What Type of Math Is Needed for Interior Design?

Interior designers' main job is to make sure that interior spaces are beautiful. Making homes, offices, and any other type of inside space look its best might seem like a purely artistic approach, but there is a science to design.

Getting a degree to prepare for work in this field doesn't mean you'll be able to avoid math, even with the heavy emphasis on aesthetics.

Because interior designers work with limited spaces (no matter how big), designers need to know the basic calculations that come with figuring out total area, surface volume, and other similar math formulas.

Interior designers are also responsible for the functional elements of a building and will need experience with some more advanced math formulas and even physics classes.

Learn about the interior design math requirements that many colleges have and how necessary math is to the day-to-day work of interior designers.

Is There a Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Decoration?

It's also important to know that interior design and interior decoration aren't the same occupation. There is overlap, but interior design is a more scientific career than decoration.

While an interior decorator handles things like selecting paintings, rugs, and furniture, interior designers handle the layout and design of the actual building and space.

An interior designer is closer in daily work to an architect than to a decorator. Interior designers design the larger space with things like window placement, overall building style, and more. This can be for new spaces before they are built, but interior designers often aid in redesigning spaces for new purposes, especially commercial locations.

Lastly, interior decorating doesn't require a degree like interior design does.

What Type of Math Is Needed for Interior Design?

For most universities, the interior design math requirements include whatever math is in the core curriculum, such as algebra or geometry.

However, this is not the end of math in interior design. Universities also include higher requirements, sometimes as high as physics.

Because being an interior designer is similar to being an architect, math is required for deciding everything from the placement of weight-bearing columns to properly spacing lighting fixtures.

If an interior designer is looking to remove walls from an existing space, for example, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered first. Evaluating these considerations is where physics, geometry, and algebra courses are necessary to succeed.

Is Being an Interior Designer the Same as an Architect?

Interior designers do work that is very similar to the work done by architects, but they are different degree paths.

The main difference between the two is that interior design focuses on the aesthetics and design of interior spaces, blending the functional with style elements. This role can be employed for newly built spaces or for redesigning an older home or business that is looking for a new style.

Architects are primarily focused on the structure of a building and the outside design. Although architects are involved in choosing the style of a building, they don't have the same duties for the interior of the building, especially in mixed-use developments or office buildings.

Both careers require a fair amount of math, though. Weight-bearing structures can be design elements, but they need to be designed in a way that still supports the weight they need to hold. There are also building codes around distances between outlets, lighting fixtures, and other electrical design pieces.

Additionally, architects and interior designers are both responsible for coordinating vendors and contractors to deliver on the expectations of clients.

Can I Become an Interior Designer Without Taking any Math Courses?

Interior design math requirements are in college curriculums for very legitimate reasons. Interior designers aren't just there to make a building beautiful on the inside, whether it's personal or commercial, it also must be functional.

Although a person can design a building, without the proper mathematical understanding needed, the space might not be functional and, most importantly, up to the relevant building codes.

If you're looking to become an interior designer, you should be prepared for math classes both in the core curriculum of your school as well as for your interior design major.

Finding The Best Interior Design Degree Program for You

Interior design degrees are a practical career for people who enjoy using math to make buildings of all kinds beautiful and functional.

Find the interior design math requirements included in hundreds of college curriculums across North America today.