Interior Design Dictionary

Discover the meaning of interior design terms and art styles in this complete A–Z design dictionary. Learn the basics of color, texture, balance, and major design movements - a clear, modern guide to understanding how spaces and art connect.

A
Abstract Art - Art that uses color and form rather than realistic representation.
Accent - A color, object, or detail that stands out in a room.
Ambient Lighting - Soft light that fills a space evenly.
Ancient Style - Designs inspired by early civilizations (Greek, Roman, Egyptian).
Antique - Furniture or objects over 100 years old.
Architrave - Decorative molding around doors or windows.
Art Deco - 1920s-1930s style using bold geometry, chrome, and glamour.
Art Nouveau - Late 1800s-early 1900s organic style with flowing lines and floral motifs.
Assemblage - Artwork made from mixed, found objects.
Asymmetry - Balanced design without mirror-like repetition.

B
Balance - Equal distribution of visual weight in a room.
Baroque - 17th-century art and design known for drama, gold, and grandeur.
Bauhaus - German design school (1919–1933) merging art, craft, and technology.
Beaux-Arts - 19th-century French style emphasizing symmetry and ornamentation.
Bohemian (Boho) - Free-spirited, colorful, pattern-rich aesthetic.
Brutalism - Mid-20th-century architectural style using raw concrete and strong geometry.
Built-In - Custom feature like shelves or cabinets that fit into a wall.

C
Cabinetry - Built storage pieces, often custom-designed.
Canvas - Cloth surface used for painting.
Chiaroscuro - Use of light and shadow for depth in art.
Classical Style - Inspired by Greek and Roman architecture and proportion.
Color Palette - Group of colors selected for a space or artwork.
Commercial Design - Interiors for businesses (offices, restaurants, hotels).
Composition - How elements are arranged in a space or on canvas.
Concept Board - Visual summary of a design’s materials, tone, and style.
Contemporary - Current, evolving modern design.
Contrast - The difference between elements (light/dark, rough/smooth).
Craftsmanship - The quality of making by hand with skill and care.
Cubism - Early 1900s art style breaking forms into geometric shapes (Picasso era).

D
Décor - Objects that enhance beauty or theme.
Decorating - Styling an existing space with furnishings and color.
Deconstruction - Design that reveals structure or challenges traditional form.
Design Elements - Line, shape, color, texture, light, space, and form.
Design Principles - Balance, rhythm, harmony, contrast, scale, proportion, and unity.
Diptych/Triptych - Two or three-panel artworks meant to be displayed together.
Distressed Finish - Furniture finish that looks aged or worn.
Drapery - Fabric panels framing windows.

E
Eclectic - Mixed styles and eras blended cohesively.
Emphasis - Drawing attention to a focal point.
Ergonomics - Designing spaces for comfort and human use.
Etruscan - Ancient Italian influence with earth tones and geometric motifs.
Expressionism - 20th-century art style emphasizing emotion and mood over realism.

F
Faux Finish - A painted surface made to look like another material (e.g., marble).
Feng Shui - Chinese system arranging interiors for harmony and flow.
Fiberglass - Lightweight modern material used in furniture and design.
Focal Point - The area of greatest visual interest.
Form - The shape and mass of an object.
Functionality - The usefulness of a design.
Futurism - Early 20th-century art style celebrating movement and technology.

G
Gallery Wall - Clustered wall display of art or photographs.
Gesso - White primer used to prepare canvas or wood for painting.
Gothic - Medieval style with arches, height, and rich ornamentation.
Gradient - Smooth transition between colors or tones.
Grain - Natural texture or pattern in wood, stone, or fabric.
Graphic Design - The visual communication of ideas using text and imagery.

H
Harmony - Visual unity and coherence.
Hue - Another term for color.
Hardscape - Non-plant elements in landscape design, like stone or paths.
Heritage Style - Design that preserves historical detail.
Hierarchy - Order of visual importance in a composition.

I
Impressionism - 19th-century art style capturing fleeting light and color.
Industrial - Design using raw, exposed materials like brick and steel.
Installation Art - Large-scale immersive artwork or experience.
Interior Design - The art and science of creating functional, beautiful interiors.
Interior Decorating - Aesthetic styling of a completed structure.
Intaglio - Printmaking technique where ink is pressed into carved lines.

J
Japandi - Japanese minimalism blended with Scandinavian simplicity.
Jugendstil - German form of Art Nouveau with natural lines and craftsmanship.

