Interior Design

(a glossary of terms relating to the decoration and design of interior spaces in buildings)

abode
An interior space within a building which is designed to be inhabited, rather than for business purposes.
abstract
A rough sketch designed to show the general design imagined for a space without it necessarily showing the exact measurements, materials, or effects.
art deco
A style of art and design that dates from the 1920's, using bold geometric shapes and colors in a symmetrical, organic manner.
art nouveau
 A highly decorative style of art and design dating from the end of the nineteenth century. It uses organic forms from nature to create sinuous shapes with heavy ornamentation.
bauhaus
A school of design that was developed in Germany in the 1920's. It combined a Modernist outlook with an emphasis on functionality in interior design and architecture.
color scheme
A particular palette of colors that will be used within a room or a particular space. The color scheme is portrayed through paint colors, furniture, and soft furnishings; such as, carpets and curtains.
Computer Aided Design, CAD
Interior designers often use Computer Aided Design software in order to produce accurate sketches for clients.
contemporary style
A modern design style that uses sleek, bold colors, and designs from modern designers.

Contemporary design often employs straight edges rather than curves, and tends towards minimalism.

direct lighting
Lighting placed into, or attached from, the ceiling of a room in order to provide general overhead artificial light.
eclectic
A style of interior design that uses elements from all other styles of design, mixing and matching different elements together to create a unique look.
ergonomics
The science of designing furniture, interiors, and products in a way that will maximise the efficiency and comfort of those who will use them.
Feng Shui
A type of interior design that originated in China, and incorporates ideas of balance and the flow of energy to create harmonious interior spaces.
green design interior; sustainable design
A design that takes into account the environmental impact of the materials used by choosing more sustainable products, and also seeks to minimise the energy cost of the space created by means of correct insulation, green forms of heating and cooling, and low-energy light sources.
home theater, home cinema
 An area within the home set aside for use as a cinema, with a projector, screen and audio equipment designed to replicate the experience of visiting the cinema within the home.
indirect lighting
 Lighting other than overhead lights that can be used to create different effects and atmospheres within a room.