American Academy of Interior Design Blog

Idea generation techniques

Tue, 10 May 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Whether it is a big project or a small personal task, generating ideas and keeping track of them is a helpful way to achieve your vision. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of an effective creative process.

8 Principles for finalising your design scheme

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0100

When finalizing your design scheme it is important to take certain aspects of the design into consideration. Understanding your client’s style will determine the choices, options and potential alternatives for the design scheme.

Most Important Interior Design Moments from the Last 100 Years

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Meet the Tutor: Rute Loureiro

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The Paperwork Behind Interior Design Projects

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Expect more paperwork moving forward. With the pandemic highlighting the importance of interior designers, you’re likely to sign up more clients. Homeowners are increasingly looking to improve their homes where they spend most of their time working. And since you’re likely working from home yourself, your workdays are probably loaded. There’s a good chance you’re doing more virtual consultations, sending emails, and taking calls instead of having face-to-face meetings with clients.

10 Interior Design Ideas for Your Bedroom

Mon, 17 May 2021 00:00:00 +0100

A bedroom is more than just a space with a bed to crash on at the end of a hectic day. A warm, welcoming bedroom can help you deal with work stress, allow you to unwind, and raise your spirits.

How to design an open-plan space

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Open-plan living is growing in popularity, and whether it’s in the home or the workplace, there are many benefits to having an open-plan space. In the home, an open-plan living area can bring the family together, encourage conversation and build strong relationships, and be an ideal space for entertaining guests.

Running your own business: Lana Dullaghan Designs

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

We caught up with graduate, Svitlana Dullaghan, to find out how she started her own business, why she chose to study interior design, and how the course has benefitted her.

Interior Design: A Career Choice for Me?

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

If you’ve got a strong passion for DIY and interiors, pursuing a career in interior design could be something you’re keen to learn more about. Today we’ll be digging deeper into what life as an interior designer looks like so you can decide if it’s a career for you or if you rather want to opt for something that needs less education like for example working in home staging.

The Top Interior Design Trends for 2021

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

It has been a long year… 2020 saw its fair share of home trends, thanks to a surplus of time spent pondering our interiors.

Color of the Year for 2021

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Every year, experts reveal the colors that will influence the following year, after much thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. Here's a round-up of the colors chosen for 2021 by some of the leading influencers in the world of color: Pantone, Benjamin Moore, and Akzo Nobel (Dulux).

Mindful Interior Design: how to turn your home into a sanctuary

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

With recent scientific developments now proving what ancient cultures have known for years - that how you organise your living space, and what you do in it, can deeply impact your mood and wellbeing – seasonal mindfulness is an emerging practice. This can help you to keep feeling positive and balanced, whatever is happening in your external environment.

6 Best Window Treatments Ideas

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Windows are an important part of any interior space, letting light and airflow into the room, as well as giving you a view of the world outside. The right window treatments have the power to make a room feel finished, as well as serving the practical purpose of enabling you to control the amount of light coming in during the day, and providing privacy when they are fully closed. Here are some different window treatment ideas for your next project:

How to decorate with mirrors

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Mirrors can be used to enhance almost any space. As well as being a practical part of everyday life, they are also an important style feature to include when decorating. However, decorating with mirrors must be done right, and there are a few rules you should follow to maximise the impact mirrors will have in your space.

Katharine Foley: Working Virtually on Interior Design Projects

Sun, 10 May 2020 00:00:00 +0100

We caught up with one of our interior design graduates, Katharine Foley, to find out why she chose to study interior design and how the course has benefitted her. Katharine also shared with us why she decided to develop a virtual business model and how she has been working on design projects virtually for the past 4 years.

Home office design: ideas for your working space at home

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0100

There’s a sense of freedom and relaxation that comes with working inside your house to work in a comfortable environment. However, it’s better to have a designated office space to help separate personal and work life. It also makes it easier to stay focused and productive during work hours.

The Benefits of Online Learning

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

When we make the decision to find and study an online course, the workload can be troubling. Individuals who haven’t studied online courses before may be baffled by how to complete their tasks and stay on-target. Though it may seem unusual to you, many students thrive when they can study in their own time and complete work from home.

The Top 4 Interior Design Trends of 2020

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Each new year brings with it new styles and trends. Sometimes the trends we see are brand new, but more often than not we see the return of much loved styles from the past that are back with new additions and twists to make them better than ever.

4 Tips to Improve Your Drawings

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Visual communication is a key aspect of interior design - it helps you convey your design concepts and ideas. But you don’t have to be proficient at drawing, or have any experience of drawing at all when you are starting out in interior design. What you do need is the desire to learn and develop your drawing skills, and to consistently push yourself to get better.

How to Start a Design Scheme

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Starting a design scheme can be daunting. What will the client expect? What styles do they prefer? Here are few points to consider to help keep you on track.

Meet our Programme Leader, Colette O’Sullivan

Mon, 27 May 2019 00:00:00 +0100

In this blog, Colette O’Sullivan tells us what got her interested in design, why she enjoys working with students and what makes a good interior designer.

Olive Wilson: Becoming an Interior Designer

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0100

We caught up with one of our interior design graduates, Olive Wilson, to find out why she chose to study interior design and how the course has benefitted her.

The Difference Between Inspiration Boards and Sample Boards

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Students often ask me about the difference between an inspiration board and a sample board. This is understandable given that, as a beginner, the terms are unfamiliar and quite similar. However, the difference is quite key as they each play a role at different stages of the design cycle. Both boards are essential in communicating design information to the client.

Interior Design Tips for Small Spaces

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Designing for a small space presents its own particular challenges. With a few clever ideas you can create something interesting that isn’t too expensive.

