• The 3 Types of Style That Influence Interior Design Choices                    

The purpose of this course is to equip you with the skills and knowledge to identify and work with different types of style that impact interior decorating design. By the end of this module, you will understand what style is, be able to identify your own style, identify and work with a client’s style, and identify and work with architectural styles.

• Art Deco Style         

Study the characteristics of Art Deco Architecture and Interiors in order to recognise them. Art Deco tends to be bold and flashy but elegant with geometric lines and patterns.

• Victorian Style                      

Victorian Architecture and Interiors appear across the globe and are very common. They tend to use luxurious, rich fabrics and complicated patterns.

• Scandinavian Style              

You don’t tend to see a lot of Scandinavian architecture, but the interior styling is very popular. Colours tend to be soft and calm, with simple lines and little pattern.

• Modern Style           

This style is very sleek and functional, study the characteristics of Modern Architecture and Interiors.

• Contemporary Style            

Learn about the differences and similarities between Modern and Contemporary styles.

• Eclectic Style            

Eclectic is a very popular adjective used in the interior design world, meaning a décor style that comprises quite diverse elements.

• Italian Style              

The Italian style is quite old fashioned, luxurious, elegant, and very high quality. The use of natural stone is common like Italian marble.

• French Style             

A key characteristic of French style architecture is very tall, curved glass windows. It tends to look casual and elegant; it looks expensive but does not try too hard to impress.

• Industrial Style                     

This is a popular style around the world, and it is a very warm and versatile type of environment.

• Country Style: Architectural & Interiors                      

This style remains popular around the world and uses natural materials like wood or stone.

• African Style

African styles are a mix of different types of styles with often some eclectic and earthy influences.

• Conclusion      

Now that you have learned all of the characteristics of each style, you will learn why styles can often overlap.

• Introduction to Design Principles & The Design Recipe          

In this module, you will get to know the Elements of Design, which is the tools to make art, and the Principles of Design, which is how to use the tools to make art.

• Design Element: Line          

When discussing line, we mean the lines created by furniture, furnishings and architecture in the space.

• Design Element: Shape                    

Shape is defined as the outline of an object i.e., structures or shapes made by connecting lines to enclose a shape.

• Design Element: Form                      

Form, unlike shape, which is 2D, has volume and mass and is 3-dimensional. It often has shadows on its surfaces with faces and sides.

• Design Element: Colour                   

The use of Colour in interior design is one of the most psychologically important aspects and is the key to successful spaces. Colour can completely change the character and feeling of a space.

• Design Element: Texture                 

Texture is the surface quality or appearance of an object. It is used to enhance the features of a room or add dimension.

• Design Element: Space                     

Space is the area found within a room – this element can be manipulated to make rooms appear more spacious, cosy, or airy.

• Design Element: Value                     

Value is sometimes referred to as tone, it is the relative lightness and darkness of an object and has nothing to do with the price of an item.

• Design Principle: Pattern                 

Now we will look at Design Principles. Pattern creates interest and can be used for visual impact or to create a certain design style or theme.

• Design Principle: Contrast               

It is important to use contrast to help create a focal point and prevent interiors from becoming too uniform or too neutral.

• Design Principle: Emphasis/Focal Point                      

Every well-designed space needs a focal point. A space where everything gets equal importance will seem either scattered or boring.

• Design Principle: Balance                

Balance in interior design does not necessarily mean symmetry in design. Balance creates a feeling of equilibrium or stability.

• Design Principle: Scale/Proportion        

Proportion is the ratio between the size of one part to the whole. Scale is how the size of one object relates to another or to the space in which it is placed.

• Design Principle: Rhythm/Movement                      

Rhythm is all about creating patterns of repetition and contrast to create visual interest. The purpose is to move your eye around the room.

• Design Principle: Unity/Harmony         

Harmony is the end result when all the design elements and principles interrelate and work together to enhance the visual appeal of a space and to create a unified message.

• Conclusion                

By creating a feeling of balance and harmony – using interior design elements and principles effectively – you can affect a user’s perception of an interiors space, giving them a positive, comfortable feeling or creating a desired mood and atmosphere.

• The Impact of Fashion and Colour Trends                      

There has always been a strong link between interior design and fashion, not only do they share the same aesthetic concepts such as space, shape, and form but they are also an accessible, artistic expression for the masses.

• Colour Terminology             

There can be quite a lot of confusing terms around colour, such as hues, tints, tones, shades, saturation, and value.

• Colour Basics and Neutral Colours        

We start colour basics by defining colours on the colour wheel into primary, secondary and tertiary colours.

• Warm vs. Cool Colours                     

When working with warm colours it is important to note that they have a physical impact: raising adrenaline and breathing rate, increase blood pressure and body temperature, thus making you feel warmer. Cool colours often have the opposite effect such as relaxing muscles.

• Colour Schemes                    

Colour schemes are how colours are paired or put together. There are seven types of colour schemes: Monochromatic, Adjacent, Triadic, Complimentary, Split Complimentary, Tetrad and Square.  

