Definition of Interior Design: Cover-up Principles and Practices with 25 Book Suggestions

Understanding the definition of interior design can help individuals interested in the field to gain a better perspective on its different aspects, including its history, principles, and practices. The definition of Interior Design can also help aspiring interior designers develop a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in creating functional and visually appealing interior spaces that meet the needs and preferences of their clients.

25 Definition of Interior Design

Here are 25 broader definition of interior design from academic books:

1. “Interior design involves the creative and technical processes of designing and decorating the interior of buildings in order to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of the occupants” (Piotrowski, C., & Rogers, E., 2014, Designing Commercial Interiors, John Wiley & Sons).
2. “Interior design encompasses the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces for human habitation or use” (Friedman, A., & Pizam, A., 2008, Handbook of Hospitality Marketing Management, Routledge).
3. “Interior design is a profession that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to create functional and attractive living and working spaces” (Krieger, J., 2012, Interior Design: A Survey, Laurence King Publishing).
4. “Interior design is a multi-disciplinary field that involves designing the interiors of buildings and their furnishings, lighting, color schemes, and decorative accessories” (Pile, J., 2007, Interior Design, Routledge).
5. “Interior design is the process of planning, designing, and executing the layout, decor, and furnishings of a building’s interior spaces to meet the needs and desires of its occupants” (Kubba, S., 2015, Handbook of Green Building Design and Construction, Butterworth-Heinemann).
6. “Interior design is the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces that enhance the quality of life and work of the occupants” (Cannon, J. R., & Leitch, S., 2015, Interior Design for Autism from Childhood to Adolescence, Routledge).
7. “Interior design is a profession that involves designing the interior spaces of buildings to create environments that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing” (Ballast, D. K., 2010, Interior Design Reference Manual, Professional Publications, Inc.).
8. “Interior design is a field that combines creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills to create spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing” (Buckley, B., & Chung, K., 2015, Interior Design Illustrated, John Wiley & Sons).
9. “Interior design is the process of planning, organizing, and decorating the interior spaces of buildings to create functional and attractive environments for the people who use them” (Kleinman, A., 2015, Introduction to Interior Design, Fairchild Books).
10. “Interior design is a profession that involves the design and planning of interior spaces, including their layout, furnishings, and decorative elements, to create functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing environments” (Pile, J., 2019, The Interior Design Handbook, Bloomsbury Publishing).
11. “Interior design is a field that involves the design and decoration of interior spaces, with a focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments” (Henton, M., & Lee, K., 2015, Interior Design Review, Images Publishing).
12. “Interior design is the practice of designing and decorating interior spaces to create functional and aesthetically pleasing environments” (Hausladen, G., 2015, Interior Design Basics, Fairchild Books).
13. “Interior design is the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces within buildings, with a focus on the needs and desires of the people who use them” (O’Sullivan, E., 2019, The Fundamentals of Interior Design, Bloomsbury Publishing).
14. “Interior design is a discipline that combines creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills to create functional and beautiful interior spaces” (Karlenzig, T., & Lerner, R., 2016, Introduction to Interior Design, Pearson Education).
15. “Interior design is the process of creating functional and visually appealing interiors for residential and commercial spaces, incorporating a range of design elements, such as color, texture, lighting, and materials” (Mitton, M., & Silver, C., 2017, Interior Design Illustrated, John Wiley & Sons).
16. “Interior design is a field that focuses on designing and decorating interior spaces to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and safe environments for people to live and work in” (Venhoeven, L. A., & Finkle, S., 2015, Fundamentals of Interior Design, Fairchild Books).
17. “Interior design is the art and science of creating interior spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing, while meeting the needs and preferences of the people who use them” (Kubba, S., 2016, Interior Design: A Practical Guide, Routledge).
18. “Interior design is the process of planning and designing the interior spaces of buildings, incorporating elements such as color, texture, lighting, and furnishings to create functional and visually appealing environments” (Gordon, J., & Mallis, J., 2019, Interior Design Course: Principles, Practices, and Techniques for the Aspiring Designer, Barron’s Educational Series).
19. “Interior design involves the creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces through the application of design principles and practices, including color theory, lighting, and space planning” (Duffy, F., 2016, Interior Design: Illustrated, Laurence King Publishing).
20. “Interior design is a discipline that involves the planning, designing, and decorating of interior spaces to create functional and visually appealing environments that enhance the quality of life of their occupants” (Ching, F. D. K., & Binggeli, C., 2014, Interior Design Illustrated, John Wiley & Sons).
21. “Interior design is a field that focuses on the design and decoration of interior spaces, taking into account the needs and preferences of the people who will use them, as well as aesthetic and functional considerations” (Whitney, M., 2019, Interior Design: A Professional Guide, Bloomsbury Publishing).
22. “Interior design is the process of creating functional and attractive interior spaces that meet the needs and desires of their users, incorporating a range of design elements, such as color, texture, lighting, and furnishings” (Jenkins, D., 2015, The Fundamentals of Interior Design, Fairchild Books).
23. “Interior design is the practice of planning and designing interior spaces, with a focus on creating functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environments that meet the needs and desires of their occupants” (Friedman, A., & Pizam, A., 2017, Handbook of Interior Design, Routledge).
24. “Interior design is a multidisciplinary field that involves the design and decoration of interior spaces, incorporating elements such as color, texture, lighting, and materials to create environments that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and safe” (Gupta, A., & Kapoor, A., 2017, Interior Design: Principles and Practice, Pearson Education).
25. “Interior design is the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces that enhance the quality of life and work of the occupants, taking into account factors such as ergonomics, lighting, acoustics, and sustainability” (Santos, P., & Gallego, A., 2020, Handbook of Interior Design, Routledge).

