Language Terms

For Interior Design Students & Beginners

Created by Livin By Design

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Introduction

Interior design is more than selecting beautiful furniture and colours. It is about creating spaces that are functional, cohesive, and designed with purpose. As you begin your interior design journey, you will quickly notice that designers, suppliers, and trades all speak their own design language.

Understanding these common terms will help you communicate more confidently with clients, read design plans more effectively, build stronger concepts, and develop your own design style.

This guide has been created to give beginner interior designers and design students an easy to understand glossary of common interior design language used throughout the industry.

Whether you are studying interior design, designing your own home, or simply wanting to understand the terminology, this guide is designed to become your go to reference.

A

Accent Colour

A feature colour used to add personality, contrast, or visual interest to a space. Accent colours are often introduced through artwork, cushions, furniture, or décor.

Ambient Lighting

The main source of general lighting within a room that creates overall illumination and comfort.

Asymmetrical Balance

A design technique where visual balance is created using different objects, colours, or forms rather than matching elements.

B

Balance

Creating a sense of visual stability and harmony within a room through the placement of furniture, colour, shape, and proportion.

Backsplash

The protective wall surface located behind kitchen benches, vanities, or wet areas.

Built In Joinery

Custom cabinetry or storage designed specifically for a space and permanently installed.

C

Cabinetry

Built in storage units including cupboards, wardrobes, vanities, and kitchen joinery.

Colour Palette

The collection of colours selected to create the overall mood and aesthetic of a space.

Concept Board

A visual presentation combining inspiration, materials, colours, textures, and ideas to communicate a design direction.

Contrast

Using differences in colour, texture, scale, or materials to create visual interest.

Contemporary Design

A current and evolving design style that reflects modern living and trends.

D

Décor

Decorative finishing elements including cushions, artwork, rugs, accessories, and styling pieces.

Design Brief

A document outlining the client's needs, goals, lifestyle, and project requirements.

Design Concept

The overall vision and creative direction for the project.

Dimension Plan

A scaled drawing that shows measurements and sizing within a space.

E

Elevation

A flat drawing showing one side or wall of a room.

Emphasis

A design element intentionally used to draw attention.

Earthy Tones

Warm natural colours inspired by stone, timber, sand, clay, and landscapes.

F

Feature Wall

A wall designed to become a focal point through colour, texture, material, lighting, or detailing.

FF&E

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment selected for a project.

Floor Plan

A top down drawing showing room layouts and furniture positioning.

Focal Point

The first feature your eye is naturally drawn to when entering a room.

G

Grain

The visible natural pattern found in timber or stone materials.

H

Hard Finishes

Permanent materials such as flooring, tiles, stone, cabinetry, and wall finishes.

Harmony

When all design elements work together cohesively.

I

Interior Styling

The process of completing a space with furniture, artwork, décor, and accessories.

Island Bench

A freestanding kitchen bench designed for functionality and social connection.

J

Joinery

Custom made timber work including cabinetry, wardrobes, shelving, and storage solutions.

L

Layering

Combining materials, textures, lighting, colours, and décor to create depth and interest.

Layout Planning

Planning furniture placement and circulation throughout a space.

Lighting Plan

A detailed drawing showing placement and types of lighting.

Luxe

A refined, premium, and elevated design style.

M

Material Palette

The collection of finishes and materials selected for a project.

Minimalist

A simple, uncluttered design style focused on functionality and intentional choices.

Mood Lighting

Lighting designed to create atmosphere.

Moodboard

A visual collection of inspiration showing the design direction.

N

Negative Space

The intentional empty space surrounding furniture and objects.

Natural Light

Sunlight entering a room through windows, skylights, or doors.

O

Open Plan

A layout where multiple living areas flow together without full separation.

Organic Shapes

Soft, curved forms inspired by nature.

P

Pendant Light

A decorative light suspended from the ceiling.

Proportion

Ensuring furniture and objects suit the scale of the room.

Primary Bedroom

The main bedroom within a home.

Palette

A collection of colours selected to work together.

R

Render

A realistic computer generated image showing the proposed design outcome.

Rhythm

Repeating colours, materials, patterns, or forms throughout a space.

S

Scale

The relationship between the size of objects and the surrounding space.

Scope of Works

A document outlining exactly what work will be completed.

Soft Furnishings

Items such as curtains, cushions, bedding, rugs, and upholstery.

Spatial Planning

Planning how people move and function within a space.

Statement Piece

A standout item designed to attract attention.

Styling

The finishing touches that bring personality and warmth to a room.

Symmetry

Creating balance through similar placement and proportion.

T

Texture

The visual or physical surface quality of materials.

Tonal Palette

Multiple shades and variations of the same colour family.

Task Lighting

Lighting designed for activities such as cooking, reading, or working.

U

Unity

When all design elements feel connected and intentional.

Undertone

The hidden colour influence within paint, materials, and finishes.

V

Visual Weight

How visually heavy or dominant an object appears.

Veneer

A thin decorative timber finish applied to cabinetry or furniture.

Void

An open architectural space between levels.

W

Warm Minimalism

A minimalist style that feels inviting through warmth, texture, and natural finishes.

Wall Panelling

Decorative wall detailing using mouldings, timber, or panelling systems.

Wet Areas

Rooms exposed to moisture such as bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens.

Window Furnishings

Curtains, sheers, blinds, and shutters.

Z

Zoning

Creating distinct areas within one space to improve functionality and flow.

Final Thoughts

Learning the language of interior design is one of the first steps in becoming confident as a designer. The more terminology you understand, the easier it becomes to communicate your ideas, present concepts professionally, and bring beautiful spaces to life.

Design is not simply about making a room look good. Great design creates spaces that support how people live, feel, and connect.

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