Interior Design is an incredibly important part of people's lives. It converts an interior space into a practical, safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for the users of that space. Interior Design has become very popular in the last few years as a D.I.Y. discipline. But before you embark on transforming your boring kitchen into a trendy Tuscan style one, there are a few essential concepts you need to know about. Interior Design isn't just a question of buying a few purple cushions and painting the walls brown. It actually involves many more complex disciplines:
Environmental Psychology, Architecture, Product Design and Decoration.
Environmental Psychology
When an interior designer approaches a new space, they need to be aware of what will be the function of that space. A hospital waiting room will need a very different design style to a Michelin-starred restaurant for example. Understanding the psychology behind the space is essential to creating the right atmosphere.
Probably the hardest space to interior design is a home as the right atmosphere depends on understanding the psychology of the owner. That's why a lot of people decide to interior design their own homes. Not only is it much cheaper (you don't have to pay a stranger to tell you what colours you like), but it's also a great way to create your ideal retreat.
- Think carefully about what atmosphere you want each room in your home to have. For example, bedrooms are usually places of calm and relaxation, living rooms are places of interaction, and kitchens are spaces which should boost creativity.
- Always think before you act when it comes to interior design.
Architecture
If you do decide to interior design your own home, then you need to be aware of the space you want to modify. Chances are you're not a millionaire who can afford to knock walls down and build them back up again if need be. You'll probably only be able to work with the space you have and sometimes that can be tricky. Rooms which are small, an awkward shape or which have constraints (such as a fridge which can't be moved) can limit the interior design options but there are always ways to work round them! Be aware of the space before you start drawing up designs.
Product Design
You have the vibe, you know the space, now you need the products. This is where knowledge of product design comes in. Interior design styles often refer to a certain time and place and the objects you place in a room should be coherent with that time and place. For example, if you wanted an Imperial China style living room, you wouldn't place a high glass table in the middle. Most of the time you will have objects, which are already in the room like a bed or sofa and might have to work around them.
- Remember product design isn't only limited to objects.It also applies to knowledge about different types of paint, blinds, flooring etc.
- Do your research thoroughly-figure out your budget, your dream list of products and what you can actually afford to fit into the space.
Decoration
Decoration relates directly to product design as it's all about having an eye for the ‘right' colours, shapes, patterns and textures.
The décor of a room is what brings all the different elements together to create the atmosphere we talked about earlier in the environmental psychology bit. This can be achieved by many different ways but here are some of the most common:
- having a strong colour scheme throughout the room such as chocolate and turquoise
- juxtaposing textures like tweed and tartan
- choosing furniture with similar features like oak tables, chairs and kitchen cupboards
Remember -- decoration is all in the detail!
The environmental psychology you thought of at the beginning of your design journey becomes decoration in the end. Décor creates atmosphere.
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