Ask two people ‘what is interior design?‘ and you are likely to get two different answers. Residential interior design means more than getting the right ‘look’ for a room – it involves designing a space for how you will use it.
As a practie it covers a wide range of skillsets – from the creative design and architecture to elements of project management and budget management.
As a profession it is still quite new, compared to more established careers – and as a result it is not regulated. That is why its all the more important you work with qualified interior designers.
Some think of interior design at its “fluffier” interior-decoration end of the spectrum. When, in fact, interior design of large interior design project involved working with a host of stakeholders – from clients, to retailers as well as architects, engineers, health and safety professionals as well as tradespeople.
To deal with this complex area, your interior designer, or their team of specialists, should have a knowledge of:
- Current Design styles;
- Spatial planning;
- Conduct a survey as to how the space to be designed is actually used;
- Appropriate use of construction and materials;
- Relevant policy, procedures, regulations and approvals;
- Procurement and project management;
- Technical aspects (acoustics, lighting, audio visual equipment, Smart Home devices)
- Sustainability;
- Biophilics
- When to bring in specialist consultants;