• Colour Ratios and Applications              

Learn how to apply colours with colour ratios such as the 60/30/10 principle. This is where 60% of the colours used are one colour and these will be found on the walls, floors, and ceilings. 30% will be the secondary colour, found on all furniture and rugs. 10% will be the accent colour used on accessories such as cushions and lamps.  

• Using Colour to Trick the Eye         

Learn some tricks on how to use colour to trick the eye. You can widen rooms, lengthen them, make them appear smaller or larger, make walls advance or recede, and cool them down or warm them up.

• Conclusion                

In this course, we discovered that Colour is the most important design element of them all. Colour makes or breaks an interior space.

• Understand why space planning is important to successful interiors          

Space planning ensures the contents are suitable for the space and creates a natural flow. Think about how you want a room to feel, either open and airy or safe and cosy.

• Efficient vs. Poorly Planned Spaces            

Good space planning has a lot of benefits, the room “breathes”, is functional, has a good flow, is user friendly, it creates the desired mood, and your users tend to be happier and more efficient.  

• Types of Building and Space Plans        

Space is 3-dimensional: You get floor space expressed as a floor plan, wall/ceiling spaces are expressed as an elevation, and sightlines are how the space looks from the entrances.

• Open and Closed Planned Spaces         

Open floor plans have become the dominant choice among individuals building new homes. Open floor plans can make an otherwise small home seem larger.

• Space Planning and The Design Principles                      

Irrespective of budget, to make the most of any space, you need to understand these basic design principles: Scale and Proportion, Lines, Balance, Rhythm, and Emphasis/Focal Point.

• Tips and Tricks to Space Planning         

To make spaces look bigger, try painting or wallpapering the ceiling to make the room look taller. Just avoid making the ceiling a dark colour.

• Conclusion                

Before you start planning your spaces there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself. Such as What are the primary and secondary functions of the room?

• Introduction To Textiles & Fabrics        

Textiles span over 8500 years of human history and are the fabric of society, giving us shelter, comfort, warmth, security, status & expression.

• Natural Fibres and Textiles             

There are two types of fibres that make up a textile, there are natural fibres or synthetic fibres. You will learn about different types of fibres, the pros and cons of each one and where to use them.

• Synthetic Fibres and Textiles         

Synthetic fibres are manufactured fibres produced from manmade substances as a result of industrial processing. You will learn about Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic, Acetate, Viscose and Olefin fibres.  

• Fabric Know Hows               

Fabric comes in different size width, generally, you will get a single-width fabric which is approx. 140cm wide, or a double-width fabric which is approx. 280cm wide.

• End-Use of Textiles and Fabrics             

In this section, you will look at the end-use of fabrics, and the way that we can use them is Upholstery, for Window Treatments, for Lining, and also the application on Walls.

• Selecting and Recommending Textiles and Fabrics               

In this final section, you will learn some hints and tips when selecting, buying and presenting fabrics.

• Conclusion                

In this module, we have learnt about all the various types of textiles and their uses. With Design Principles and Elements, textiles are a great way to bring texture and colour into an interior space.

• Introduction to Styling and Staging            

Most of us have a general idea when it comes to the basics of styling and décor: furniture you love combined with details that inspire. Learn how to decorate and design spaces like a pro with this module.

• Styling Coffee Tables          

Flat surfaces in the home are begging to be decorated, and the coffee table is a great place to play and experiment with various décor items and colours.

• Styling Side Tables               

Use the design principles of repetition to bring together the décor on your side tables with the décor in the room.

• Styling Servers and Consoles          

There is a simple recipe for styling servers and consoles, some ingredients are trays, interesting lighting, something round like a vase, textured baskets, grounding art, height to balance, and stacking objects.

• Styling Dining Room Tables            

A dining table is a far more functional space which means that it is often in use and cannot have too many items on it. So, there is a couple of options to keep it simple, making sure that you can move things easily, while still maintaining an element of styling on it.

• Styling Bookcases and Display Cases          

There is something called the ABCs of arranging bookcases, these are Accents, Books and Collections. Bookcases can be styled according to the “triangle principle” using these three types of collectables.

• Styling with Scatter Cushions and Throw Pillows         

Interior styling relies on cushions, they are like the “red lipstick of the lounge”. They are also incredibly versatile and are the easiest ways to get the satisfaction of re-decorating without the hassle.

• Styling Seating and Sleeping Areas        

When it comes to sofa styling there is a couple of things that you need to think about, the interior style, the level of comfort, and does your client prefer more or less scatter cushions?

• Styling Walls with Art and Framing            

You will learn about styling your walls with art and framing. Art is an integral part of décor but if you are working with clients, beware of choosing art only because it appeals to you – it needs to be appropriate for the client’s personal and architectural style.

• Conclusion                

Styling and Staging comes down to the details. Creating a perfectly-styled home does not happen overnight. It takes time, and that is OK! Be patient. Learn some things along the way. Change things around. Experiment and have fun with it.