Many of us have no idea where to start when it comes to remodeling our homes or businesses. We might be able to name different colors and shapes, but knowing interior design concepts in order to determine which shapes and colors would look best together escapes you. But whether or not you leave your remodel or rebuild up to the professionals, some basic principles of interior design are always good to know.

Interior Design Concepts

Almost all principles of design for interiors are based on common sense without regard to dogmatic rules. It is more important for a building or space to be designed for its purpose than to follow strict rules.

The scale and proportion of any interior must always relate to the architecture of the building, business, or other space, and most importantly, the human body. Interior design details of pattern, texture, and material should correlate with the needs of the people who will use the space.

Visually, any interior that has too many different patterns, too many textures, and too many repetitive features of any kind will appear overpowering, overly busy, overdesigned, and confusing. A designer often attempts to have a dominant theme or idea, be it color, form, texture, or some rhythmic pattern.

Also, it is important that the various spaces be designed in a sequential relationship to each other, not only in terms of planning but also in terms of the visual effect. A successful interior should be cohesive within each area and cohesive overall. It must, above all, relate to the building and to the architectural concept.

Interior Design Principles

Three interior design principles are function, mood and personality.

• Function

Function is based on the focal point, the furniture, the lighting and the furniture arrangement.

• Mood

The mood or feeling of a room is created by your choice of colors, the style of furnishings, the amount of texture and pattern you choose and your accessories. The factors you need to address when setting the mood are the inspiration piece, theme, color cues, patterns, texture and furniture.

Interior design work by Regina Garcia, an alumna of The Art Institutes – which has locations throughout the country including one in Phoenix – has been featured nationally.

In a post on the institute’s website, Garcia says the best part of her job is the “ability to transform and create beautiful spaces and to create fabulous lifestyles.”

She says she finds creative inspiration through foreign travel and historic architecture.

“I am a believer in spaces with texture and character, so I look for inspiration in all things nature, people and architecture,” she says.

• Personality

Your personality should reflect in your home. Be creative with accessories or special elements around the home.

Interior Design Trends

Designers would couple interior design concepts with trends for the most ideal look for a business or home.

Some of the interior design trends for 2016 include:

• Bringing Nature Inside

Plants, flowers, rocks, seashells, sand and other items used for outdoor landscaping or naturally found outside add beauty and color to the inside of your building.

You also can bring the outside in by taking advantage of scents such as woodsy incense, floral potpourri, and water through features such as a fountain.

• The Kitchen as the Meeting Place

From cooking to conversation to poker games, people spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Your interior design principles in this case should incorporate the needs of such activities, such as the most ideal place to charge a computer or store those poker chips.

• Environmentally Friendly

Modifying existing space or updating items, such as better insulation for windows, could help the environment and save energy consumption and costs.

Other environmentally friendly interior design elements for your home or business include letting in natural sunlight, such as by adding skylights, in order to reduce energy consumption; use organic and natural materials in your design; use energy-efficient lighting and windows; choose less harmful paints; and use natural wood for floors and furniture.

• Individuality

Infusing your artwork or other items that highlight your character makes your home or business your own.

In Arizona, for example, consider touting your pride in your community by bringing southwest interior design concepts into your home.