6 Things You Need to Own as an Interior Designer
What comes to mind when you hear the words “interior design?”
Flair and creativity are some words that spring to the minds of many people.
Interior design is a science.
Professional interior designers work based on a pre-defined set of informal “rules” founded on particular interior design elements and principles. The various elements of interior design include:
- Line
- Space
- Light
- Pattern
- Forms
- Texture
- Color
Interior designs have to balance the various elements of design to come up with aesthetically appealing interiors. It’s also important to ensure that the elements work together in harmony to enhance functionality while improving the look of an interior space.
First, an interior designer analyzes the room to be decorated based on the elements of design. They’re then utilized to mask or improve structural flaws and features within the space.
Although everyone seems to consider themselves an interior designer or decorator, there’re things that set the true ones apart.
The best interior designer resonates with a client’s aesthetics and share a mutual vibe. Upon meeting your client for the first time, you can discuss various things. Some of them include:
- Ideas
- Goals
- Budget
- Views
- Timeline
An interior designer must bring ideas and images to the meeting to help support the brainstorming session of what your client expects or wants.
A good interior designer unlocks the practical and aesthetic potential of an interior space. So, what must you own to work as an interior designer?
If you’re new to the profession or starting your journey to a career path along these lines, here’re the things you’ll need:
- Drawing and sketching supplies
Designers survey the rooms or property to remodel. You then have to sketch out ideas for the home based on the results of your survey and work from it. You’ll need various tools, similar to an architect’s, for the sketching job. They include:
- Compasses
- Mechanical pencils
- Protractors
- Rulers
- Graph papers
You can also use CAD (computer-aided design) software to convert your initial drawings or concepts and related measurements into a 3D plan. CAD delivers a more polished initial sketch and gives a more realistic view of how the interior space may look.
There’re also high quality mobile apps for interior design. They’re handy when you need inspiration and ideas for an interior job at hand. Some popular apps include:
- Planner 5D
- Full Room
- Sweet Home 3D
- Ikea Home
- Design A Room
- Fabric samples and paint chips
Fabric manufacturers offer designers books with attached sample swatches to market their newest products. With the small and compact swatches, choosing fabrics is made easier.
The swatches also aid interior professionals to create memorable color palettes for specific spaces they’re working on.
Fabric samples is a must-have to give your clients a feel and touch of the various materials’ texture. This is a great way to engage your clients in the decision-making process when it comes to choosing the right fabrics.
Similarly, paint manufacturers also offer various color strips or “paint chips” for all their product lines. As an interior designer, you’ll use the strips to select the most ideal colors for the space you’re working on.
It also helps harmonize fabrics and accessories, including paint tones with furniture items for a professional look.
Make sure you choose high quality materials to deliver great finished experiences for your clients. High quality fabrics differ from poor quality ones in feeling and sound. Assess materials for endurance and quality to ensure that your picks are long-lasting.
Opt for natural materials such as silk, wool, and linen. Make sure the furniture you pick is made from solid wood for premium construction. And, note that expensive isn’t always of good quality.
Be thoughtful when choosing fabric material and furniture construction.
- Critical thinking and creative skills
Every room for decoration has a unique functionality, meaning a kitchen, bathroom or art gallery has distinct functional needs. You must master how to balance the design elements to create a functional and aesthetically appealing space.
With critical thinking skills, you’ll be able to adapt to the unique needs of different clients in varied settings.
You also need creativity to understand your clients’ needs (mood and look), and achieve it though fabrics, color and furnishings.
Creative skills will enable you to create complementary color schemes from the varied colors and range of shades out there. Harmonizing the colors with furniture and fabrics to strike a balance also requires creativity.
- A tool box or belt
You also need a tool belt or box with all the essentials you need for hands-on work. Interior designers take lots of measurements and hanging of mirrors and pictures. You’ll need a measuring tape and a level to get the jobs done, respectively.
A measuring tape helps calculate and ascertain the dimensions of furnishings, rooms, positioning of furniture, etc. You’ll need cloth tapes for angled or curved spaces and rigid metal tapes for straight distances.
With digital measuring tapes, you’re guaranteed more convenience and accuracy. They allow precise and targeted measuring of distant objects under proper lighting conditions. They’re also sturdy and withstand wear and tear at construction sites.
Depending on the job at site, you may also need a plasma cutter like the one at bestweldinghelmet.review/plasma-cutter/. Built for safer and flexible use, portable plasma cutters are budget-friendly, easy to use and deliver fast cuts.
Another important tool is a multi-tool. Featuring integrated levels, screwdrivers, pen lights and other essential tools for portable use.
- A digital camera
Invest in a high quality digital camera to take photos of your finished work to show future clients. You need a portfolio with images of previous jobs to show prospective clients.
- A pair of gloves and a color wheel
The work of an interior designer can get dirty. You need a pair of gloves to keep your hands clean when working. You also need a color wheel to help you identify the specific colors your clients want featured in their interior space.