Architects have an important job: building structures that will fulfill people's needs while being structurally safe and sound. But here's the thing: you can create the greatest building in the world, but nobody's going to use it if the inside is a mess. Interior design is an integral part of architecture, focused on creating interior spaces that make the building both functional and aesthetically appealing. Still, we have different kinds of buildings, so it makes sense that we have different kinds of interior designs. One of the biggest arenas for designers is residential design, or the interiors of spaces in which people live. This can include houses, apartments, condos, and anywhere else where people reside. The architect may build the house, but it's the designer's job to make it a home.

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Residential interior designers coordinate the interiors of homes, which means that their job is very different than someone who designs something like a bank or a commercial center. Interior design is always a matter of balancing aesthetic and function, so we need to consider the primary function of a residence: it's a place where people live. Therefore, a residential designer's primary focus is creating a livable space.

This means that residential designs needs to be comfortable and usable. Think of what you use your home for. It's where you relax, cook, and eat. It may be where you entertain close friends or small groups of guests. You may have a home office for work. Residential needs tend to be focused on smaller groups and more relaxed atmospheres than you'd find in a commercial building, and the interior designer needs to ensure that the colors, lighting, furniture, appliances, temperature, and general layout meet these needs. In other words, the interior needs to be livable.