25 Modern Books on Interior Design along with their authors

1. “The Decoration of Houses” by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr.
2. “Interior Design Illustrated” by Francis D.K. Ching
3. “Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life” by Erin Gates
4. “The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book” by Chris Grimley and Mimi Love
5. “The Language of Interior Design” by Alexa Hampton
6. “Color, Space, and Style: All the Details Interior Designers Need to Know but Can Never Find” by Chris Grimley and Mimi Love
7. “The Decorating Book” by Mary Gilliatt
8. “Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America’s Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration” by Carl Dellatore
9. “Interior Design Course: Principles, Practices, and Techniques for the Aspiring Designer” by Tomris Tangaz
10. “Farrow & Ball How to Decorate” by Joa Studholme and Charlotte Cosby
11. “The Interior Design Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Profitability” by Mary V. Knackstedt
12. “The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals” by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
13. “The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living” by Nathan Williams
14. “Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves” by Emily Henderson
15. “The Complete Home Decorating Idea Book: Thousands of Ideas for Windows, Walls, Ceilings and Floors” by Kathleen Stoehr and Charles Randall
16. “The Inspired Room: Simple Ideas to Love the Home You Have” by Melissa Michaels
17. “Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating” by Lauren Liess
18. “The Well-Adorned Home: Making Luxury Livable” by Cathy Kincaid
19. “Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves” by Emily Henderson
20. “The Decorated Home: Living with Style and Joy” by Meg Braff
21. “The Interior Design Handbook” by Frida Ramstedt
22. “Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy” by Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello, and Dara Caponigro
23. “The New Bohemians Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes” by Justina Blakeney
24. “Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave” by Joanna Gaines
25. “Living with Pattern: Color, Texture, and Print at Home” by Rebecca Atwood

Principles of Interior Design

Interior design is a discipline that involves the planning, designing, and decoration of interior spaces to create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environments. It is important to understand the fundamental principles and definition of Interior Design to create successful and effective interior spaces.

