I recently had the pleasure of working with a young woman who used the following phrase during our collaboration: I feel like I’m in The Sims! I’ve never played this game, perhaps because when it was released, I was starting my Interior Architecture studies and had The Sims in real life.
How, if at all, Does Interior Design Differ from the Sims?
In the game, we can allow ourselves freedom, courage, and experimentation. Design offers the same freedom! Of course, when designing for oneself, in a real-life context, everyone has many more thoughts, internal conflicts, and limitations. What we design, we do so that it appears in reality. And I assume that some virtual creations, in reality, might turn out to be, for example, tiring? Or uncomfortable? There might be no cabinet or shelf, or it might turn out that water splashes onto the floor. But overall, it can be a good testing ground that allows us to answer many questions about how we live and what we need to be comfortable. I assume that the game doesn’t always provide us with everything we wish for (I mean, for example, the shape of a sink or a toilet bowl), and then we make certain compromises. For example, the layout of functions in a room is as we wanted, but individual elements would require refinement. However, as a rule – we can test, try, and (apart from our time) nothing limits us here.
The game also offers certain add-ons with very interesting names like: “fairy-tale room”, “artistic atelier”, “tasteful living room”, or “retro comeback”. This means we can personalize our project, enriching it with a desired style that resonates with us today. The add-ons show that we can focus on a specific room. That we need different things to furnish a child’s room, different things to arrange a studio, and still other elements to create a living room. That’s what the names suggest, but our imagination would allow us to create, for example, a fairy-tale living room with artistic elements. Design is fun, it’s a conversation; the more relaxed and open, intuitive and sensitive we are, the better results we can achieve.
In the game, there are certain simplifications. For example, you just need to buy a lamp to have light; no installation is needed to connect it. Similarly with a toilet – you just need to place it to use it; it doesn’t have to be connected to the sewage system. This certainly means we don’t have to worry about the technical aspects of what we design. And we definitely don’t need to know any standards. But it’s not that simple; we still learn something. For example, if we don’t dispose of the compost from the toilet in some way, it will burn us, because the heat accumulated during composting turns into fire.
There’s another simplification in the game – everything happens faster! A house is built instantly; it just appears on the property. The entire construction process isn’t needed; you don’t have to order materials, and no materials need to dry, for example. Overall, in the game, we are a year or two ahead. We don’t have to meet with contractors at all, answer their questions, or consider the type of materials used. We just – build.
After going through these few points, it can be confidently said that interior design actually doesn’t differ much from The Sims game. And it certainly doesn’t differ if you have an interior designer to collaborate with.
Why? An architect allows us freedom and courage – we can try things out, check them on visualizations or mood boards. We have time for that. We don’t have to be experts in technical or ergonomic details and can play with the arrangement. Discuss our needs and dreams. Create a space tailored to our own expectations.
An interior designer will also provide us with “game add-ons” in a style that suits us. This can be either one chosen style or eclecticism. We can freely combine the elements proposed to us, for which the architect is responsible for selection and choice. This means, for example, we will receive three proposals, each of which will be suitable and meet expectations. We only choose from good “add-ons”.
They know the standards and technical conditions, so you don’t have to be knowledgeable about electricity, plumbing, etc. To ensure that the lamp chosen in the store will light up at the final stage and that you can confidently use the toilet bowl or shower. An interior designer will ensure convenience and comfort, providing for the proper installations during the design phase so that you can finally enjoy your interior.
What about time? On the one hand, we won’t skip construction stages; a house won’t appear at the snap of a finger. However, thanks to collaboration with an interior designer, construction can proceed smoothly and harmoniously, without stress, because before it even begins, you’ll have already determined what will happen. You’ll have prepared designs for contractors, with all necessary elements presented for ordering. And if you additionally opt for coordination, you’ll essentially be able to arrange to pick up the property at an agreed time, ready for occupancy. So maybe not in the blink of an eye, but from your side, a slightly longer snap of the fingers might suffice.
Best regards,
Malwina
