What is Interior Design

Interior design is and has been a part of our life and humanity since the dawn of time. Since man first settled down and created communities, and the cities architecture has inidivertibly intertwined with décor. As it has been proved by years or research, we have always used interior design to express ourselves and influence our surroundings to how we perceive the world and
 want it to be.

Over the ages each culture has produced amazing and very individual styles, deeply influenced by the geography of the world they have lived in. In the African region itself there is such an outstanding variety of different cultural styles it is amazing.   The climate has always played a huge role in our life, defining how much space and light there will be in our houses. This has also influenced which materials people have used. Also, the other great influence was nature.

It is important to summarize that architecture and interior design are deeply connected, and the changes we have experienced from bare walls in cold stone castles in the wetlands of Britain to elaborate riads of Marrakesh, or magnificent Versailles in the times of peace and at the peak of trade are deeply connected with the times we are. Today in the world that is connected at a heartbeat, with unlimited and cheap materials available to everyone, in days that celebrate individuality over mass production, interior design is more important than ever allowing people to express themselves at the level they want.

However, we have lost the element of spiritual connection to our houses as we can change how anything looks at any time. This probably means we have entered the futuristic age where science replaced the traditional cold beliefs and the accession of physics, lights and chemistry is taking place. The minimalist approach, and unlimited access to new and old materials and constant discoveries how to manipulate them. Computers today allow us to create shapes based on mathematical algorithms that otherwise would be unimaginable to human mind.

Nowadays for the purpose of classification and ease in understanding interior design we recognize the below primary elements.

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1 1) Light is probably the most obvious element in interior design. The two distinctions we have is natural coming from windows, open doors, and other openings in the house and artificial light which includes all man-made sources like lamps or lights. Without light however, many other elements lose their significance.

 

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2 2) Form refers to the space itself, the outline or shape of objects. It is very important in interior design to achieve balanced and harmonized room based on proportions and scales.

      A cubicle sitting space like this is a perfect example of a form in design. The space is symmetrical and based on geometrical proportions.

It is important that form doesn’t only mean a classical square filled space that follows straight lines. Form is present in all the geometrical shapes.

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     3) Objects add a very personal touch to any space. They are the finishing touches that add the personality to a interior. The small yet very important details that make it stand out.

The above are perfect examples of object that will enrich a space and further add to it’s appearance.

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4      4) Space is the basic structure of the room, or building. It is the space that a designer will work with, and this will include the walls, ceiling, floors, doors, windows, pillars and other. Like a painting, this is the beginning for all the great designs to begin.

The examples below show a perfect space that has been worked on giving a preview to all of the elements.

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5   5) Texture brings depth and interest to any interior. It is often discriminated in minimalistic interiors; however, it can be used to break a monochrome room and bring a new dimension. It can be added by rugs, wallpapers, cushions, wood elements, patterns and more.

These examples are perhaps my favorite designs as they show the imagination and rich use of different textures to achieve the desired stunning effect.

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6      6) Colour is the expression of the room, or lack of it. It is used to create a specific mood or atmosphere, or by cleverly using colors we can alter how big the rooms seem to us. When it comes to interior design only our own imagination is the limit when creating with colors.

All of the presented are great examples for the use of color in different settings and schemes to create a harmonious or calming or dynamic interior.

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7     7) Furniture is probably best described as the touchable and material extension of the interior, its physical manifestation of the mood and its enhancer. I provided the overall functionality and adds to the feel.

 

The examples perfectly illustrated how furniture continue with the feeling of the space and add additional elements and enrich the overall feeling.