What’s Your Colour of the Year 2019?

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Here's a round-up of the colours chosen for 2019 by some of the leading influencers in the world of colour, Pantone, Benjamin Moore and Akzo Nobel (Dulux).

Finding Design Inspiration Online

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Design websites are a great resource whether you want to keep up-to-date with the latest developments or simply find inspiration for your next design project. The best ones will provide inspiration and information on suppliers or events in the design world. Here’s just a few of the biggest and best design websites to get you started.

Why Choosing The Correct Colour Matters (Part 2)

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0100

This is the second part of a two-part article which shows three colours from the cool side of the colour wheel. We also look at some colour therapy tips to help you decide how to balance the purpose of the room with the psychology of the colour.

Building and Maintaining your Client Relationship

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Interior design is one of the most exciting industries to work in. The creativity involved and the knowledge that you have the ability to change people’s lives cannot be compared with anything else. As with any job, however, there are aspects that remain hidden until you begin working in the industry. I have managed many different interior design projects in my career, from high-end commercial to down-to-earth residential. In this blog, I want to share my experience so you can achieve great results, make your clients happy and keep your portfolio in top-quality condition.

Choosing the right paint finish and quantity for your interior project

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Selecting the right paint for your project can be difficult. Budget, brand, finish and durability are all factors you need to consider. While there are many decisions, one thing is certain - paint is a transformative tool for any interior designer.

Why Choosing The Correct Color Matters

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Color can brighten our day, activate our memory, or even stimulate our appetite. But what is the correct color for your space and how do you choose it? Let’s look at three warm colors and how they can influence a mood or space.

Feng shui tips for your kitchen

Fri, 25 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of balancing energy in your environment. In interior design, this refers to organising spaces to increase the flow of positive energy. The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home and is a space which creates a lot of energy. In this blog, I'll give you some feng shui tips to improve the flow of positive energy in your kitchen.

Choosing Wallpaper And Estimating Quantities

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Choosing wallpaper can be an exciting part of the design process. It can add a vibrancy and texture that can complement many types of design, particularly in rooms that do not have an obvious focal point.

The Nouvel approach: designing an office for living

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000

“We need to change behaviour, plan and think about work in an alternative way: an office, wherever it may be, must be a space in its own right, identifiable, transformable, full of humanity, full of history and objects, just a pleasant place”. According to Jean Nouvel, the notorious French architect, the office space should never be designed as a banal environment.

Living with 20th century classical chairs

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Living with the classical chairs of the 20th century means using everyday pieces of furniture which have stood the test of time and fashion. Some of these chairs have become cornerstones of design development and are known as classic examples of the Modern style. The chair designs which have been given this status are the ones which visually or associatively represent the best of their time.

Creating a Portfolio Case Study to Highlight Your Project Successes

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Your portfolio of work tells the best story possible about the work you do. When a client is choosing which interior designer to select, it is your portfolio which can sway their decision. The client may have had a look at some of your work on your website, through a marketing campaign, or maybe through a recommendation. When they meet you, they are interested to find out more about your work, your approach, what you have achieved and how you did it.

Sleep 2017 – The Hotel Design Event

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Sleep is Europe’s leading hotel design, development and architecture event. Each year, major manufacturers, designers and suppliers showcase the latest designs from the hotel industry. Sleep 2017 takes place at the Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington, London and runs from November 21-22. In anticipation of this year’s show, Twyla Howse takes a look back at some of the highlights from Sleep 2016.

How to design gender-neutral bedrooms for children

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

When major retailer John Lewis announced they were no longer going to have separate clothing sections for boys and girls, opting instead for a single “Boys and Girls” section, I wasn’t surprised.

Starting your own interior design business

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0100

When studying design, it’s easy to get lost in the detail of your projects and forget about the business side of the industry. If you have any aspiration of moving beyond interior design as a hobby, then I recommend starting to think carefully about this. Remember, an interior design business with no income cannot succeed.

Choosing the right paint for your interior installation

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0100

When painting an interior surface, most people start with colour selection. Important as this may be, it is meaningless to focus on colour without first considering a number of other elements. In this blog, I will explore the process of choosing the right paint for your installations and explain why factors such as paint quality and surface texture are as important as considering the final colour.

Transform your interiors with vinyl wallcoverings

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Vinyl wallcoverings have recently become very popular in residential and commercial environments. Originally used because of their durability, vinyl wallcoverings are now available in a wide variety of finishes, colours and textures. In this blog, we will show you how you can use vinyl wallcoverings to transform your interior designs.

Tile Trends in 2017

Wed, 03 May 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Tiles are starting to play a stronger role in creating the style of a house and becoming the focal point of a room. 2017 is an exciting time for tiles; printing technology is rapidly developing and the introduction of new tile types is giving designers more options than ever before. In this blog, we will take a look at some of the advances in tile design and what’s popular now.

Sample boards: What is the Best Option - Completed by Hand or Computer Generated?

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0100

A sample board is a presentation tool used to visually represent your design to a potential client. Putting together a great board will depend on how well you depict the design and capture the interest of your client. For a sample board you can either complete it by hand or generate it using a computer, but what option should you select?

Tackling IKEA in 3 Easy Steps

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Following a recent visit I made to IKEA on a weekend afternoon, I realised that, even though I am a regular visitor, I could have benefited from a reminder checklist on how to survive and even delight in IKEA.

Clutter vs Collectables

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I was inspired to write this article on the difference between clutter and collectibles when I recently helped my mother dust her house. My goodness! I had forgotten how much 'stuff' they have, and as I see the shelves of my own home start to fill, I worry that I have inherited that squirrel-like tendency to hoard things like my parents!