Interior Design: A Comprehensive Guide (2025)

Ever stand in your kitchen, living room, or office and think to yourself, “something doesn’t feel right?” Maybe the layout’s awkward, the colors feel off, or no matter how much you organize, the space still stresses you out. 

Then it’s time to think through the fundamentals of interior design! 

Your home should support your life—not just look good in photos. If something feels off, you don’t need to settle. You need design that reflects you, restores you, and works for how you live now. Intentional interior design helps you create a home that supports your daily life, your energy, and your peace of mind. If your home isn’t doing that for you, it’s time for a change.

At Ron Scott Design Build, we don’t just decorate—we design with intention and soul. With decades of hands-on experience and a passion for whole-person wellness, we help you turn your space into a sanctuary. This guide will walk you through how interior design shapes your daily life, and how to choose a designer who truly gets you.

What is Interior Design?

Interior design is about shaping the functionality and aesthetic of a space. Interior design affects how you move, how you breathe, and how you live in your space. Every texture, tone, and layout decision has the power to ground you, calm you, or elevate your daily rhythm. 

At its best, interior design creates a home that supports you. That means thoughtful layouts, calming color palettes, textures that invite touch, and spaces that reflect who you are. Contrary to popular opinion, excellent interior design is not just about following trends, but rather, it’s about designing for your life.

• Your home should feel like it knows you—every room designed to support who you are and how you live.
• Every decision, from the materials you walk on to the light that fills a room, shapes your daily experience. 
• When those elements work together, your home becomes more than a place to live—it becomes your sanctuary.

We believe good design should feel like a breath of fresh air.

Understanding Interior Design: Past, Present, and Purpose

Interior design has always been about more than style. Historically, it was tied to architecture, focusing on structure, proportions, and how spaces functioned for daily life. Over time, it evolved from purely practical layouts to spaces considering beauty, comfort, and emotional well-being.

Today, interior design still respects those roots—but it’s grown to reflect how deeply our environments affect us. It’s not just about “decorating.” It’s about creating spaces that work for your lifestyle, your health, and your peace of mind.

You’ll often hear terms like commercial interior design and residential interior design. While they’re both about intentional space planning, their focus differs. 

Commercial Interior Design

Commercial design balances brand identity, customer experience, and operational flow. Think restaurants, spas, offices, and wellness spaces—all designed to serve people, support businesses, and elevate how those places feel.

Residential Interior Design

Residential or home interior design is much more personal. It’s about aligning your space with how you want to live daily. That includes function—like smart storage and accessible layouts, but also energy, mood, and long-term comfort. Good interior design doesn’t just look good. It feels good to live in.

Interior Designers vs. Interior Decorators

It’s easy to mix up interior designers and interior decorators. After all, both work with the home, and both care about how a space looks and feels. But their roles and how they approach a project are very different. Decorators finish the look. Designers shape how your space actually works for your mind, your body, and your everyday peace.

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

An interior designer starts with the bones of a space. They’re trained to work with floor plans, traffic flow, lighting, and construction elements. Designers think about how you’ll use a space daily, how it feels to move through it, and how every element supports your lifestyle.

They help plan layouts, choose materials, specify finishes, and solve functional problems. Interior designers collaborate with builders, architects, and tradespeople to make sure your home isn’t just pretty, but practical, safe, and supportive.

​​What Does an Interior Decorator Do?

An interior decorator comes into play once the structure is set. They focus on furniture, fabrics, colors, art, and accessories—everything that gives a home its style and personality.

Decorators can refresh a space with new furnishings, help with styling, and pull together a cohesive look. But they don’t typically move walls, adjust lighting plans, or work on the architectural side of things.

Home Furnishing

Decorators specialize in selecting furniture and décor that fit both the space and your personal taste. From sofas to light fixtures, they curate pieces that bring a room together and reflect your lifestyle.

True Color Expert

While designers also work with color, decorators are often called in to fine-tune color palettes for walls, textiles, and accessories. They have a sharp eye for coordinating shades that make a space feel cohesive and inviting.

Color Theory in Interior Design

Designers and decorators often apply principles of color theory to evoke certain moods. Whether it’s calming neutrals for a bedroom or energetic tones for a living space, they understand how color impacts how you feel in your home.

8 Popular Interior Design Styles

Your home should reflect you—not what’s trending in a magazine or what a showroom tells you is “in.” Design styles give you a starting point. They help you understand what speaks to you, how you want your space to feel, and what elements resonate with your daily life. 

Let’s walk through a few of the most popular design styles:

• Modern Design

Modern design focuses on clean lines, minimalism, and functionality. It’s about open spaces, uncluttered surfaces, and letting materials like wood, metal, and glass speak for themselves. A well-designed modern home feels calm, ordered, and intentional.

• Traditional Design

Traditional design is rooted in classic architecture and timeless details. Think crown molding, rich wood tones, and layered textiles. It’s all about creating a sense of warmth, comfort, and elegance, without feeling outdated.

