The Value of Interior Design

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When thinking about what Interior Design means to me, so many subjects, issues, and emotions rush through my head. I initially think about the definition from ASID, that Interior Design is about providing for the health, safety and wellbeing of the user of the space. With that set aside, Interior Design is so much more to me. When designing a space, so much is simultaneously being thought about, including functionality of the space, aesthetics of the space, but most importantly, the ability for the space to be safely occupied by an individual, no matter what their special needs may be. To me, Interior Design involves the entire interior of a space or building, and everything that makes up that space, including that from the environment to the psychology. By taking advantage of your available resources and utilizing all accumulated knowledge, designing an interior should solve any problems involving function, user ability, accessibility, and aesthetics.

An entirely too common misconception about Interior Design is that it is driven around decorating the space. There is an industry for that; it is called Interior Decorating, not Interior Design. Because what we do is so closely related to that of architecture, the idea that Interior Design is an entirely different profession is almost inconceivable, leading to one that is unknowledgeable to the profession, to assume Interior Design is decorating.

It is rather annoying to constantly hear something that you have worked so hard towards called or considered something it is not. Having to continually explain the difference between a designer and a decorator to those whom could one day hire me, leads me to believe the majority of my clients wont understand the value or quality of my work. Although I have always wanted to further my education in architecture, since I have learned more about the industry, and fought for Interior Design to remain a regulated profession, I almost want the degree just so Ill be taken more seriously by others I will be working with.

Many wonder why I didn’t just go for a degree in architecture. What many don’t understand is the value of a degree in Interior Design and how it will benefit me as both a student and a professional in the field of architecture. Interior Design focuses on the entire interior of the space, as explained before, where architecture involves the structure as well as the exterior of the space. Being educated in as many aspects within the field will help to produce a more stable and reliable project, that you know will be suitable as well as enjoyable for the user.