Why Interior Design Matters

Have you ever walked into a room and felt uneasy? Something didn't seem right, and you couldn't handle being in there? Maybe it was the lighting, and the space felt overcrowded or uncomfortable.

Haven't we all gone through that experience? A space, whether a restaurant, a workplace, or even a room in our house, doesn't feel right. Think about a place where you were immediately at ease, a setting that greeted you and made you feel completely at home.

Interior design is about structuring our surroundings to improve our experiences, from how we start our days to unwind at night. It's more than just selecting beautiful objects or colors. It has to do with shape, function, and aesthetics.

We'll explore the importance of interior design, how it affects our daily lives, and how you can use its principles to create environments that truly reflect your personality in this newsletter.

UNDERSTANDING INTERIOR DESIGN

Imagine this: A luxurious sofa, an antique coffee table, and an abstract painting you fell in love with at a nearby art show greet you as you enter a room packed with furnishings you admire. However, when you attempt to put it all together, something feels... off. How come? There was no thought process in the pieces and how they can cohesively work together in your space. You thought, “Eh… why not? They all look good, right?”.

Like a challenging puzzle, improving our homes through design requires balancing art and science. Creating a unified setting that looks amazing and feels welcoming is essential. Blending color, texture, light, and scale in a pleasing way to the eye means mastering the art of design.

Function, form, style, and aesthetics are the four pillars that support any successful design project; they are not just trendy buzzwords. In this post, we'll explore and analyze these fundamental components. Each element is essential and interconnected, each playing a specific part in supporting the design's impact.

What about fashion and beauty? These parts of design are incredibly individualized, just like our fingerprints. When I was working with clients, I always stressed how important it was to include their particular flair in their environments. Their places should reflect their lives, stories, and homes.

While fashions have changed as we go through the history of interior design, from the intricate decorations of the Rococo period to the clean lines of the contemporary minimalist movement, one thing has stayed the same: interior design matters. It has always been significant. It sculpts our surroundings, affects our emotions, and enhances our lives.

THE IMPACT OF INTERIOR DESIGN ON EVERYDAY LIFE

Consider when you entered a room and felt a certain way right away. You might have experienced calmness, vigor, or even anxiety. Ever questioned why? The interior design of a space significantly impacts our emotions and mental health.

The home at Martino Road was all about designing a bright and inviting space. Hamed Omari, the builder and real estate agent, envisioned the house to be a place to bring the peacefulness of the natural outside environment into the home. He wanted this home to feel like an escape from the busyness of everyday life. So, to help evoke those feelings, he used windows that pulled in the natural light and opened up views to the outside world. The great room is an excellent example of this, with windows that envelope the walls and give a serene look to the outdoor trees.

The allure of interior spaces lies in their thoughtful design. It goes beyond essential aesthetics. It involves creating places with the proper lighting, color, layout, and utility to meet our psychological and physiological demands.

Think of a young person getting their first apartment. Here, design is essential because it enables them to construct an aesthetically pleasing and functional space while expressing their unique personalities. Even if it's tiny, they can transform it into a comfortable retreat where they enjoy spending time with clever design.

Even the best intentions can only help if one understands the space correctly. Too much clutter or an empty room might make people uneasy and uncomfortable. However, a well-balanced space? You truly feel at home there.

The significance of interior design increases for individuals balancing various life stages and obligations, such as working from home or raising a family. Spaces must be versatile, practical, and cozy at the same time. How can we accomplish this? Through thorough planning, thoughtful design, and comprehension of the person's needs and way of life.

FUNCTION AND FORM: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

The concept of 'function and form' in interior design may appear to be expert jargon, but it is relatively simple and something you encounter daily.

Function refers to how a place or furniture serves you, whereas form concerns shape, size, and attractiveness. For example, a lovely, modern chair may look great in your home office, but if it gives you a hurting back after an hour of sitting, it's not what it needs to do. Similarly, even if every item is functional, a large, well-lit living room with ill-proportioned furniture would feel odd.

We strive for a lovely balance between these components in every interior design job. It's what I call the sweet spot. It's where functionality meets beauty and function meets style.

I'll tell you about a former client, a young professional who recently relocated to a small apartment. She wanted to combine a collection of enormous furnishings from her former home. Even though she adored each piece, they were overpowering in her new home. So we collaborated to select a few core components that met her needs and supplemented them with more scale-appropriate objects. The result? A room that not only looked good but also functioned well for her.

This illustrates the effectiveness of a balanced collaboration between function and form in design. These two elements are inseparable, representing equally vital aspects of the design process, just like the two sides of the coin.

We must always ask ourselves two critical questions while designing our spaces: 'Does it serve its purpose?' and 'Does it please the eye?' We truly understand why interior design is essential when we find a 'yes' to both.

THE POWER OF STYLE AND AESTHETICS

Interior design aesthetics and style are the secret ingredients that bring cuisine to life - they give it taste, personality, and soul. They are what distinguishes your space.

