Interior Design Terms: Understanding the Lingo

I’m a fairly plain spoken person, wishing to communicate and be understood by my clients on the first go-round, rather than using esoteric industry and design terms. But we all have our trade lingo, and I’m sure I’ve thrown out a few terms during client meetings that left my clients perplexed. Mutually understood reference terms are essential to effective communication so that the “message sent” equals the “message received.”  If you are the client, and you don’t understand an interior design term that someone uses, it’s useful, and entirely appropriate, to ask, “Can you give me a specific example or visual of that style?”

So what are all those interior designers, bloggers, and magazine article writers talking about?  With the goal of more effective communication, here are some interior design definitions that get used all the time:

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• ​Bespoke:   Another name for custom.  The dictionary says bespoke means “of goods, especially clothing, made to order.”  The opposite of “off-the-rack.” 

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• Chinoiserie:  The imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century.  Chinoiserie is very popular today in traditional and transitional interiors. This mirror evokes a Chinese pagoda, for sale through Bellacor Designs.  

• Clean:  A linear and uncluttered style with no frills (Jeff Andrews).
• Collected: Describes a space that is filled with unique pieces acquired over time, creating depth (Jason Arnold).
• Customer’s Own Material (COM):  Describes a situation where a furniture maker or drapery workroom will make a product using fabric supplied by the customer (designer or retail client).   For furniture, acceptance of COM is key because such manufacturers will make a custom product with any material, whether they stock it, or you provide it separately.
• Curated:  Design that incorporates distinct style with a point of view, drawing from history (definition by Grant Gibson).
• Custom:  A unique on-of-a-kind piece that is expressly made for a singular client to that client’s specifications.
• Elevated:  Something that is kicked up a notch or taken to another level in style or design (Jeff Andrews). 
• Edited:  Well thought-out and organized; minimal without feeling cold (Grant Gibson).
• Layered: Building interest in a room through various levels of elements (Karen Vidal).
• Open Concept:  When a home is designed or remodeled so that there are no walls between the kitchen, family room, and casual eating area.   This open concept plan is featured by Timberworx Homes in California.​

• Overdone:  When a trend has been used too much and one feels the trend needs to be in the rear-view mirror.  Can also mean an interior that is overly fussy, whether chock full of too much furniture, accessories, or competing patterns.

• Tailored:  Something with clean lines that holds up to the test of time, not fussy (Grant Gibson).  The Barcelona chair, designed by Mies Van Der Rohe in 1929 is an example of a tailored piece of furniture.  Just as good looking and relevant today as 88 years ago.​

• Timeless:  Design style that stays away from trends that are too “now” to avoid quickly dating (Karen Vidal).
• To-the-Trade:  A term that means products are sold through designers and businesses connected with the design industry, and are not sold directly to the general public.  
• Well-Appointed:  Something of exceptional quality and craftsmanship (Grant Gibson).
• Whimsical:  Elements of design that add a sense of humor, or make someone smile (Grant Gibson).

If you’re a client and you aren’t familiar with an interior design term someone uses when speaking with you don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. In today’s fast-paced world, who has time to get lines crossed? And remember – Photos speak volumes!