Have you ever looked through a decorating magazine and noticed how the rooms just seem to work? These rooms stand out in all their well-designed glory and you aspire to have rooms just like those in the magazines. There are basic principles involved when designing a space that make a certain room work functionally and aesthetically. To really understand how a room works, you need to go back to the basics of interior design. The basic principles of design are balance, rhythm, harmony, focal point and scale.
Here is a selection of well-designed rooms that employ all of the basics of interior design. Look closely and see how the principles of balance, rhythm, harmony, focal point and scale are employed in these rooms as you learn about each.
Balance refers to how visual weight is distributed in a room. Balance can be achieved three ways: symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial. Symmetrical balance is when each side is exactly equal, which is often employed in traditional design. Asymmetrical balance is achieved by placing one large piece against several smaller pieces. Radial balance is when all items are arranged around a center point.
Rhythm is the repetition or contrast of patterns throughout a space. Colors, shapes or patterns should be repeated at least once in a room. This allows for a smooth flow throughout a room or connecting spaces in the home. Placing two contrasting items in a room creates interest as well as a sense of rhythm.
Harmony refers to how all of the elements in a design work together and is especially important in today’s open concept home. Color schemes are a great example of harmony. The use of color throughout a room or home should flow well. Harmony is the story that your home tells as you go from room to room.
A focal point is a spot in the room where the eye rests. It is the one area or item in a room to which your attention is drawn when entering. The focal point can be a fireplace, artwork, a unique piece of furniture or the view. Every room should have a focal point.
Scale and proportion are important to make a room design work well. Furnishings and accessories should be in proportion to one another. In other words, a large sofa should be paired with chairs and tables that are the same or close to the same size.
Using the basics of interior design as a guide when conquering home decorating projects will ensure success and get you closer to the rooms featured in the glossy pages of a magazine. Balance, rhythm, harmony, focal point and scale can help bring your dream interiors to reality.