K
Kinetic Art - Art that moves or gives the illusion of motion.
Kilim - Flat-woven rug with geometric patterns.

L
Landscape Design - The design of outdoor spaces and gardens.
Layout - Plan for arranging objects or furniture.
Layering - Using multiple materials and textures for depth.
Lighting - Illumination to create mood, highlight features, and define space.
Line - Visual path or edge that directs attention.
Loft Style - Open-plan living with high ceilings and industrial details.
Louvre - Slatted design allowing airflow or filtered light.

M
Mannerism - 16th-century art style of exaggerated elegance and proportion.
Materiality - The tactile and visual quality of materials.
Mediterranean Style - Inspired by southern Europe - stucco, arches, and natural light.
Mid-Century Modern - 1940s–1960s style defined by clean lines and organic forms.
Minimalism - Simplicity and focus on essential elements.
Molding - Decorative trim where walls meet ceilings or floors.
Mood Board - Collage capturing the feeling and palette of a project.
Mosaic - Art made from small colored tiles or glass.

N
Natural Light - Sunlight affecting color and ambiance.
Neutral Palette - Calming tones of white, beige, gray, or taupe.
Niche - Recessed wall area for display or storage.
Neo-Classical - 18th-century revival of ancient Greek and Roman forms.

O
Oil Painting - Art technique using pigments bound in oil.
Open Concept - Floor plan with few dividing walls.
Organic Modern - Natural materials mixed with simple modern shapes.
Ornamentation - Decorative detail added for beauty.
Ottoman - Upholstered low seat or footrest.

P
Palette Knife - Tool used for applying thick paint.
Paneling - Decorative wood or material applied to walls.
Pattern - A repeated visual motif.
Perspective - Technique that creates depth on a flat surface.
Photorealism - Painting style resembling photography.
Pop Art - 1950s–60s movement inspired by popular culture and advertising.
Postmodernism - Late 20th-century style embracing playfulness and irony.
Proportion - Relationship between object sizes.
Principles of Design - Balance, rhythm, unity, contrast, scale, and harmony.

Q
Quadrant Plan - A symmetrical floor plan divided into four parts.
Quatrefoil - Four-lobed decorative shape used in Gothic and Renaissance design.

R
Renaissance - 14th–17th century revival of classical art and architecture.
Residential Design - Interior design for homes and private spaces.
Rhythm - Visual movement created by repetition.
Rococo - 18th-century ornate French style with curves and pastels.
Rustic - Natural, raw aesthetic using wood and stone.

S
Scale - How big or small elements appear relative to the space.
Scandinavian - Nordic style emphasizing simplicity, light, and comfort.
Shabby Chic - Soft, vintage aesthetic with worn finishes.
Space Planning - Organizing layout for function and flow.
Spatial Awareness - Understanding how people move through a room.
Still Life - Artwork depicting inanimate objects.
Street Art - Urban art created in public spaces.
Surrealism - 20th-century art inspired by dreams and the subconscious.
Symmetry - Equal visual balance on both sides.

T
Texture - Surface quality that adds depth and interest.
Tone - Lightness or darkness of a color.
Transitional - Style blending traditional and modern.
Trompe-l’œil - Painting technique that creates optical illusions of reality.
Tuscan - Warm, earthy Italian countryside style.
Typography - Design of written letters and text layout.

U
Unity - Overall harmony where all parts relate.
Upholstery - Fabric or leather covering furniture.
Urban Design - Planning and shaping of city environments.

V
Veneer - Thin layer of fine wood applied to furniture.
Vermeer Lighting - Warm, directional natural light in painting or photography.
Victorian Style - 19th-century design with ornate detail and rich color.
Visual Hierarchy - The order in which the eye notices elements.
Visual Weight - Perceived heaviness or lightness of a design element.
Vintage - Items from a past era (20–99 years old).

W
Wallpaper - Decorative wall covering.
Wainscoting - Wooden paneling covering lower walls.
Wayfinding - Design that helps people navigate through spaces.
Weaving - Interlacing fibers to make fabric or textiles.
Woodgrain - Pattern created by the natural fibers in wood.
Wrightian - Referring to Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architectural style.

X
X-Base Table - Furniture supported by crisscrossed legs.
Xylography - The art of woodblock printing.

Y
Yarn Dye - Fabric dyed before weaving for lasting color.
Yellow Ochre - Natural earth pigment often used in traditional art and decor.

Z
Zen - Calm, balanced design inspired by Japanese simplicity.
Zone - Functional area in a space (e.g., dining zone, lounge zone).