10 Elements of Interior Design for an Aesthetic Interior

Meaning of Interior Designing

From caves to twenty-first-century multi-storeyed buildings, surroundings have always been of utmost importance for an individual to form an attachment with a place. Be it designing the bedroom as per the aesthetic taste or blending modern facilities with art for a convenient design, interior design has grown at an unprecedented rate over the past few decades. Though the idea of a well-thought out design for interiors can be traced centuries back, in contemporary times, it has emerged to become a full-fledged discipline which is taught at universities across the globe and is only expanding to include diverse job roles. 

An interior designer is a person who must not only possess an impeccable sense of space but also excel in concept development, researching, and executing the design in accordance with the client’s wishes. The job may entail residential or commercial projects but the central resolve lies in one’s ability to align the aesthetics of a place with the purpose of its surroundings. With the increasing population and reducing resources, the job of an interior designer has become more complex. However, creativity is bound to find ways even against these obstacles and we are blessed with inventive, quirky, and unique interior designs on a daily basis. 

Why do we need our interior space to be aesthetically pleasing?

It is scientifically proven that one’s environment is instrumental in determining their mood and thought process. A stimulating and eye-pleasing interior space can exert considerable influence on one’s mental health while a cluttered background may be upsetting to look at. In this age of mechanisation of art and life itself, aesthetically pleasing interior space comes as a breath of fresh air and relief. Even though the houses are small, an individual is free to design them in a way that reflects their personality and induces character into their living space. 

However, these aesthetics vary over the course of time and differ with geographical, social, and cultural norms. From palaces donned by sculptors and Havelis filled with wall art paintings in ancient India to the Gothic and Victorian styles of architecture in Europe to pyramids in Giza of Egypt; interior spaces and their aesthetics have been modulated to suit the requirements of the civilisation inhabiting them. Similarly, while designing a place in today’s world, it is crucial to take into account the lifestyle of the family residing in the house. The aesthetics of a place must ensure a calming and relaxing habitat after the long hours of work.

What are the basic elements of interior designing?

Every organised profession evolves by following a recognised set of elements and principles fundamental to its workings. Interior designing is no exception to this rule. Of course, innovations and new ideas are key to its development but one must understand the basic principles of interior design in order to bring any revolution to the field. A few elements of interior design are as follows:

Balance 

Balance is the first and most important element in the process of creating an aesthetic interior space. The old saying that anything and everything in excess is bad comes to life in interior design. The entire aesthetics of a place depends upon the visual balance created by the designer. The decision to choose any of the following balances will affect the outcome astronomically.

Radial Balance - associated with stairs and round visual weights,

Symmetrical Balance - dividing the space into two haves and filling it with equal visual weights

Asymmetrical Balance - using objects with equal visual weights in opposite directions to create an illusion of balance.

Contrast 

Contrast is the second most important element in interior design. Doing away with conventional ideas of a single colour and form, modern art furnishes a designer with opportunities to experiment with the look of their spaces. Contrast is achieved by the combination of colour, form, and the space provided. The possibilities are infinite and a designer is free to choose whether they want to contrast two colours with a third one or two forms with a third form. 

Shape

Shape not only defines the architectural shape of the space but also refers to the shapes of the artefacts that are employed to fill the space. For example, the use of an oval bed in a square room might feel a little out of place.

Emphasis

Emphasis refers to the central focal piece of the space. One needs to choose a focal point in order to design the positions of the rest of the materials. The central point can range from a furniture piece to a mural as per the desires of the client. For example, the idea of directing furniture with the television set as the focal point in the living rooms has gained a lot of traction in recent times.

Rhythm 

In the land of music, rhythm refers to the flow of words so that the entire piece appears to be in unity. Similarly, rhythm in interior design refers to the flow of weights so that when the perceiver witnesses the room, it appears pleasing to the human eye. The space must be filled in a manner that facilitates the eye's movement in the room from one visual weight to another.

Scale 

Scale is another basic element of interior design. There are a few entities whose size is standard across various designs. For example, the size of a wall. Scale refers to the measurement of the size of an object in relation to any other object. Scale is helpful in the creation of contrast and balance in space if one considers two objects with equal dimensions equal in visual weight.

Proportion

Proportion refers to the relationship between the sizes of two objects. A golden balance of proportions of sizes of objects must be achieved to create a rhythm in the designed space. For example, what should be the size of chairs if one is using a four feet tall dining table. 

Details

The art of interior designing refers to the process of bringing small components together in order to devise a creative and aesthetic collective. Therefore, small details such as the colour of the pillows or the texture of walls must be paid equal attention.

Unity

The whole process of envisioning and designing an interior space is carried out with the aim to achieve unity in the outcome. The wallpaper, the carpets, the couch, and the cushions, all the fractions of the space must resonate with each other and showcase unity with the overarching design scheme.

Harmony

Last but not the least, Harmony is another crucial element in interior design. It refers to the final state of creation where everything in sight appears to belong together. The harmony may be referred to as the feeling in the eyes of the beholder while witnessing a thought-provoking and yet relaxing interior of the designed space.

How can you become an interior designer?

The course to become an interior designer passes through the conventional ways of the education system. After the completion of higher secondary education, one can opt for a degree programs or diploma courses in interior design. 

Courses for Interior Designing

There are several valuable courses that focus on the art of interior design. These courses range from undergraduate courses to diplomas to postgraduate courses. A summary of available courses is given below:

Short-term Courses: People who already have a fair sense of interior design or have been pursuing it and now wish to gain a formal understanding of it, short-term courses are a perfect way to start. If you don’t want to invest too much time in it or just want to give this new domain a fair shot then certificate courses in interior design are there to help you out. 

Diploma Courses: Similarly a more advanced course yet for a shorter duration than a degree is a diploma course. It is ideal for mid-career professionals wishing to give their skillset a power boost and gain formal expertise in the domain. 

Undergraduate Courses: There are numerous design schools that offer undergraduate courses in interior design. These courses are ideal for someone who wishes to chart a full-fledged career in the field and is willing to dedicate a good amount of time to their passion. The undergraduate courses usually spread across 3-4 years and provide a nuanced and highly technical understanding of the various aspects of the field. 

Postgraduate Courses

As a next step towards gaining specialist knowledge after an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree is an ideal choice. In addition to providing detailed and expert insights into the field through collaborative projects and rigorous curriculum, postgraduate courses in design offer an opportunity to network with industry experts and can serve as a good start to venture into the industry. 

In conclusion, interior design is an innovative course that has the potential to satiate one's creative faculties. If it aligns with your professional and personal goals, it is time to enrol in one of the above-mentioned courses.