have a different role in interior design, costs, aesthetics, functionality, and so on. It is also important to consider the effect it will have on the environment.
There are a couple of things to consider when picking the finishing materials. Firstly, you need to ask yourself what the purpose of the space is, as well as the diversity of people living in it. It might include different levels of traffic, cleaning conditions, whether it will be exposed to wear and tear, etc.
The composition of the chosen material will define its flexibility, resistance, and malleability. It might be a good idea to check if the material of choice will have an effect on indoor air quality.
While the process might seem simple, there are so many factors to consider. A good designer will need to know the anatomical and psychological aspects of users and find a way to ensure they will have high levels of comfort.