Interior design is full of little quips and phrases that help even the world’s top designers to remember everything that goes into a well-designed space, for instance, the three F’s of interior design.
As far as interior design rules go, the three F’s are a simple approach to designing a room that ensures even the littlest details are paid the utmost attention.
We have asked top interior designers to explain what the three F’s are, why they are important, and how they use them to ace every space they work in.
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The three F’s of interior design
The three F’s of interior design are the floorplan, finishes, and fixtures in a space. In other words, they are the layout, the materials used, and the finishing touches that tie the space up with a pretty, metaphorical bow to create balance in interior design.
(Image credit: Champalimaud)
Although there are plenty of outdated decorating rules worth breaking, the three F’s is not one of them warns Jessii Lee and Amy Witte, senior associate designers at Page Southerland Page:
‘Imagine the Three F’s of interior design (floorplan, finishes, and fixtures) as putting together the perfect suit,’ they allegorize.
‘Your floorplan is the foundation of your suit style. It’s like deciding between a sophisticated two-piece suit or the elegance of a tuxedo. The plan sets the tone, and just like a well-tailored suit, it should be timeless. If the layout isn’t right, your needs won’t be met. Your finishes play a key role in defining the lifestyle you want to surround yourself with, much like the fabric of a suit. You want finishes that can withstand the wear and tear that life throws at them. Select finishes that speak to your own style. Your fixtures are the jewelry and accessories to your suit. Lighting, plumbing fixtures, and hardware are the finishing touches. They can take the space from classic to of-the-moment.’
(Image credit: Nicole Franzen)
Heather Kellow, founder and principal designer at Four Spaces Design similarly swears by this rule to help clients visualize the design journey.
‘I often tell my clients that a floor plan is our map,’ she says. ‘Just like you will not take on a road trip without knowing where you are going, a floorplan is much like that and helps you to avoid house layout mistakes early on. There is often more than one way to successfully layout your space and the floorplan helps to visualize that to your client.
‘The floor plan is also where we communicate all the details and notes to trades who will be working with us to execute the design,’ she adds.
The three F’s are organized in terms of priority, with finishes the costliest and second most important aspect of a room to get right, Heather reveals. These items are not simple to swap out and change as fixtures are, so it is vital to get them right.
‘Finishes are often the hard surface items that are more permanent in a space. Things like tile, flooring, and wallcoverings are all examples of finishes,’ Heather explains. ‘This is what is the bones of a design and can add depth and interest to a space. With the right finishes, you can create a space that is timeless and grows with your client’s ever-changing taste.’
Heather is a qualified interior designer with over 23 years of experience in curating beautiful homes for clients.
(Image credit: Nicole Franzen)
Just because you are following interior design rules, doesn’t mean they can’t be any fun, reminds Rachel Redford, interior designer and owner of Antlewede Interiors, and this is especially true when it comes to the final F – fixtures.
‘Fixtures are the “easiest” and least expensive of the F’s. This is the place to have fun: hardware, lighting, paint, pillows, rugs, the best bed sheets, and decorating with art. These items are often inexpensive and easily swappable depending on the season or holiday. Have fun with your home,’ she reminds us.
FAQs
What are the principles of interior design?
There are seven main principles in interior design. These are balance, harmony, emphasis, contrast, scale and proportion, and details. Working with these several ideals within every space helps to create a harmonious room that is enjoyable to be in, rather than a space that feels disconnected from itself.
What is the rule of three in decorating?
The rule of three is different from the three F’s in interior design. The rule of three is another rule that suggests that everything should be done in groups of three to help please the eye. This could be using the colors in the space, and grouping decor and art in threes, for instance. Odd numbers are usually more appealing to our minds, so working in this way helps to create a harmonious space to relax in.
Not following interior design rules such as the three F’s is an interior design mistake that is easy to make when you don’t have formal training. Working through these three steps in order, paying equal detailed attention to each one will lay the perfect foundation for any room, and really helps to make any space personalized to your needs and tastes.
