An interior design addresses a society and its culture in a marked period in time. The further you go back in history, you
will realize how interior design has blended between artistic societies, has crossed boundaries, and has travelled across continents. The
history of interior design is constantly changing as new ideas eventually take effect and modern materials are gradually
developed to accentuate the home. No one knows how the history of interior design actually began but as long as there have been homes to live in,
elements of interior design have existed in some primitive form.
Interior Design for the Wealthy The mounting evidence of the history of interior design is in the history
of the architecture.
It appears that throughout the history of interior design,interior design was limited to the
very wealthy. There is evidence to suggest that interior design was important to the Egyptians. The richly decorated tombs for
the pharaohs were designed both as a final resting place and as comfort for the pharaoh in the next life. There are further
indications to suggest that the rooms of the ancient Romans were planned around the varied ways that they would be used, which is
a key part of modern interior design. For example, they would have separate living rooms based on luxurious comfort for summer
and winter seasons.
Development of Interior Design We can follow the development of design over time. During the Italian
Renaissance, all arts experienced an escalation in popularity. Wealthy patrons contributed capital to support the arts. The mansions of this
period were luxuriously decorated with beautiful furniture, oriental carpets, intricately designed mirrors and works of art. In France during the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, spaces started to be designed around purpose and form, with some of the most prominent examples being the
excessive interior designs of the palace at Versailles, an expression of royal corruption.
Industrial Revolution At this period in history of interior design, such things were well out of reach of
the average person. This all changed with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. This economic revolution made goods for home decoration
cheaper and the middle-class families were soon able to afford things such as interior design. It was long before interior design magazines were
gradually developed, and the business of interior designer became an industry in itself.
Conclusion The history of interior design can be such an interesting and fascinating subject and one which
integrates profound information about historic interiors with knowledge about historic buildings. The history of interior design was shaped by
numerous styles, movements, social developments and technological revolutions. The history of interior design has a lot to tell of the
individuals living in a particular place and time and will continue to be an effective tool in recording history.
