Professional interior designers will usually follow a set of informal “rules”, based on specific interior design principles and elements. These interior design elements include space, line, forms, light, colour, texture and pattern; and keeping them balanced is the key to creating an aesthetically pleasing interior.

Design leaders (Head of Design) guide the design team's vision and strategy within an organization. They establish and uphold the organization's design principles and standards while ensuring the design team delivers high-quality work.