INTERIOR DESIGN: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

Written by Fiona Philips Design Studio

There is a tendency to misuse or misapply the terms; Interior Design, Interior Architecture, and Interior Decoration given their connections or relations to the building space and the built environment. Having more similarities than differences, overlaps, and continuing blurred lines between these niches. This article intends to highlight the nuances between these related and interchangeably used terms

What is interior design?

Though interior design, interior architecture, and interior decoration are closely related, are part of the same industry, and are within the same niche, Interior design has some distinguishing qualities that make it stand among its counterparts. Here are some definitions of interior design:

1. Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. (Wikipedia)
2. Interior design is a profession that focuses on architecture and space planning, creating cohesive and aesthetically pleasing designs for home interior and businesses within a built environment or existing structures. (Kelly Wearstler’s MasterClass)
3. Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behaviour to create functional spaces within a building. (RMCD.edu)

From the definitions above we can deduce that Interior design focuses on the following; designing for the users or inhabitants of a space, designing for the functions that will be carried out or performed within the space, and ensuring that the space is still visually appealing for the users of the space whilst supporting the functions to be carried out in the space. Being both an art and a science-related field, Interior design calls for both a scientific and methodical approach as well as an artistic and intuitive approach to the built environment. It seeks to strike a balance between the logical and the instinctive.

Contrasting interior design with interior architecture and interior decoration

INTERIOR DESIGN VS. INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE

• There are many overlaps between interior design and interior architecture, however, there are few notable differences. Bearing in mind the definition of interior design above, interior architecture in simple terms is a discipline that employs architectural theory, history, and principles in the design and creation of interior space and it covers interior construction, a good knowledge of building regulations, and an understanding of the structure of the buildings.
• In interior design, interior design elements such as the furniture, lights, rugs, and painting are arranged in a room for functionality and aesthetics without having anything to do with the space structure and other technical areas of the building interior. Interior architecture involves cutting or stripping the inside of an existing structure and then rebuilding it to serve an entirely different purpose or function.
• Interior designers need not have a license before practicing or being referred to as an interior designer but an interior architect must have a license to call themselves architects and to practise any form of architecture.

INTERIOR DESIGN VS. INTERIOR DECORATION

• Deducing from the definitions above that interior design focuses both on the functionality and the aesthetics of a space, interior decoration on the other hand focuses solely on the aesthetics of a space. it seeks to beautify spaces with furnishings and adornments.it involves the artistic side of design and less with the science and the functionality of a space.
• Interior design to a reasonable degree requires the knowledge of the building's structural design and none about building regulations whilst the interior decoration will have no concern with the structural designs of a building and are not required to be knowledgeable about building regulations.
• The user experience and functionality of the interior space require that the interior design process is integrated from the start of the building, and the interior designer would need to have an in-depth knowledge of technical elements like CAD and other BIM tools whilst an interior decorator need not be involved from the start of the build and won’t need any in-depth knowledge of technical elements like CAD and other BIM software and tools.

Having highlighted all these differences, interior design is a broad term that can be used to cover varying aspects, skills, and services as it pertains to the built environment. Delineating the differences between these three niches does not in any way diminish the significance or importance of any of these converging areas but rather creates the varying possibilities and avenues that can be explored in this field.