Whether you are renovating your existing or new home, clearly articulating your ideas and preferences makes the process smooth and stress-free. Here are key interior design terms that’ll empower you to communicate with your interior designer with ease.
Whether you are renovating your existing or new home, clearly articulating your ideas and preferences makes the process smooth and stress-free. Here are key interior design terms that’ll empower you to communicate with your interior designer with ease.
AMBIENCE
The ambience or atmosphere is the mood of your home and its spaces. Many elements come together to create the ambience, including the colours, textures, volume of furniture and furnishings, as well as lighting, scents and sounds.
BEAM
A beam refers to the horizontal structure that transfers the load onto the vertical column. It is the structure that you observe on the ceiling.
COLUMN
Also an architectural element, this vertical structure can either be load-bearing or decorative.
DESIGN CONCEPT
The core idea of how your home looks and feels. It encompasses the style, colour palette and ambience, as well as how the space is planned.
MODERN DESIGN REFERS TO DESIGN ARISING FROM THE EARLY TO MID-20TH CENTURY, WITH THE FOCUS ON SIMPLE FORM AND FUNCTION. CONTEMPORARY DESIGN IS ALWAYS EVOLVING TO REFLECT WHAT’S POPULAR CURRENTLY.
– JOEY KHU, FOUNDER OF JOEY KHU INTERIOR DESIGN
ELEVATION
Typically for landed properties, it illustrates the heights, materials and other details as seen by a person looking at the property straight ahead, instead of from above.
FLOOR PLAN
This is provided as a view of your home from above, and shows the walls that can or can’t be hacked away. It also indicates wall length, location of doors and windows, type of doors and windows, and other additions.
GROUT LINES
These are the gaps between tiles. The gaps are filled with a material that creates a waterproof seal.
HERRINGBONE
A classic pattern consisting of rectangular tiles to form a broken zig-zag design. Not to be confused with chevron, which produces a smooth zig-zag pattern.
INLAY
A material such as stainless steel that is inserted into the surface of a piece of furniture or custom feature wall to create decorative patterns.
JUXTAPOSE
When different materials, shapes, textures and patterns are combined to enhance their unique properties.
SOME HOMEOWNERS WANT TO CHANGE THE WINDOWS OR ADD EXTERIOR ROLLER BLINDS. WE NEED TO EXPLAIN THAT FOR MOST CONDO AND TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS, THERE ARE STRICT GUIDELINES AGAINST CHANGES THAT WILL AFFECT THE FACADE.
– TERRI TAN, DESIGN DIRECTOR OF DESIGNWORX INTERIOR CONSULTANT
KILIM
A flat woven tapestry rug or carpet made in Central Asia and surrounding countries.
LOAD-BEARING WALL
Also called a structural wall, it supports the building elements. These cannot be removed.
MODULAR
In reference to furniture, it means that parts of one item – for instance, a sofa – can be combined or separated to cater to the space.
NICHE
A recess in the wall, which can function as a display area or storage shelf, such as in the bathroom.
OVERLAY
Instead of hacking a surface and fitting in a new material, overlaying is about layering on new finishes, such as tiles, vinyl or laminate flooring, over existing flooring.
PROPORTION
Proportion refers to the ratio of an item and how it relates to other things in the space. Often used with the word scale, which means how an item relates to the size of the room, another object or even you.
QUAINT
A charming look, due to its unusual design and slightly old-fashioned atmosphere. Usually used for describing eclectic, cottage-inspired and vintage-style interiors.
RENDERING
A three-dimensional rendering is a realistic image of the eventual look of your home. It is produced after an interior designer’s interview with a client, to understand the needs and wants in the function and style of a home. With the details reflected in the rendering, this visual representation helps to ensure that all client-designer communications are clear.
SPACE PLANNING
A plan that defines the areas within your home and how you would use them. This process begins with an in-depth analysis of your lifestyle, your plans for the future and how you would move about your home. The placement of your furniture is also included in the process at a later stage.
LIKE CABLES FOR POWER SOCKETS, LIGHTING AND SO ON, PIPES ARE A NECESSARY PART OF THE HOME, BUT NOT ALL HDB HOMES ALLOW THEM TO BE CONCEALED. OLDER FLATS REQUIRE THESE PIPES TO BE EXPOSED.
– MARC WONG, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF LINEAR SPACE CONCEPTS
TOP-GRAIN LEATHER
The uppermost layer of an animal’s hide, which is the most ideal for use as upholstery in leather furniture.
UPHOLSTERY
Refers to the fabric or leather covers, as well as the inner fillers, of furniture pieces.
VENEER
A thin layer made of wood, brick or stone that is mounted onto a less expensive or more durable building material. Unlike veneer, laminate is a more affordable option that mimics real wood, brick and stone. Laminate is made of a printed decorative surface and materials like paper and resin.
WORK TRIANGLE
Typically used in the kitchen to describe the placement of the refrigerator, sink and stove for a functional and efficient kitchen.
X-CHAIR
A type of foldable chair with criss-cross legs. It is also referred to as a director’s chair, as most production companies use such chairs on set. In the home, they are preferred for outdoor use, and for optimal storage when not in use.
YORKSHIRE CHAIR
Commonly used as dining chairs, these seating appointments have stocky legs and are usually made from wood. A common form of a Yorkshire chair is the traditional Western rocking chair.
YORKSHIRE CHAIR
Commonly used as dining chairs, these seating appointments have stocky legs and are usually made from wood. A common form of a Yorkshire chair is the traditional Western rocking chair.
