Five Architectural Elements That Come Before Interior Design
Mid-Century Modern exterior home inspired by Marcel Bruer. Concept by Plush Design Interiors Ai, Adelaide
Architectural elements and design principles are those areas that support the planning and philosophy of architectural design. These architectural elements will help you to have a more comfortable and functional home that supports your individual lifestyle. So what are these elements?
Quick Answer
Before colour or furniture, a designer considers five architectural elements: the space itself, the view in and out, air flow for heating and cooling, natural and artificial light, and sound and acoustics. Get these right first and the decorating decisions become far easier.
When I was in high school, I studied technical drawing for two years with a view to being an architect. I have computer designed over 500 houses (and worked on over 50 real homes here in Adelaide), and love architecture and architectural elements. However interior architecture and interior design have always been my true passion.
Even now, when Plush Design Interiors designs home additions and renovations architectural elements are of great interest and do affect our work as Interior Architects and Interior Designers in Adelaide.
Some people may think that an interior designer simply chooses wall colours, fiddles with fabric, and throws cushions around. Well, many of them do, but that’s only one small part of creating beautiful spaces.
Interior designers must consider five important architectural elements BEFORE embarking on a design project. So what are these crucial areas?
At Plush Design Interiors, we design all our own work in-house, but we do create highly visual concepts using SketchUp, AutoCad, and Ai so clients can clearly see a design direction.
1. Architectural Elements Begin With The Space
One room can appear different from another through manipulation of the space. Any room must be a quality space that best functions in relation to YOUR family and lifestyle. How will the space be used and by whom? What activities will take place? What architectural features are part of the space?
In our work at Plush Design Interiors, we consider the space and all its dimensions – vertical, horizontal and diagonal – and how the space will ‘work’ before we consider decorative elements.
For example, does the space need a picture window, a door, a wall removed or a wall put in place. It’s true – form follows function with architectural elements. Our expertise will help you to identify how best to utilise the space and make it work for you.
Glorious open-plan living room with Brutalist and Mid-century Modern design elements, which I love, devised by Plush Design Interiors Ai. As a child, our friends had the metal fire guard curtain which I LOVED!
2. The View
Maximizing good views and minimizing bad ones is a key consideration. No one wants to look out onto a brick wall. Other considerations include how much privacy may be required, how secure and protected the room feels, and if you want to see who is approaching your home.
Many people miss this important element because they may assume that 'the view is the view' and not much can be done about it.
However, good views can be maximized for great enjoyment. Similarly, bad views can be disguised and minimized with a variety of good design ideas. Remediation will also enhance your enjoyment of the space... and the view.
If you have great views but small windows, then opening up your space with picture windows or bi-fold doors is a great option. Consider privacy if having a view also means other people can look into your home. Sheer window treatments, plantation shutters, or tinted window panes may help you enjoy the view but retain privacy.
Conversely, if you have a bad view then consider other ways to attract natural light or gain privacy whilst avoiding an ugly view. For example, installing a beautiful stained glass window or plantation shutters, planting a fragrant and leafy bush outside the window, or removing a lower window and installing a higher privacy window. High privacy windows will allow light and air to flow but restrict unsightly views.
The fusion of mid-century modern and brutalism makes for a timeless and modern bedroom with sublime views, as designed by Plush Design Interiors Ai for an Adelaide Hills client
3. The Air
Cross-ventilation and the movement of air is one of the key architectural elements. Heating and cooling affects your enjoyment of your home, and your budget. Houses that are more narrow and rectangular are easier to cool with fewer ‘dead spots’ of air. Whereas houses that are fatter and squarer are harder to cool with more ‘dead spots’ of air.
The air flow in your home is one of the important design decisions with which we can help. Heating and cooling are two elements. However air extraction - say from a kitchen or bathroom - is as important as the flow of fresh air.
Part of any interior design plan should include looking at these aspects to maximise natural air movement, retain heat and cool when needed, and extract moisture where it’s not wanted, such as in a bathroom.
Ventilation and air flow are always considered when designing spaces but particularly in a bathroom. Concept by Plush Design Interiors Ai
4. The Light
As an interior design studio, we note how much natural light enters a room, the arc of the sun and the lighting needs of the space. The positioning of the room in the house and on the block is also highly relevant.
There are three types of lighting – Ambient (sometimes called general lighting), Task and Accent – each of which has a different purpose. A study will require different lighting from a kitchen, a dining room or an open plan living room, for example.
Ambient lighting is general lighting used daily and often for may reasons. Task lighting, as the name suggests, is for tasks such as reading, studying, cooking etc. And Accent lighting is mood lighting so may include strip lighting, wall scones, table and floor lamps, and other soft lighting.
I imagined a split-level bedroom with seating area and balcony in a mid-century modern brutalist fusion for our Adelaide Hills clients, using Plush Design Interiors Ai
5. The Sound
Often forgotten, sound is an area that really does impact the livability of a home. Is the home next to a railway line? Are there timber floors that clatter and echo? Will children need to sleep while adults entertain friends? Will children playing need to be heard from another room? The acoustic properties of a home can be manipulated and remedied with acoustic panels, fabric, books, rugs, even wallpaper.
To truly live in a home that you love, an interior designer will consider these five architectural elements before they begin to think about redecorating.
Good design isn’t luck. It’s decisions—made early and made well.
If you’re planning a renovation or interior project, this is where it all clicks.
In your 2-hour Design Power Session, we’ll:
Refine your layout for function and flow
Review plans, selections, and ideas
Give you clear, expert direction moving forward
Available in Adelaide or via Zoom.
$480 + GST — often the difference between a good outcome and a great one.
No obligation. Just a smarter starting point.
Secure your session and move forward with confidence.
Love, Penelope xx - Interior Architect and Interior Designer
FAQ’s on the Five Architectural Elements
1. What should be considered before choosing interior decor?
Five architectural elements come first: the space and how it's used, the view, air flow, light, and sound — decor decisions should follow, not lead.
2. How does room shape affect heating and cooling costs?
Narrower, more rectangular homes are generally easier to heat and cool evenly, with fewer "dead spots" of stagnant air than fatter, squarer floor plans.
3. What can I do about a bad view from a window?
Options include privacy glazing, plantation shutters, strategic planting, or repositioning a window higher to bring in light while screening the view.
4. What are the three types of lighting a home needs?
Ambient (general daily lighting), task (for specific activities like reading or cooking), and accent (mood lighting like sconces or floor lamps).
5. How can I reduce noise problems in an open-plan home?
Acoustic panels, heavy fabrics, rugs, books and even certain wallpapers can all help manage sound and echo in open or hard-surfaced spaces.
6. Why do architectural elements matter more than decor choices?
Because a beautifully decorated room built on poor architectural fundamentals — bad light, bad airflow, an awkward view — will never feel truly comfortable to live in.
