Theoretical Frameworks in Interior Design Literature between 2006 and 2016 and the Implication for Evidence-Based Design

The scope of interior design research is broad and diverse due to its inherent multidisciplinary nature. Assessment of the body of knowledge is necessary from time-to-time to gain trend insights. Thus, the purpose of this study is to review theoretical frameworks in interior design articles published across six peer-reviewed journals between 2006 and 2016. The six journals identified are Journal of Interior Design; Interiors: Design, Architecture & Culture; Housing & Society; Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences; Journal of Architectural Planning & Research; and Environment & Behavior. Among the 355 articles, only 29 (8.7%) are developed from theoretical frameworks. The Journal of Interior Design (17.3%) has the highest percentage of theory-framed scholarship. The findings indicate that a very limited number of articles utilize theoretical framework. Interior design scholars are encouraged to pay more attention to theory, support evidence-based design, and provide better insights into social phenomenon.