Peter Steven 
Interior design is the science and art of improving the interior of an existing building to bring about a more aesthetically pleasing and healthier environment for those using the room. An interior designer is a person who plans, studies, coordinates, and supervises these improvement projects. The design process incorporates the process of research, which includes surveying the area in question, looking at current building codes, coming up with ideas, and drawing up plans to implement the ideas into the interior and exterior design of the structure. An interior designer’s job involves coming up with a plan that will be functional but also appealing to the eye. In essence, they are the ‘go to’ person when it comes to designing a new space for any business, apartment, or home.
The modern interior designer has developed their own style, influenced by many different styles and periods in history. Some designers are followers of the Classical movement, creating beautiful and sophisticated Georgian houses in England, or the Baroque, which focused on natural materials and light. Still others create contemporary homes, influenced by art movements such as futurism and avant-garde modernism.
The concepts that form the basis of modern interior design are derived from a combination of different disciplines, including architecture, psychology, mathematics, and interior layout. Modernists architecture concentrates on maximizing the space that can be utilized while providing the greatest visual impact. This type of design is characterized by sharp angles and sharp geometric lines, often using simple colors and textures, and flat surfaces. Futurists, on the other hand, focus on incorporating elements from the past to create a unique future.
One of the biggest influences of modern home interiors is the discipline of ergonomics. The design principles of this discipline attempt to improve the comfort level of those who use interior spaces. It considers not only the arrangement of furniture in a room, but the placement of furniture within the room as well, including how they are positioned relative to one another, as well as with the floor and ceiling. Many modern homes have furniture that was once considered ill-constructed, dangerous, or simply uncomfortable. By using the latest manufacturing technology and processes, ergonomically designed furnishings can provide the comfort and convenience that people require while still maintaining high quality and safety standards.
In addition to the discipline of architecture, another important influence of modern homes is the field of painting and wall decoration. Since the advent of flat panel televisions, interior design has had an increasing role in entertainment and relaxation. While homeowners may have traditionally focused more on colors and textures to enhance the overall look and feel of the rooms, today’s modern homes take the opposite approach, emphasizing horizontal lines and clean, crisp lines. These lines, along with sleek, simple furniture pieces, give rooms a sense of openness and spaciousness. Horizontal lines are also helpful when considering the placement of windows and doors, since they help create visually open spaces. However, while a minimalist approach may be very effective in rooms like these, it can become less attractive when mixed in rooms that are filled with bulky, cluttered modern furnishings.
Modern interior design can be further subdivided into five main styles, which are distinctly different from one another. The most popular styles are contemporary, transitional, casual, country, and traditional. Within each style, there are also sub-styles, such as French provincial, Spanish Colonial, or contemporary Miami. Although there are many similarities between many of the styles, each one exhibits a unique flair and style that set it apart from the others. By understanding the various styles and incorporating them within your own home decor, you can create a room that is uniquely yours.