RETHINKING THEORIES IN INTERIOR DESIGN: A CRITICAL EXPLORATION

Abstract

This study explores the absence of discipline-specific theory in interior design and evaluates the application of existing theories from the field’s body of knowledge. Interior design is a relatively young profession and has long been subject to criticism for lacking a unique theory while frequently relying on borrowed theories from other disciplines. Even though this adds richness to its multi-disciplinary nature, this gap viewed as a problem in establishing the discipline’s legitimacy and growth. To address this, the study implements content analysis to systematically review theory-based articles of the selected journals using the keywords such as “theory”, “concept”, “theoretical model” and “paradigm” as assumed codes for the identification of theories. Findings present 28 distinct theoretical frameworks that support the inherently multi-disciplinary nature of interior design and investigate the potential of the interiority concept that is trending in recent studies for the development of discipline-specific theory. © 2024, Jomard Publishing. All rights reserved.