Style is your unique design expression. It's your story, told through the medium of your home, about who you are and what you love. On the other side, aesthetics is your space's sensory experience - the colors, textures, and patterns that evoke an emotional response.

One of my favorite past projects involves assisting a young lady in transforming her first home. She was a writer with a creative soul who appreciated both old-world elegance and modern comfort. From old typewriters and antique bookcases to modern, snug seating and warm, inviting lighting, we infused her aesthetic into every aspect of her home. The end product was a one-of-a-kind place that expressed her personality and provided a sensory feast.

Remember this when designing your space: Your style and aesthetics are essential to building a house that feels authentically yours. It's about something other than following the current trends but discovering what speaks to you. What helps you feel at ease? What makes you happy? If you can answer these questions correctly, you'll be halfway to mastering the art of interior design.

Infuse your rooms with distinct styles and aesthetics that speak to your heart. After all, that is what makes a house a home, and it is why interior design is so important.

ROLE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN REAL ESTATE

What comes to mind when we discuss the market value of a property? How much space do you have? Location? While these are significant considerations, interior design also plays a vital part in the real estate industry, frequently serving as the distinguishing feature that can make or break a purchase.

Consider a property to be a book: the outside may entice you, but it is the interior that keeps you interested. Quality design can raise the value of a property and attract buyers or tenants.

Even with all of the beautiful materials and finishes that were incorporated into the renovation of 1108 Martino Road, it still wasn’t complete to go on the market without great staging. This final puzzle piece pulled everything together, allowing buyers to envision their lives there. The staging furniture had to reflect the feelings the design was trying to evoke and work with the space. Choosing the right pieces that didn’t feel too big or too small was one of the most critical factors. Again, the key to great design and staging in real estate is to help buyers feel excited about living in the home. It should never feel like they’re walking into someone else’s home.

Walking into a well-designed location builds an emotional connection for a buyer. It makes it easier for them to imagine themselves living there. A property that is more than just a place but also a 'home' is often more desirable.

However, it is critical to note that good design does not imply excessive luxury. It is about building a functional, appealing place that caters to the future buyer's or tenant's lifestyle.

So, whether you're considering selling or renting out your home, keep the power of beautiful interior design in mind. It not only improves our quality of life, but it may also be a wise financial investment.

HARNESSING THE PRINCIPLES OF INTERIOR DESIGN

How can you use interior design concepts to create an environment that speaks to you?

Recognizing that your home reflects you is the first step. Don't be misled by passing trends; instead, concentrate on what fits your personality, lifestyle, and needs. Your home should be a sanctuary where you can find comfort and joy.

Begin with function and then move on to form. Examine your way of life and your living place. Do you have a home office? Do you enjoy entertaining? Your responses will direct your design decisions. A home office requires a different strategy than a dining area for huge dinner gatherings. Consider the size and arrangement of your location. A big sofa may fit in a vast, open room, but sleek, compact furniture may work in a smaller space.

Consider style and aesthetics next. This is your moment to show off your personality. Do you like bright colors? Feel free to use a bright blue sofa or a striking wall. Are you a natural minimalist? Choose a neutral color scheme with clear lines.

A mood board can be a handy tool. Collect photos, color swatches, fabric samples, and other inspiring items. This will assist you in visualizing your environment and ensuring that all of the aspects operate in harmony.

When I was working in the design industry, lighting was one of the biggest things I would watch. It's a feature that is commonly disregarded yet has the potential to alter a room significantly. Distinct lighting can produce different moods. Let’s take color temperature, for example. Bright, natural light has a cooler feel and can enliven a space, while soft, warm lighting that’s more yellow or orange can make a room feel snug and soothing. Choosing the right color temperature depends on the feelings and emotions you’re trying to bring out.

Finally, keep in mind that good design changes. Our lives aren't static, and neither should our homes. As your lifestyle evolves, so should your living space. The beauty of interior design is that it, like us, allows for adaptation and growth.

I invite you to take the time to look around your surroundings. Every piece, every color, and every texture tells a narrative about you. It reflects who you are and what you enjoy. This is the core of design: a silent yet powerful story that impacts our daily life.

Interior design, whether we recognize it or not, has a significant impact on our lives. It affects our mood, productivity, and overall well-being. It increases the value of our homes and makes them genuinely ours. Interior design, as we've seen in this article, is a delicate balance of function, form, style, and aesthetics - a blend that creates the magic we feel in a well-designed environment.

Our spaces should be a monument to our journeys, reflecting our changes, progress, and uniqueness. So, here's to making homes that soothe us, offices that inspire us, and spaces that convey our tales. Because that is why interior design is essential, and that is why it will always be necessary.

Featured Project By:

Hamed Omari

Builder & Real Estate Agent

DRE#02057925

Golden State Real Estate & Management

Home Listing By:

Luxe Realty Group

21 Massolo Drive

Suite C

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

925-421-7227

DRE #02062655

Photography & Cinematography By:

Mike Calpito

www.cre8r.agency

About The Author

Rachel Dala is an Interior Designer from the Bay Area, California, currently the Assistant Creative Director for Inside.