INTERIOR DESIGN

Interior Design Defined

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) defines interior design as "the professional and comprehensive practice of creating an interior environment that addresses, protects, and responds to human need(s). It is the art, science, and business planning of a creative, technical, sustainable, and functional interior solution that corresponds to the architecture of a space, while incorporating process and strategy, a mandate for well-being, safety, and health, with informed decisions about style and aesthetics".

Wow. That's kind of a lot. What you may really want to know is how interior design relates to you and your project needs. What is an interiors designer's role on a project team and what are their responsibilities? How are they different from decorators and architects?

The product of an interior designer's work is actually present in your daily life more than you may realize. Every commercial public space, workplace, library, lobby, hospital are specifically planned and designed for its own purpose and the users it serves by a team of trained interior designers and architects. EVERY SPACE... Interior designers are specifically responsible for the interior layout, functionality and aesthetic of that space, from wall placement and restroom layouts down to the details of grout joints and doorknobs. They create the full interior environment one experiences within a building shell.

An architect's role focuses on the exterior building shell, facade and structure of the building itself. They are responsible for the exterior aesthetic, materials and construction of the structure with the assistance of structural engineers. Architects and interior designers work together to create a cohesive overall building design relating the exterior aesthetic to the interior environment and often times overlap and collaborate in their roles.

Interior designers go through extensive training to develop the broad range of skills and technical knowledge needed to be successful at their jobs. Certified designers must obtain a college degree from an accredited college and complete a certification exam to become and call themselves an official Certified Interior Designer. Some interior designers choose to work in commerical architecture firms while others choose to work with residential homes.

Alternatively, interior decorators are typically not formally trained and mostly work solely with residential homes. Their focus is on interior aesthetics, materials, textiles and furniture. They are truly artists of the home.

Residentially speaking, the roles of interior decorators, interior designers and architects start to get a little blurry. Typically, a trained and experienced interior designer can achieve similar results as a residential architect, but an interior decorator cannot. Architects are still typically involved with the building of the structure of a home, and many states require an architecural stamp on the blueprints to do so. Most interior designers who work in residential design focus on remodeling spaces within an existing home. With their knowledge of interior architecture, they have the capabilties to change floor plan layouts, create expansions, and do full home remodels on their own, along with the consult of a structural engineer. Interior decorators do not typically have the training to do such tasks independently, but could consult with a contractor, architect or interior designer to do so. They typically perform their role after an interior space is built and focus on perfecting a home's interior aesthetic.

In summary, Interior Designers create the interior experiences of life. They are responsible for the comfortable homes we live in, the spaces we work in, play in, and even heal in. They find the balance between function, beauty and health and can enhance our daily lives through their work. Isn't that amazing!

Project Types

If you can think it, we can achieve it.

HOUSE + HABIT Interiors can assist you with any type of home project you may be dreaming of and would love to collaborate with you to achieve your interior goals. Take a look through the project types listed on this website to see what we have to offer you.

Remodeling Design Process

Remodeling and construction is often times a foreign world to homeowners without connections in the field . The first time can be quite intimidating and you may not know where to start or how things work. If you are approaching a remodeling project on your home, take some time to read through the typical process or contact us and we are happy to answer your questions.

Featured Projects

Check out the gallery for examples of our work with before + after photos.