• Transitional Design

If you love both modern and traditional elements, transitional design blends the best of both worlds. It’s clean and simple but softens modern minimalism with classic touches. Transitional spaces feel balanced, approachable, and lived-in.

• Minimalist Design

Minimalist design goes beyond just “less stuff.” It’s about creating space for clarity and calm. Thoughtful storage, neutral palettes, and intentional furniture placement help reduce visual noise and support mental ease.

• Scandinavian Design

Scandinavian style embraces simplicity, functionality, and natural materials. Light woods, cozy textures, and lots of natural light make these spaces feel fresh and welcoming. It’s a style that values well-being and connection to nature.

• Bohemian Design

Bohemian design is eclectic, colorful, and personal. Layered rugs, mixed patterns, and global influences come together to create a home that feels vibrant and collected. It’s relaxed, creative, and unapologetically individual.

• Farmhouse Design

Farmhouse style blends rustic charm with modern comforts. Reclaimed wood, shiplap, and vintage-inspired details give it a cozy, down-to-earth feel. It’s about creating a space that’s both functional and full of character.

• Modern Organic Design

This style focuses on natural textures, earthy tones, and soft, flowing lines. It’s all about bringing the outdoors in and creating a soothing, wellness-focused environment that feels grounded and peaceful.

What to Look for in an Interior Designer

Choosing the right interior designer means finding someone who understands your lifestyle, listens to your needs, and can guide you through a thoughtful process. Here’s what you should pay attention to when making your choice.

Interior Design Education

A solid background in interior design matters. Look for designers with formal training, not just an eye for décor. Education in space planning, materials, lighting, and building codes ensures your home will be both beautiful and functional.

Interior Design Philosophy

Every designer brings a different philosophy to their work. Some focus on aesthetics above all else. Others prioritize wellness, flow, and how a space supports daily living. Make sure their design values match what you’re really looking for in your home.

Work Portfolios

Photos can’t tell the whole story—but they do give you a glimpse into a designer’s style and capabilities. Look for variety. Do they create spaces that feel personal and livable? Or do all their projects look the same? A strong portfolio shows range and attention to the client’s unique needs.

Customer Testimonials

What past clients say matters. Testimonials give you insight into how a designer communicates, solves problems, and delivers on their promises. Look for feedback about the overall experience, not just how pretty the end result was.

The Ron Scott Design Build Difference 

Wellness by Design

The colors you see, the light you live in, and even the materials you touch shape your nervous system. That’s why we use design not just to beautify—but to restore. Every project at Ron Scott Design Build is grounded in energy, intention, and wellness.

What Sets Ron Scott Apart?

• True Color Expert + Certified Medical Intuitive on staff
• Holistic interior design—supporting body, mind, and energy
• A concierge-level team that listens first, then designs
• One-of-a-kind results with timeless, soulful craftsmanship

Aging Gracefully: Design Supports Lifelong Living

For homeowners planning to age in place—or care for aging parents—interior design becomes even more critical. A poorly designed home can limit independence or create safety risks over time. But with thoughtful, proactive planning, design can offer support without sacrificing style.

Here’s how we design with long-term wellness in mind:

• Curbless showers and grab bars that blend in with refined design
• Wider hallways and doorways for improved mobility
• Smart lighting that adjusts with the time of day and reduces fall risks
• Easy-access storage and kitchens that simplify daily tasks
• Ground-floor primary suites for aging in place without future renovations

Our team is CLIPP-certified (Certified Living in Place Professionals). That means we design with empathy, expertise, and the future in mind—so your home remains a sanctuary at every life stage.

Interior Design: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 3-5-7 rule in decorating?

The 3-5-7 rule in decorating is a simple guideline for grouping items. Odd numbers—like 3, 5, or 7—are visually more appealing and feel more natural to the eye. This rule is often used when styling shelves, arranging pillows, or grouping décor pieces to create a balanced, organic look.

What’s your process from first call to final walkthrough?

It starts with a conversation. We listen first, then guide you through a detailed planning and design process that includes budget, materials, and wellness-centered decisions. From there, we manage everything from permitting to finishing touches.

Do you offer design-only services or just full remodels?

Both. Some clients want a comprehensive, design-build experience. Others come to us for layout planning, material selections, or guidance on color theory and finish coordination—even if another team handles construction.

Can you help with aging in place or accessibility design?

Absolutely. We specialize in wellness-driven design, and that includes helping clients plan for comfort, safety, and ease, without sacrificing beauty or personal style.

How far out should I start planning?

For full remodels or custom builds, 6–12 months ahead is ideal. This gives us time to design thoughtfully, make informed decisions, and build a plan that supports your timeline and goals without rushing.

What types of projects do you take on?

We work on full home renovations, custom builds, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and specialty projects like luxury commercial interiors and primary suite additions. If the project calls for intention and clarity, we’re a good fit.

Design a Home That Works for You with Ron Scott Design Build

You deserve a space that doesn’t just look beautiful, but lives beautifully. If your home isn’t supporting your peace, your energy, or your goals, it’s time for a change. Schedule your consultation today.