Interior design is a combination of art and science, and designers have learned what to prioritize when it comes to creating gorgeous spaces. Interior designers create designs with a strong sense of balance, functionality, and style. At the heart of their work is a dedication to creating environments that not only look good but also meet the needs and desires of those who use them.
Whether you want to use an interior designer or not, understanding their priorities will help you either create a better design on your own or work with your interior designer so that they can understand your vision, optimize your space, and ultimately create a design that is just right for you.
Designers must decide how to work with their clients on each project to create the most functional and appealing space for their needs. This will differ for each project, but there will always be priorities that remain consistent regardless of which project they work on.
Their Client’s Vision
Before the project even begins, a designer needs to understand their client’s vision for the space. This is the foundation for a successful design because it seeks to align the client’s goals with the objective of the designer and fosters trust between the parties.
By deeply understanding a client’s aspirations, lifestyle, and preferences, designers can create a space that reflects these personal elements. This process begins with conversation as well as visual inspiration that captures the client’s aesthetics. The designer will alight everything from the layout to the furniture and decor selection according to their client’s vision.
Their Client’s Needs
If the room design is attractive but does not meet the practical needs of the client, the design is flawed. Interior designs should not just be visually interesting; they should support the client’s day-to-day lifestyle.
This process would involve assessing the client’s daily activities, routines, and specific information about who would use the space on a regular basis. Designers should consider practical factors like durability, ease of maintenance, and storage needs so that they can craft a space that supports the client’s priorities. Taking these considerations into account ensures that they create an environment that is comfortable, attractive, and truly livable.
Design Style
Once a designer understands the client’s vision and needs, they can begin to determine which design style would be appropriate for the project. If they are designing a room within an existing home, the style they choose should take into consideration the client’s current style. Most clients prefer elements from a variety of design styles, so designers frequently opt for a blended rather than a pure style.
Purpose of the Space
Designers consider the primary functions that occur in a room when creating the best and most versatile room design. These can be as specific as cooking or eating in a kitchen or dining room, or as diverse as relaxing, watching TV, playing games, and socializing in rooms like dens and living rooms. This understanding will inform every design decision made, like layout, foundational furniture pieces, and color palette.
For instance, a family room might need to be arranged for game nights and TV watching. The designer would need to prioritize an arrangement that suits these purposes as well as consider comfortable seating with durable fabrics. In an office workspace, the designer might need to prioritize a layout that centers the desk and a design that ensures ample lighting and ergonomic furniture.
Space and Layout
Layout and spatial planning set the foundation for flow and functionality, so these are often among the top priorities for interior designers when they first begin planning a design. Designers will consider a room’s dimensions, architectural features, natural focal points, and light sources such as windows and doors when deciding how to arrange furniture and create pathways that feel natural and unobstructed.
Good space and layout planning will enhance the purpose and versatility of the design. Designers will balance both aesthetic and practical layout considerations so that they can make the room look good and function well.
Color Scheme
Selecting a color scheme is a vital step in the interior design process because it heavily impacts the mood of the design. This step only happens once the designer has assessed the client’s vision and needs of the space.
When deciding on the best colors for a design, an interior designer will consider a home’s overall color palette, the room’s specific purpose, the natural light the space receives, and the desired atmosphere—whether the client wants it to feel energetic, serene, or sophisticated. Using one color as the primary, another to create contrast, and a third as an accent color is a common three-color rule used by designers.
Foundational Furniture Pieces
Choosing the foundational pieces in a design is a priority for designers because these items anchor a room and define the style. These focal points—such as couches, beds, dining tables, rugs, and other large furnishings—set the tone for the room’s appearance and functionality. Designers carefully select these pieces based on the client’s vision, needs, room purpose, and color scheme to ensure that they are appropriate for the space.
Beyond aesthetics, quality, comfort, and durability are top considerations because these large pieces are often expensive and should be viewed as a long-term investment.
Lighting
Lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere and functionality of a space and, as such, is a top priority for interior designers. Designers assess the natural light of the room as well as the purpose and layout when considering which lighting to include. The best interior designs contain multiple sources of light, including ambient, accent, and task lighting sources, to ensure that the client can adjust the light according to need and time of day.
Textures and Finishes
Designers achieve depth and visual interest by incorporating a wide range of textures and finishes into their room designs. The use of layered textures and finishes makes any space feel more inviting and engaging.
By thoughtfully selecting materials such as wood, stone, leather, fabric, and metal, designers create a rich, sensory experience as well as an eye-catching one. Designers consider how different textures interact in and with the space, as well as how they will stand up to repeated use and influence the usability of the design.
Decor and Accents
Decor and accents bring life and personality to any design. After selecting the foundational elements, decorators select decor and accents like wall art, soft textiles, accessories, and rugs to enhance the overall aesthetic and narrative of the room. Designers consider these in light of their scale, color, and texture in order to create balance and cohesion with these final touches.
