Understanding key interior design terms

To be an interior decorator or designer, you need a great design sense and a good grasp of interior design terms as well as basic principles. If you’re starting a career in design, or are hiring designers and architects for your new home, learning interior design lingo is the first important step. Being able to talk clearly with other designers will make it easier to bring your creative ideas to life and make your design work smoother.

Why are interior design terms important?

Effective communication is crucial for interior designers. Or, for any professional for that matter. The benefits of familiarizing oneself with the terminology in interior design are manifold. Firstly, it enhances communication, especially when collaborating with other designers. Additionally, for those inclined towards do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, understanding interior design terminology proves helpful in following instructions and applying design principles accurately for desirable outcomes.

Interestingly, knowing specific interior design words such as ‘bespoke’ helps you understand the concept of personalization. It can enable you to articulate your preferences and create a home that is uniquely yours. 

Moreover, understanding interior design terms such as eclectic and elevated instills confidence in making style choices and encourages experimentation. Lastly, being well-versed in these terms saves time, as it streamlines decision-making processes and expedites task execution by reducing the need for extensive explanations.

What are the most important interior design terms one should be versed in?

To help you master the language of home design and home decor conveniently, we have segregated the terms into certain categories. 

Color concepts and textures

• Color scheme: A palette of colors used to design a space with a specific aesthetic or visual goal.
• Contrast: Creating visual interest by using opposite textures, light and dark colors, solids and patterns, etc.
• Color wheel: This crucial designer’s tool, organizes colors in a circle, aiding in harmonious color scheme selection and understanding the balance of contrasting and complementary hues.
• Complementary colors: Opposite on the color wheel, they create a vibrant contrast, adding dynamism to interior design. For example, pairs such as red and green generate a stimulating visual impact.
• Monochromatic colors: Exploring varying shades of a single color. It promotes harmony, with subtle intensity variations evoking sophisticated and soothing moods in design.
• Chromatic colors: Any colors other than white, grey, and black.
• Contrast texture: Incorporating diverse textures. Like, pairing rough walls with glossy furniture creates visual interest and a pleasing contrast.
• Advancing colors: Creates an optical illusion using dark colors to make a surface appear closer or larger.
• Balance: Harmony in a space that is achieved through equal weights and heights in interior details, including textures, finishes, and colors. The idea is to achieve cohesion among style elements or color palettes in a space.
• Textured: Describing a room or object with tactile and/or visual appeal, often achieved through different fabrics, colors, and patterns.

Design elements

• Well-appointed: A room designed with high-end furnishings and exceptional execution of interior design principles.
• Focal point: The intentional center of attention within a room, often influencing other design elements.
• Elevated: Enhancing an interior space or design detail through the designer’s expertise.
• Hygge [hue-guh]: Creating a feeling of contentment, wellness, and coziness within an interior.
• Layered: Adding design elements at different levels, such as flooring, window treatments, furniture, and accessories.
• Mood: The overall feeling and atmosphere of a space created by interior finishes and details.
• Rhythm: Design with a flow that generates a rhythm, guiding the eye through various elements such as patterns, colors, and textures.
• Scale: Refers to the size of a design element in relation to the dimensions of the space.
• Chair rail: Horizontal molding placed towards the middle of a wall.
• Elevation: A two-dimensional plan depicting the vertical angle of a design.
• Enfilade: A series of connected rooms with aligned doorways.
• Niche or an alcove: A recessed or a separate area within a wall or room.
• Proportion: Understanding the scale of specific elements in an object.

Furniture, furnishings, and decor

• Curated: A designer’s collection of furnishings that reflects personal style or has historical significance.
• Cabriole leg: An ornamented furniture leg with a double curved structure.
• Case goods: Cabinetry and furniture designed for storage space.
• Chaise: An upholstered furniture piece shaped like a lounge chair.
• Antique: Furniture or decor that’s at least a century old.
• Barcelona chair: The well-known Barcelona chair, designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the 1929 International Exposition, is a must-know for interior design students.
• Console table: A freestanding table often found in entryways for decorative elements.
• Kitchen countertop: A horizontal surface in kitchens for cooking and eating.
• Etagere: Freestanding or hanging open shelves for displaying trinkets.
• Settee: An upholstered piece of furniture for seating two people.
• Trompe l’oeil: A technique to create a three-dimensional illusion, often through realistic painting.
• Upholstery: Cushioning and padding on furniture pieces.

Architectural styles, themes, and floor plans

• Mid-Century Modern: Architectural design style post-World War II with open floor plans and large windows.
• Victorian: Architectural style with highly ornamented design and grand facades.
• Art Deco: A modernist style of visual arts that emerged in France before World War I.
• Bauhaus: A design style defined by simplistic modernism and the concept of “form following function.”
• Chinoiserie: A European style mimicking elements of East Asian art.
• Feng Shui: An ancient Chinese design method based on energy forces for harmony with surroundings.
• Open concept: A modern design term for an open floor plan with multiple activities or tasks in one large space.
• Retro: Design reminiscent of older styles and sensibilities.
• Galley kitchen: It refers to a long, narrow kitchen layout where cabinets and appliances are arranged along two parallel walls, creating an efficient and space-saving design.

Textiles and materials

• Bouclé: A heavy textile containing looped yarn, creating texture.
• Faux: Artificially constructed design elements mimicking other materials.
• Jacquard: Woven, highly textured fabrics with the design incorporated into the weave.
• Patina: A light layer of gloss or film on a surface due to age or distress.

