Want to learn the industry terms used by every interior designer? We’ve got an extensive list for you here complete with examples and definitions.
Whether you’re thinking of taking on some DIY interior design at home, hiring a professional interior designer for a project, or learning how to become an interior designer as part of a career change, knowing the terminology of interior design is an important part of those processes. If any of these sound like you then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be running through a glossary of the interior design terms you should know, from accent wall to wingback chair and everything in between.
Ready to dive in? Then let’s get started!
Accent wall
An accent wall is a popular interior design effect whereby one wall is designed differently from the other walls in a room. This might be done to give the room a focal point or to create an area of visual interest for visitors. An accent wall can be achieved in a variety of different ways. Some popular choices include painting the area in a bold colour, using textured wallpaper, covering the area with an interesting rug, or creating a mirrored wall.
Armoire
For those seeking a bedroom storage solution without sacrificing an elegant interior design aesthetic, an armoire is a good choice. This tall and freestanding wardrobe is typically used for storing garments and linens and is both decorative and practical.
Asymmetry
Suggesting a more informal, dynamic, and modern approach to interior design, asymmetry is the practice of deliberately placing design elements throughout a room without considering the symmetry of the space.
Art Deco
First coming to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s, the Art Deco movement promoted an opulent aesthetic featuring bold colours, metallic surfaces, as well as geometric furniture designs and wallpaper patterns.
Apothecary cabinet
If you’re looking to inject some nostalgia into a room, an apothecary cabinet might be the perfect way to do it. This vintage-inspired piece of furniture comprises multiple compartments and small drawers that provide useful storage for smaller objects, while the overall design is both elegant and charming.
Balance
Balance is an important interior design principle that involves seeking to find equilibrium in a space. This is achieved within a design through the harmonious distribution of “visual weight”: the measurement of how much different design elements draw the attention of inhabitants and guests. By balancing colour, size, textures, and light, interior designers can ensure a cohesive and visually attractive space.
Backsplash
Shielding walls from splashes, stains, and moisture, a backsplash is typically made of ceramic, glass, or stone and is placed in different rooms of the house behind sinks and stoves.
Burlap
Burlap is a woven fabric that is made from vegetable fibres. In a living space, it can add texture, depth, and rustic undertones when used for furnishings such as rugs, upholstery, and curtains.
Cohesive
A cohesive space is one in which all the design elements work seamlessly together, creating a unified and harmonious visual effect. Designers aim for consistency in style, colour, and theme to ensure the creation of a cohesive interior.
Contrast
Contrast in interior design is an effective tool for enhancing the visual appeal of a space and involves positioning contrasting design elements close to one another. Contrast in colour, texture, and shape are popular choices which help to emphasise a space’s key features and add visual interest.
Chaise lounge
Not quite an armchair and not quite a sofa, a chaise lounge is an upholstered reclining chair with an extended seat that is used for relaxing or lounging. This piece of furniture, which has its roots in 18th-Century France, adds elegance and sophistication to a room.
Console table
A console table is a slim, tall table commonly seen placed against the wall of a hallway or entryway. This piece of furniture provides a convenient and space-saving surface for homeowners to leave keys, posts, or other items that might be needed when entering or exiting the house.
Complementary colours
Complementary colours are colours and shades that work well together within your design scheme. To find which colours work best together, look for opposite hues on the colour wheel. These colours will help you create a palette for your room that is striking rather than clashing.
Curtain rod
The hardware required for hanging curtains in a room, curtain rods come in various styles and designs to suit every kind of space and aesthetic. The rods are commonly made from wood, metal, or plastic, though other options are available.
Cornice
A cornice describes the decorative moulding at the top of a wall or window. They serve two main purposes: to add visual interest to the room and to mark the boundaries of a space.
Chiaroscuro
Often used in lighting design, chiaroscuro is the art of contrasting light and dark to create a dramatic and 3D effect.
Chair rail
Sometimes referred to as a dado rail or surbase, a chair rail is a moulding installed horizontally along the walls of a room. While originally intended to protect walls from the backs of chairs, these days they are also frequently installed to promote an elegant aesthetic and divide wall space.
Daybed
Similar to a sofa, a daybed is designed to be enjoyed for reclining or napping during the daytime. Usually placed in living spaces, as opposed to bedrooms, they can also be a stylish addition to a room or used as a sofa when entertaining guests.
Eclectic
A popular interior design style, eclectic spaces see the combining of styles, influences, and eras in one space. This aesthetic embraces personal expression and individualism and celebrates vibrant patterns, colours, and accent pieces.
Focal point
A focal point in interior design refers to a prominent design element that attracts the attention of visitors and gives a room a central focus. Examples of focal points include accent walls, striking pieces of art, and unusual architectural features.
Grommet
Typically found in curtains, belts, and upholstery, a grommet is a reinforced hole or ring that is used to fasten or to decorate. A common example of a grommet is the reinforced ring found in curtains which the curtain pole goes through when hanging.
Hue
Hue is the word used to describe the pure colour of an object and is often used interchangeably with the word “colour”. In interior design, different hues are what together make the overall colour palette of a room.
Minimalism
Minimalism celebrates simplicity and functionality over decoration or detail. By emphasising clean lines, a neutral colour palette, and open-plan spaces, this interior design style promotes a sense of sophistication and a relaxing atmosphere.
