Basic interior Design Course

Lesson 1 • What Interior Design Is

Defines interior design as a discipline distinct from decoration and architecture. Establishes scope, professional boundaries, and the designer's role in shaping human environments.

Lesson 2 • History and Major Design Styles

Traces design evolution from classical periods to contemporary movements. Connects historical context to recurring aesthetic principles students will apply throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • The Design Process Overview

Maps the end-to-end workflow from client brief to project completion. Provides a repeatable framework that organises all subsequent course content.

Lesson 1 • Selecting and Presenting Colour Palettes

Covers sampling, testing under varied lighting, and assembling client-ready colour boards. Bridges theory to deliverable outputs used in professional practice.

Lesson 2 • Understanding the Colour Wheel

Explains hue, value, saturation, and the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colours. Provides the vocabulary needed for all colour decision-making in design.

Lesson 3 • Psychology of Colour in Spaces

Examines how colour influences perception of size, temperature, and emotion in rooms. Connects psychological research to practical client-facing colour recommendations.

Lesson 1 • Measuring and Documenting Spaces

Teaches field measurement techniques and accurate as-built documentation. Precise measurements prevent costly errors during furniture selection and installation.

Lesson 2 • Furniture Layout Strategies

Covers conversation groupings, focal-point anchoring, and multi-use arrangements. Students produce multiple layout options and select the best solution for each scenario.

Lesson 3 • Space Planning for Specific Rooms

Applies layout principles to living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and home offices. Reinforces chapter skills through room-specific constraints and best practices.

Lesson 4 • Traffic Flow and Circulation

Analyses how people move through spaces and establishes clearance standards for safety and comfort. Students apply circulation principles to optimise room layouts.

Lesson 1 • Layered Lighting Approach

Introduces ambient, task, and accent lighting as complementary layers that together create flexible, functional spaces. Students design layered plans for sample rooms.

Lesson 2 • Artificial Lighting Types and Sources

Covers incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and specialty sources with their colour rendering and efficiency profiles. Provides the technical foundation for informed fixture selection.

Lesson 3 • Lighting Plans and Specifications

Teaches how to draw reflected ceiling plans and write fixture schedules. Connects lighting design decisions to construction documents used by electricians and contractors.

Lesson 1 • Building a Finish Schedule

Teaches how to organise all material selections into a room-by-room finish schedule. This professional document communicates specifications clearly to contractors and clients.

Lesson 2 • Flooring Materials and Selection

Compares hardwood, tile, carpet, vinyl, and concrete for performance and visual impact. Students match flooring to room function, traffic level, and design concept.

Lesson 3 • Countertops, Cabinetry, and Hardware

Evaluates stone, solid surface, laminate, and wood countertops alongside cabinet construction and hardware finishes. Focuses on kitchen and bath applications where material performance is critical.

Lesson 4 • Textiles and Soft Furnishings

Covers fabric construction, fibre content, durability ratings, and pattern matching for upholstery and window treatments. Textiles add tactile richness and acoustic benefit to spaces.

Lesson 1 • Creating an FF&E Schedule

Teaches how to compile furniture, fixture, and equipment data into a structured specification document. The FF&E schedule is the primary procurement and tracking tool for projects.

Lesson 2 • Ergonomics and Human Dimensions

Applies anthropometric data to furniture selection and arrangement for comfort and safety. Correct ergonomic choices reduce client complaints and support long-term satisfaction.

Lesson 3 • Furniture Styles and Construction

Surveys period and contemporary furniture styles and evaluates joinery, frame materials, and cushion construction for quality. Students distinguish durable pieces from inferior alternatives.

Lesson 1 • Mood Boards and Concept Boards

Teaches physical and digital board composition using images, materials, and colour swatches. A strong concept board communicates the design vision before any purchasing decisions are made.

Lesson 2 • Concept Narratives and Design Stories

Develops written and verbal skills for articulating the concept's origin, intent, and emotional goal. A clear narrative aligns the client and design team throughout the project.

Lesson 3 • Inspiration and Research Methods

Explores sourcing inspiration from architecture, art, nature, and travel while avoiding direct copying. Students build a personal research methodology that fuels original concept development.

Lesson 4 • Client Discovery and Programming

Structures the intake process to extract functional requirements, lifestyle preferences, and budget parameters. Thorough programming prevents scope creep and misaligned design solutions.

Lesson 1 • Vendor and Contractor Coordination

Teaches how to source, vet, and communicate with suppliers, trades, and contractors. Effective coordination keeps projects on schedule and maintains design intent through construction.

Lesson 2 • Contracts and Scope of Work

Explains essential contract components including scope, fees, payment terms, and change-order procedures. A well-written contract protects both designer and client throughout the project.

Lesson 3 • Client Handover and Project Close

Covers the walkthrough process, warranty documentation, and post-occupancy follow-up. A professional close builds client loyalty and generates referrals for future projects.

Lesson 4 • Budgeting and Cost Estimation

Covers budget allocation by category, contingency planning, and tracking actual vs. projected costs. Accurate budgeting builds client trust and protects project profitability.