The process of learning to understand and properly apply interior design often takes years of formal study, or on-the-job training. Many people attempt it only to fail miserably. The sad thing is that, unfortunately, many of these people don’t even realize what they are doing. They are just happy to hack away. Understanding the basic principles and elements of interior design is a critical first step to succeeding. Whether you do or not really comes down to who you ask. In most people’s minds, the bottom line is whether you successfully create living spaces that you are comfortable in. Someone else will always have a different idea of what a successful design should look like. There will always be someone who thinks your design doesn’t work. And as in most other endeavors, it is nearly impossible to please everyone.

Interior design is not an exact science, but there are principles to pay attention to along the way. As you learn to apply those principles you’ll notice that you start to look at your rooms differently. You will start to notice symmetry, or the lack thereof. You will find yourself paying closer attention to the details, to how art pieces, sculptures, chairs, vases, bookshelves and other things are located in a space. Your eye will develop a keenness for arrangement, orientation, shape and color.

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