Last week we covered what happens at that first consultation between the Interior Designer and the client, establishing the Brief. We also looked at a quick summary of the next stage in the design process, the Interior Design Concept, and here we’ll go into much more detail.
What is an Interior Design Concept and why is it important?
Good Interior Design begins with a good design concept, which comes after understanding the client’s style preferences and vision for their project. The concept is the idea behind a design and it becomes the framework for all the design decisions. At I For Style we like to use a word or a phrase that encapsulates the concept so we have a reference point to keep coming back to with all the various decisions that need to be made along the way. But more on that a little later.
The concept is explored, developed and refined by the Interior Designer and is then presented to the client verbally and visually. The visual is often in the form of an interior design ‘concept board’, which is sometimes also called a ‘mood board’. It consists of a collection of images and sometimes words that convey the style, look and feel and is created to spark imagination of what’s possible for a space or project. It might include paint colours, furniture items, themes and other elements to convey the design concept.
For example, ‘Jungle Fever’ is the phrase behind the concept for this particular project for a bedroom makeover in Castle Hill. It captures the heady combination of raw grace and power as displayed by the leopard in its natural habitat with the opulence of luxurious furniture and furnishings.
You can think of the Interior Design Concept as a starting point of any interior design project after the initial client brief meeting. When the client views the concept board and the concept is explained clearly by the Designer they will be able to understand the overall look and feel of the room. It doesn’t show the finalised furniture, finishes or accessories yet, as the Interior Designer will research these areas more as part of the Process Design Development. The Interior Design Concept is showing the project direction, but not the exact path that will be taken.
Like to learn more about the design process? Check out the rest of our blogs on this series…
https://iforstyle.com.au/the-design-process-design-development/
https://iforstyle.com.au/the-design-process-client-representative/
https://iforstyle.com.au/the-design-process-finalised-plans/
If you need support with your next design project, contact us to book in an initial Design Brief session as the first step of the Design Process, or visit us on Facebook or Instagram. We can then develop the perfect design concept to suit you, your style and your space.