How to Specify the Right Materials for Your Interior Design Project

Evaluate the project’s functional and aesthetic requirements

Before specifying finishes for interior design, you should take stock of the functional needs of the project. For high-traffic areas where durability and easy maintenance are a priority, the materials will be a lot different than for those built around aesthetics.

This isn’t to say aesthetic vision is not important. In fact, your client’s expectations are likely centered on looks. It’s your task to also keep things practical, which will require a delicate balance of achieving the desired look while ensuring maximum functionality and durability.

Naturally, you may be limited by the client guidelines and your budget. For instance, your client may want a premium-looking material in their space, such as walnut, but it may exceed your funds. In that case, you can achieve the desired look with a walnut vinyl wrap that looks identical to the real thing at a fraction of the price.

Evaluating the performance and overall durability of the materials

It goes without saying that the materials you choose should ooze quality. However, you should also examine how each of your design components performs in real life.

First, evaluate if the material is resilient enough for the demands of the space you’re designing. For example, if you’re designing a commercial space, it’s safe to assume you’ll need to use more durable materials that are scratch-resistant and can take the wear and tear.

Similarly, you’ll also have to consider the maintenance needs and ensure that the material will retain its look for the long haul. After all, you don’t want your work to go to waste in a few months. This is why you also need to consider the upfront investment in relation to longevity.

Why does sustainability also matter?

When thinking about how to specify the right materials for your interior design project, it’s wise to take into account the overall sustainability. That is - if you want to remain relevant in your business.

Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and eco-friendly materials are all the rage right now, with clients looking to reduce their carbon footprint, leaving you to find visually appealing, low-environmental impact materials.

How do you do that?

Easy - find PVC-free options and look for eco labels such as GREENGUARD or FSC. These certifications verify that the material is sourced and manufactured responsibly.

This is often easier said than done, because some of the recycled or composite materials may not carry the visual impact of the real thing.

Fortunately, PVC-free vinyl wrap for commercial interiors can help you enhance the sustainability of your design, without the aesthetic quality suffering one bit. Made from eco-friendly polypropylene, PVC-free vinyl coverings reduce carbon emissions by as much as 30%.

Dialing in the aesthetic

The materials you opt for should also work for the overall style of the space. This is why specifying the exact building blocks matters so much. Certain materials simply gel well with certain aesthetics, helping your design be cohesive and stylistically accurate.

It’s not just about the looks, though. Textures also play a role as they add depth and, equally as important, dial up the tactile engagement. A good example is combining glossy elements with matte surfaces to create the optimal balance.

You can take it one step beyond by layering contrasting materials in such a way that can help highlight the key elements of the design.

Of course, you can’t track down each material, which is why it’s smart to ask for swatches or samples from your material providers. This allows you to assess how different finishes and textures work together before you purchase anything.

Why you should reach out to suppliers and review samples before settling on a material

Most suppliers (at least the good ones) will be happy to send you a few test samples. This is really the only way to make certain that what you visualize or design in a 3D space translates into real life.

When your materials arrive, review their appearance in different lighting conditions. Designers sometimes forget the impact of the light on materials, which can lead to a small disaster with the client. To cover all bases, check the swatches under direct sunlight, artificial light, and any variations you may encounter during your project.

Lastly, don’t be shy to ask the supplier for their expertise. They can educate you on specific installation methods, surface preparation, and maintenance requirements, as well as consult you on the proper type of material for your design. This can help you avoid issues later down the line, so you should never skip this part.

Make your design pop

Because you’ll have to carefully handle so many different aspects with the overall budget, you’ve got your work cut out for you. Luckily, you can breathe a sigh of relief as vinyl film is becoming more durable and faithful to the look and texture of the original materials with each passing day.

As such, you can supplement your design with vinyl coverings to accurately bring your design vision to life without making any sacrifices in terms of durability or maintenance requirements.

At Cover Styl, in addition to swatches, we offer valuable supplemental resources when choosing materials for interior projects. Not only can you find the perfect material for the project, but you can also check out our free mood boards , where our in-house designers will help you pick out the right stuff.