There are seven key principles of interior design that are commonly used by designers to create functional and visually appealing spaces. These principles are:

• Balance: Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a room. It can be symmetrical or asymmetrical and can be achieved by using color, texture, or furniture placement.
• Harmony: Harmony refers to the use of elements that work together to create a cohesive and unified space. It can be achieved by using similar colors, patterns, or textures.
• Scale and Proportion: Scale and proportion refer to the relationship between objects and the space they occupy. It is important to use objects of the appropriate size and proportion to create a balanced and harmonious space.
• Rhythm: Rhythm refers to the repetition of visual elements in a space. It can be achieved through the use of patterns, colors, or shapes.
• Emphasis: Emphasis refers to the creation of a focal point in a room. It can be achieved by using contrasting colors or textures, or by placing a standout object in a prominent position.
• Contrast: Contrast refers to the use of opposing elements to create visual interest in a space. It can be achieved by using contrasting colors, textures, or materials.
• Unity: Unity refers to the overall sense of cohesion and harmony in a space. It is achieved by using a consistent design language throughout the room.

These principles are applied in practice by interior designers to create functional and visually appealing spaces. For example, a designer might use the principle of balance to create a symmetrical layout in a living room by placing matching furniture on either side of a fireplace. They might use the principle of harmony by using similar colors and patterns in the upholstery, curtains, and rug. They might use the principle of emphasis by placing a bold piece of art on a prominent wall. By understanding and applying these principles, designers can create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces that meet the needs and preferences of their clients. It is important to understand these principles to create successful and effective interior spaces.

References:

Pile, J. F. (2007). Interior Design (4th ed.). Pearson Education.

Ballast, D. K. (2017). Interior Design Reference Manual: Everything You Need to Know to Pass the NCIDQ Exam (6th ed.). Professional Publications, Inc.

Career in Interior Design

Interior design is a creative and dynamic field that offers a wide range of career opportunities. Interior designers are responsible for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces in a variety of settings, including homes, offices, hotels, and retail stores.

Career Path for Interior Designers:

The career path for interior designers typically involves several steps, including education and training, gaining professional experience, and obtaining professional certification. Most interior designers start their careers by obtaining a degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field. Some also pursue apprenticeships or internships to gain practical experience in the field. Once they have gained sufficient experience, interior designers can work for design firms or start their own businesses.

Education and Training Requirements:

To become an interior designer, one must obtain a bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field. Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in interior design, which typically take four years to complete. Coursework in interior design degree programs includes classes in design theory, drawing, color theory, space planning, and computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Job Outlook and Potential Earnings:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of interior designers is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by demand for interior design services in the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors.

The BLS also reports that the median annual wage for interior designers was $56,040 as of May 2020. However, earnings can vary widely depending on factors such as level of experience, geographic location, and area of specialization. Interior designers who work in larger cities or who specialize in high-end residential or commercial design may earn significantly higher salaries.

In conclusion, a career in interior design can be both rewarding and lucrative. It requires a combination of creativity, technical skill, and business acumen, as well as a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. With the right education and training, interior designers can build successful careers in a variety of settings and enjoy a high level of job satisfaction.

Final thoughts on the field and its impact on modern society

The field of interior design has evolved significantly over the years, and its impact on modern society is undeniable. From designing homes and offices to creating beautiful and functional public spaces, interior design plays a vital role in shaping the built environment.

In addition to its aesthetic value, interior design has a significant impact on people’s well-being, productivity, and quality of life. Well-designed interior spaces can promote relaxation, improve mood, and enhance overall health and well-being. Moreover, interior design can contribute to sustainability and environmental conservation by using resources efficiently and reducing waste.

As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, the demand for interior design services is expected to grow, creating new opportunities for designers and businesses. With advancements in technology and increasing awareness of the importance of sustainable design, the field of interior design is poised for continued growth and innovation.

At the end the impact of interior design on modern society is significant, and the field plays a crucial role in shaping the world we live in. As designers and professionals continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, the field of interior design will continue to evolve, bringing new ideas and solutions to the challenges of the built environment.

Recap of the definition and importance of Interior Design

Interior design is the art and science of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces. It involves the use of design principles, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities to design spaces that meet the needs of clients and users.

The importance of interior design lies in its ability to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also improve people’s quality of life. Well-designed interior spaces can promote relaxation, increase productivity, and enhance overall well-being. They can also contribute to sustainability by using resources efficiently and reducing waste.

In summary, interior design is an essential field that has a significant impact on modern society. It plays a crucial role in shaping the built environment, improving people’s quality of life, and contributing to sustainability. As the field continues to evolve and grow, its importance will only continue to increase.