Elements of Interior Design – Function or Aesthetics, Chicken or Egg

Interior Design Trends
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It should be hoped that we can all agree there are 7 elements of interior design, including: space, line, forms, light, color, texture and pattern. We can also hope that keeping these elements balanced is the key to creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional interior, for home or office.

Yet, despite agreements about the elements of interior design, the purpose of interior design is too often ignored. After all, a good designer hopes that their clients are not merely trying to impress the neighbors, but rather, that they are hoping to improve their quality of life.

With that in mind, the purpose of interior design is to ensure that a living space or office will fulfill its purpose; that is, to ensure a home is livable and that an office is a good place to work.

While these points may seem obvious to many, problems arise when the two most important components of interior design are given unequal weight and focus: function and aesthetics.

The War Between Function vs. Beauty

The balance between aesthetics and function is a challenging one, as both of these components have similar importance in the design process. When this balance becomes tipped in favor of aesthetics, qualities such as comfort and ergonomics may be compromised. Then again, when the balance tips in favor of function over aesthetics, comfort and livability become dominant, with little regard for beauty and style.

It is incumbent on the designer that the 7 elements of interior design are used to balance the function and aesthetics of any space on which they work. In fact, doing so is the very definition of what it takes to be a professional interior designer (as far as we’re concerned).

  • Function – A simple yet accurate definition of function is: Capable of serving a purpose well.

For example, “A poorly designed house may be reasonably large but it may not provide the occupants with the space the needed. On the other hand, a small apartment may be transformed into a home with adequate space for virtually all the functions required by its occupants. This may be achieved with the use of some of the latest design principles and elements such as a special staircase or loft.

“Similarly, in an office, good interior design brings together all the features needed for effective function, productivity and comfort. Thus, everything works in unison from the lighting to furniture and equipment. This means that the office will become a place where people desire to be instead of where they have to be.” (HomeyImprovements.com)

  • Aesthetics – This is the area of interior design that focuses on beauty and taste. (What most think of as “the fun stuff”.)

“Interior designers can create aesthetic appeal in virtually all parts of a home or office. Beginning with a suitable design theme, an interior designer will provide the color, paint, ambiance, textures, balance, and symmetry to provide a stunning appearance. [Through the use of the 7 elements.]

“This aesthetic quality will match the purpose and function of each room or space. Hence, the appearance of the living room will enhance relaxation, the bedroom design will enhance rest and good sleep, while the home office area will enhance creative thinking and productivity.” (HomeyImprovements.com)

It’s unfortunate that a focus on aesthetics seems to have overwhelmed function to a great extent lately. This has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by this article at Medium.com:

“Camera-friendly aesthetics may be compromising the ‘comfort factor’ in many designs, however, it is not to say that aesthetics do not still have a fundamental importance. Aesthetic aspects like the appearance, texture, and finish of an object provide important information about its function and understanding of its quality and how it has been made.

“Therefore, aesthetic features cannot only be leveraged to allow an object to look appealing, but also to explain what it is and what you can do with it. Therefore a balance of the two is required for a successful product. The classic design principle ‘form follows function’ suggests that form and function should be balanced, [while] communicating the main function correctly.”

In other words, one does not have to sacrifice comfort for beauty; operation for appearance; or tranquility for taste. In fact, for the best interior designers, the elements of interior design are used only to enhance both function and aesthetics in every project.

Looking for more interior design tips, design trends, marketing tips, new products, and furnishing ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.