 Flooring

• Hardwood flooring: Timeless and durable, hardwood offers natural beauty and warmth. It is available in various wood species and finishes.
• Laminate flooring: Budget-friendly and versatile, laminate replicates the look of hardwood or tile with a durable, synthetic surface.
• Vinyl flooring: Resilient and water-resistant, vinyl comes in a range of styles, including luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
• Wall-to-wall carpeting: Soft and comfortable, carpets offer warmth and insulation. These are available in various textures, patterns, and colors.
• Tile flooring: Durable and easy to clean, tiles come in ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, providing endless design options.
• Bamboo flooring: Eco-friendly and renewable, bamboo offers a unique aesthetic with a similar look to hardwood.
• Cork flooring: Sustainable and comfortable, cork is soft underfoot and has natural sound-absorbing properties.
• Concrete flooring: Modern and industrial, polished concrete is a durable and low-maintenance option for contemporary spaces.
• Linoleum flooring: Environmentally friendly and resilient, linoleum is made from natural materials and comes in various colors and patterns.
• Engineered wood flooring: Combining real wood veneer with plywood, engineered wood provides a stable and moisture-resistant alternative to solid hardwood.

Windows, doors, and walls

• Clerestory windows: Windows placed above eye level.
• Interior wall: A wall inside a house for structural support or division.
• Wainscoting: Interior wall paneling covering the lower portion of a wall.
• Window treatments: Window coverings that are used for aesthetic design, privacy, and insulation.
• Single-hung windows: These windows have a movable lower sash and a fixed upper sash, allowing for ventilation while maintaining a classic look.
• Double-hung windows: Both the upper and lower sashes of these windows are movable, providing flexibility in ventilation and easier cleaning.
• Casement windows: Hinged on one side and opened with a crank, casement windows offer unobstructed views and excellent ventilation.
• Awning windows: Hinged at the top and opening outward, awning windows are ideal for letting in fresh air while keeping rain out.
• Sliding windows: Operating horizontally, sliding windows are easy to use and perfect for contemporary designs, offering wide views and ample ventilation.
• Bay windows: Projecting outward from the home, bay windows create additional space and bring in plenty of natural light. They are often used for cozy seating areas.
• Picture windows: Large, fixed-pane windows designed to frame scenic views and maximize natural light without ventilation capabilities.
• Skylight windows: Installed in the roof, skylights provide overhead natural light, enhancing the overall brightness of a room.

Home lighting and electrical terms

• Recessed lighting: Can or pot lighting which involves fixtures installed into the ceiling, creating a sleek and unobtrusive lighting design with the light source set back into the ceiling surface.
• Dimmable: Adjustable lightbulb brightness.
• J-Box: Junction box, wall-mounted unit housing electrical wires.
• Light fixture: A device housing an electrical lamp for illumination.
• Kelvin: Units measuring the color of a light source.
• Sconces: Wall-mounted light fixtures for support.

What are the 3 F’s of interior design?

• Form: Refers to the overall shape and structure of the design elements within a space, including furniture, decor, and architectural features.
• Function: Focuses on the practical use and purpose of the elements in a design, ensuring that the space meets the needs and activities of its inhabitants.
• Flow: Addresses the arrangement and organization of elements to create a harmonious and balanced layout, guiding the movement and visual continuity within a space.

What is the general rule of 3 in the interior design industry?

The rule of 3 in interior design is a guideline that suggests that objects or design elements arranged in groups of three tend to be more visually appealing, balanced, and memorable. This rule is based on the principle that odd numbers create a sense of harmony and interest in a composition. Whether it’s three similar items grouped together or three different elements creating a cohesive unit, the rule of 3 is a common technique used to enhance the aesthetics of interior spaces.

What are the most important principles of interior design?

There are seven main principles of interior design. They guide the arrangement and composition of elements within a space to create an aesthetically pleasing environment. 

• Balance: Achieving visual equilibrium by distributing visual weight evenly throughout the space. There are two types of balance: symmetrical (even distribution) and asymmetrical (uneven distribution).
• Harmony and unity: Creating a sense of cohesion and consistency in a design, ensuring that all elements work together to convey a unified theme or mood.
• Emphasis (or focal point): Highlighting a particular element or area to draw attention and create visual interest. This can be achieved through color, contrast, or unique design elements.
• Contrast: Managing differences in color, texture, or form to add variety and make elements stand out. Contrast creates visual interest and helps define different areas within a space.
• Rhythm and repetition: Establishing a sense of movement or continuity through repeated elements or patterns, providing a flow that leads the eye through the space.
• Scale and proportion: Ensuring that the size and proportion of elements within a space are visually pleasing and proportionate to each other. This creates a sense of balance and avoids visual discomfort.
• Color: Using color to evoke emotions, set the tone, and establish a cohesive color scheme within a space. Consideration of the color wheel, temperature, and intensity is crucial.
• Space: Managing positive and negative space to create a well-balanced and comfortable environment. This involves the arrangement of furniture and design elements to optimize spatial relationships.

Last thoughts

Learning the language of interior design concepts can make a big difference in decorating, remodeling, or building your dream home. Knowing the proper interior design terms helps you talk to contractors and other home design professionals effortlessly so that you can execute your home’s design.

Read more: Do you need a license to be an interior designer?

Written by Ramona Sinha. April 21, 2024

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.