Universal Principles of Interior Design

Introduction
01 Accessibility
02 Acoustics
03 Adaptability
04 Adjacency
05 Alignment
06 Anchoring
07 Aperture
08 Asymmetry
09 Balance
10 Biomimicry
11 Biophilia
12 Character
13 Circular Design
14 Circulation
15 Codes
16 Collaboration
17 Color Palette
18 Color Scheme
19 Color Theory
20 Composition
21 Connection
22 Contrast
23 Craft
24 Creativity
25 Depth
26 Design Process
27 Detail
28 Discovery
29 Durability
30 Egress
31 Emphasis
32 Ergonomics
33 Finishes
34 Form
35 Function
36 Furniture
37 Geometry
38 Gradation
39 Grid
40 Harmony
41 Health, Safety, and Welfare
42 Hierarchy
43 History
44 Hue
45 Human-Centered Design
46 Human Scale
47 Hybridization
48 Inclusivity
49 Innovation
50 Inspiration
51 Layering
52 Lighting
53 Line
54 Materiality
55 Measurement
56 Modeling
57 Modularity
58 Monochrome
59 Mood
60 Movement
61 Natural Lighting
62 Occupancy
63 Organic
64 Orientation
65 Pattern
66 Perspective
67 Philosophy
68 Placement
69 Preservation
70 Program
71 Proportion
72 Prototyping
73 Ratio
74 Red Thread
75 Regionalism
76 Representation
77 Rhythm
78 Rule of Thirds
79 Scale
80 Shape
81 Sight Lines
82 Social Impact
83 Space
84 Specifications
85 Storytelling
86 Styling
87 Surface
88 Sustainability
89 Symbolism
90 Symmetry
91 Technology
92 Texture
93 Tone
94 Transparency
95 Typology
96 Unity
97 Universal Design
98 Volume
99 Wayfinding
Zones
Acknowledgments
Index
Credits
 

Chris Grimley has organized, designed, and implemented experiential environments, interiors, master plans, and branding initiatives for clients ranging from small offices to large institutions. He has broad experience in architecture, graphic design, and interior design. He is the co-author and designer of several books, including The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book (2018), Imagining the Modern: Architecture and Urbanism of the Pittsburgh Renaissance (2019), and Heroic: Concrete Architecture and the New Boston (2015). Recognition and awards include those from AIGA, SEGD, HOW, docomomo, the Boston Preservation Alliance and the Boston Society of Architects. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Kelly Harris Smith is a designer, creative director, and entrepreneur specializing in natural and sustainable materials for commercial and residential interior design. A co-founder of FilzFelt (acquired by Knoll, Inc. in 2011), Kelly’s award-winning designs are distinctive for their pattern, color, and innovative functionality. Kelly is also the founder of Minni, a community creative space in Boston offering art and design education to young children. She was awarded Product Designer Award at Interior Design’s HiP 2020 and Emerging Product Designer Award at NYCxDesign in 2018. She trained in architecture at Northeastern University and resides in Boston, Massachusetts.