Mullion
Mullion is the term used to describe the material that divides a window into different sections. It can serve to enhance the character of the window.
Mood board
Commonly used by interior designers to communicate their ideas to clients or collaborators, a mood board is a compilation of images, materials, and colours and is an important tool by which a designer can convey their vision for a project.
Monochromatic
A colour scheme utilising variations in lightness and saturation of a single colour. Monochromatic designs are sophisticated and visually cohesive.
Modular
For individuals who often change their minds, a modular design scheme is the perfect interior design option. Modular refers to when furniture or accessories are composed of independent units rather than fixed or combined units. This means they can be placed throughout a room in a multitude of different ways, enabling the individual to adapt to different interior layouts and trends with ease.
Ombre
Ombre describes the graduation of colour from light to dark or dark to light. It can be used in many areas of interior design, including wall colour, carpets, curtains, and decorative pieces.
Ottoman
An upholstered, padded seat or footstool with no arms and no back, Ottomans are used as a resting area for the feet, extra seating in a living room, or simply as a decorative and stylish accent.
Palette
A palette is simply a range of colours that have been chosen to form the basis of a particular design. These colours typically complement each other and the space they are being used in, help form a cohesive look and represent the tastes of the individual.
Parquet flooring
Parquet flooring refers to a particular type of wooden flooring that consists of a geometric pattern formed by small pieces of wood. This style of flooring adds depth and elegance to a room.
Rustic
A design style featuring natural, weathered, and rugged elements. Rustic interiors often incorporate wood, stone, and earthy tones for a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Sconce
A sconce is both a practical and decorative light fixture that is attached to the wall and used to provide soft, more ambient lighting in a room.
Scale
Scale refers to the size of objects such as furniture and accessories in relation to other objects in the same room. Interior designers need to bear scale in mind when designing a room to ensure that all elements of the decor are harmonious with each other and the overall design.
Symmetry
Imparting a sense of order and classical elegance to a room, symmetry is the creation of a visual balance which is achieved by mirroring elements from one side of a room on the other side.
Shabby chic
Shabby chic describes a warm and welcoming design style characterised by distressed wooden furniture, a soft pastel colour palette, and floral patterned textiles. Together these design elements promote vintage charm with a hint of worn elegance and romanticism.
Sisal rug
A sisal rug is an earth-toned, natural fibre rug that is crafted using sisal plant leaves. The benefit of using this textile in the home is that it brings warmth to a room while being an environmentally friendly and durable material.
Swatch
A swatch is a term used by interior designers to describe a small sample of fabric that is used for a colour or material reference. They are often used by designers to give clients a clear idea of what to expect from a particular material or hue in order to help them choose the right design elements for their homes.
Traditional
Traditional refers to an interior design style that embraces elaborate details, deep colour palettes, and timeless design elements. Those seeking to create a warm yet sophisticated ambiance typically embrace a traditional interior design style for their homes.
Texture
Texture is a description of the tactile quality of surfaces within a room. These might be rough or smooth, soft or hard. The inclusion of different textures is an effective method for adding depth to the visual perception of a room. It also creates a more interesting sensory experience for the inhabitants of the space.
Transitional style
Transitional style is the bringing together of both traditional and contemporary interior design approaches and elements with the goal of creating a timeless aesthetic. A designer seeking to achieve this look might balance masculine with feminine pieces, luxury with comfort items, and antique with modern accessories.
Triadic colours
Triadic colours refer to a colour scheme that is made up of three colours which are found at evenly spaced intervals on the colour wheel. The benefit of using triadic colours for a colour scheme is that they will maintain a visual balance while diversifying your palette.
Trellis
Designed to encourage the attachment and growth of climbing plants, a trellis is a wooden structure made of latticework–overlapping or intersecting pieces–that can be attached to walls or fences or left freestanding.
Tassel
A tassel is a decorative collection of threads or cords which is used in interior design to add a touch of glamour to curtains, upholstery, and other accessories.
Vignette
A vignette describes a group of carefully arranged objects, personal treasures, or decorative items within a room. A vignette is an opportunity for a homeowner to express their personality, display favourite items, and create a focal point or conversation starter in a room.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting refers to wooden panelling that is applied to the lower half of a wall. This classic interior design detail adds texture and visual interest to a room while promoting a charming and cosy feel.
41. Wingback chair
Believed to have originated in England in the 17th Century, the wingback chair is notable for its winged side pieces and high back, designed to protect the sitter from unwelcome drafts. In contemporary usage, the wingback chair is seen to be an iconic yet versatile addition to the modern living room.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap! 47 interior design terms that will help you plan your project, work with industry professionals, get inspired, and achieve the interior design look you desire.
We hope that with this knowledge you’ll feel confident to try out new ideas and bring your vision to life as well as feel intrigued to learn more about the theory, practices, and processes associated with the field of interior design.
If you’d like to learn more about interior design principles and practices or you’d simply like to read about more interior design ideas for your home or business, check out our other interior design articles over on the AND Academy blog!
Here are some additional resources you can refer to:
- Watch this session by Snehanshu Mukherjee, Founding Partner at T.E.A.M, and Mansi Almadi, an Interior Designer at Studio Lotus
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Check out our Interior Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
