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How to Develop an Interior Design Concept – 5 Basic Principles to Follow

What Is An Interior Design Concept?


An interior design concept is an idea that guides the design of any room, space, or building interior. It goes beyond selecting furniture, choosing styles, themes, and colors, or deciding what accessories go where. It is about creating a mood, a function, and a personality for residential and commercial interior spaces.

When an interior designer needs to develop a design concept, there are some simple and basic principles to follow. But, they must start with a preconceived idea. This idea is what lays the foundation for the visual components that make up part of the total design package. Without a concept, a designer cannot convey a vision.

Image source - viryabo@polyvore.com

How do Interior Designers Develop an Idea, Help Clients Visualize it, and Turn it Into a Reality?


To achieve success in any project, a design concept must consider three things:
1. Function
2. Versatility
3. Aesthetics (or attractiveness).

The design idea must be a well-thought-out solution that effectively brings these three together. While some clients know what they want or think they do, putting everything perfectly together is mostly beyond them. No matter how creative they may think they are, most still require interior design services to help them put every idea they have together.



Image used under license from 123rf.com


What Are The Five Basic Principles Required To Develop An Interior Design Concept?


Developing a great concept is not hard. There are no hard and fast rules about how things should be done (or not). However, these five basic principles are good to follow and utilize in most interior design situations for any design project ranging from designing a studio apartment to creating a restaurant interior or a 5-star hotel suite.

The fundamental principles needed to develop the design concept are:

1. Colour
2. Scale
3. Style
4. Space planning
5. Functionality

Although each value is crucial to a project, they are interrelated. Collectively, they all help create attractive, comfortable, functional, and inviting spaces. And because they need to be applied collectively, the result is a unified feel within the interior space.

1. Color

Color is a vital element. It is the fundamental principle that will tie a design together. Designers must choose a color scheme with thoughts about the effects they will create in the final look. Colors can affect moods, energies, and perception, so it is best to develop a color scheme that suits the purpose of the space and reflects the client's personality.

There are usually about four colors to use. Maybe five if you wish to create an eclectic style. Otherwise, more than four can result in garish looks. And for a minimalist look, using fewer than four colours is acceptable. However, the basic color scheme must consist of the following:
  1. A primary colour, which is the main hue.
  2. A secondary colour.
  3. Supplementary (complementary) colours.
Combine this group of colors effectively to bring beauty and enrichment to the room. Essentially, they should come as a mix of:
  • Solid colours
  • Patterns
  • Textures 

A beautiful combination of colors with yellow being the primary color.
Image used under license from 123rf.com


2. Scale

Scale is the second important aspect that ensures a design concept works out beautifully. Depending on the size and volume of a room(s), all objects placed within it must be related scale-wise.

Many DIY enthusiasts may need to learn how important it is to work with the right scale. This is where the expertise of a professional designer comes to play. When the scale of anything is at odds with everything around it, it will result in an unattractive space.

For instance, if you arrange large or oversized pieces in small spaces, the room will appear cramped and stifled. Even if you have the best colour mix and stylish furniture, you end up with an unappealing look if the furniture and other interior accessories are at cross-purposes, scale-wise.

A floor plan that is drawn to scale. Image used under license from 123rf.com

3. Style

Style is a set of characteristics that defines the appearance and feel of interior spaces and can be influenced by historical periods, cultural trends, or personal preferences. Even though every interior designer has a unique style to recommend, there are occasions when a client specifies what they desire.

For homemakers with a feel for interior design, the simple and somewhat popular theme is eclectic styling. Eclectic styles are generally informal and elicit comfortable and relaxed feelings. It is also one of the least complex styles any designer can develop.

Some popular interior design styles include:
  • Contemporary
  • Urban-Modern
  • Traditional
  • Rustic
  • Eclectic
  • Minimalist
  • Bohemian

Style should be considered when designing spaces meant to express a client’s personality, mood, and aesthetic preferences. Such interior spaces include living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Ultimately, the best interior design concept is one that balances function and style harmoniously.

Minimalist and stylish. Image used under license from 123rf.com


4. Space Plan

There must be thoughtful planning of space and functional zone allocations within each room. It does not matter whether the style is the best or the colour scheme is pleasant. The design concept will fail if items and objects are not placed to the best advantage. The following questions will identify the purpose of the interior space and help define its goals and requirements

1. What is its purpose?
2. What is its function?
3. Who will use it
4. How will it be used?
5. What are the needs and preferences of its users?

A good rule of thumb is to choose and decide on a focal point in the room. Once that is determined, placing primary elements like sofas, tables, cabinets, beds, and stools is a breeze. And with these primary elements in position, adding other enhancing secondary features and accessories is easy.

Space planning and zone allocation. Image used under license from 123rf.com

5. Functionality

One of the common questions in interior design is whether function precedes style. Although there is no conclusive answer to this question because clients may have different preferences and needs, and designers may have ideas of the best approach. But in all honesty, function should be a priority when designing spaces with specific purposes. Examples are kitchens, bathrooms, storage solutions, niches, and office spaces. For instance:
  • There must be solutions to storage issues because they are one of the most vital requirements in smaller homes and offices. With larger homes with closets, large wardrobe spaces, and built-in shelving, compartmentalizing is key. Also, structures must serve various functions. In such instances, aesthetics may take second place.
  • Components in a kitchen design necessitate an efficient arrangement so that its user can work and move effortlessly from one function to another.
  • Balconies should not be dumping spaces for broken down bicycles, discarded appliances, or other useless stuff. Make them functional and beautiful by converting them into indoor gardens. And if one is too small to bring the outdoors in, create vertical gardens instead.
  • Dead-end spaces are made functional in ways that are sometimes unthought of. Install decorative shelving, built-in cabinets, display stands, etc. Make them galleries of framed family photographs, plaques, trophies, and medals.

Turn a balcony into a garden. Image source - @viryabo creations

The Finishing Touches


Adding finishing touches is a more detailed topic but it is good to mention something about interior space detailing and accessorizing here.

Details and accessories are the finishing touches that complete the design process. They are what add interest, appeal, and charm to interiors. Lighting effects, area rugs, window treatments, wall art, pillows, aromatherapy essentials, indoor plants, and other decorative objects that enhance are examples of details and accessories. Choose finishing touches that complement the style, color scheme, and purpose.

Finishing touches - Rugs, wall art, etc... Image used under license from 123rf.com

Conclusion


Every professional interior designer must consider these basic principles if they desire successfully implemented projects. Whether the task is simple or complex, low cost or high budget, each aspect deserves due acknowledgement so that the final design results in an interior that is not only aesthetically pleasing but calming, versatile, and functional.



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