Interior designers use specific artistic methodologies to “trick” our minds or, at the very least, reshape how we perceive interior spaces. Few people realize how much of a mind game it is.
Seven design elements guide experts and novices in the world of interior design. The elements are SPACE, LINE, FORM, LIGHT, COLOR, TEXTURE, AND PATTERN.
Space
An interior decorator will first visit the space they are styling to get a sense of its dimensions. Positive space refers to the positions of the room’s objects, such as a sofa and armchairs. In contrast, negative space refers to the gaps between and includes circulation space for navigating the room and areas left open to prevent the room from feeling cluttered.
An interior designer will always strive to balance a room’s positive and negative spaces. An imbalance between the two can cause a stutter in the overall design of a space. If you leave too much negative space in a room, it will feel sparse, empty, unfurnished, and thus impersonal. Filling a room with more than required furniture and too many objects, on the other hand, will make it feel cluttered, messy, and overcrowded.
Lines
The line is another tool interior designers use to influence how our brain perceives space. Lines are classified into three types:
- Dynamic
- Horizontal
- Vertical
Tables with horizontal lines provide a sense of stability to an interior. They can also make a room appear larger. The room’s vertical lines are created by features such as windows and doors or possibly a tall fireplace.
Dynamic lines such as diagonals, zigzags, and curves can be created by a feature such as a staircase, but they can also be created by tiling laid diagonally. They are eye-catching and add energy to a scheme.
Shape/ Form
Regarding home décor ideas, shapes can be either geometric or natural. Geometric shapes, such as furniture, are typically constructed, whereas natural shapes, such as plants, are more organic.
Form refers to the general shapes of the room. It could be the room’s overall shape, the furniture, the decor, or even the light fixtures. Geometric and natural are the two types. The key with these forms is that balance and natural shapes can bring softness to an interior in contrast to the stronger geometrics.
Light
The term “mood lighting” frequently appears in discussions about interior design for a reason: light is one of the practical tools that can influence our mood, feelings, and, to some extent, our physiology.
The vast majority of interiors incorporate both natural and artificial lighting. While the amount of daylight that comes may appear to be fixed, consider that interior designers can filter the light accordingly using drapery and window coverings.
There are ways to manipulate and maximize both light sources in a room. Natural light is essential in making a space feel warm, safe, and happy, but if it isn’t properly filtered, it can feel harsh and even make a room hotter. While we cannot directly control the amount of natural light that enters a space, we can reduce or increase it by using skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and even window furnishings such as blinds and curtains.
Color
Color enlivens a space and can be used as a complementary or contrasting element. It is frequently based on color psychology to ensure the right feelings are set in the room.
Color is essential for creating a mood in a room and making room feel larger, lighter, or cozier. Of course, the chosen color must complement the room’s function, with more restful shades for bedrooms, for example, or energetic hues in a home office.
Texture
Texture can be derived from the texture of a wall (smooth, matte, or glossy), the upholstery used (plush like velvet, soft like satin), or even the flooring can be either marble or concrete. Wallpapers and wall coverings are also commonly used to add texture to a room; they act perfectly while creating the illusion of depth where needed.
Texture’s purpose is to add depth and interest. There are two kinds: visual and natural. Visual textures, such as marble, are only visible. Actual textures, such as velvet, can be seen and felt. When selling your home, adding color, texture, and patterns is a simple way to revitalize a space without requiring significant design changes.
Pattern
Pattern, like texture, adds interest and life to a room and can be found in an area rug, wallpaper, soft furnishings, and artwork.
Everything these days, from wooden floors to wallpaper, comes in a dizzying array of patterns. A piece of art or a rug in place, perhaps even decorative items such as patterned cushion covers, is a more accessible, less-committal way to introduce patterns into a space.
These seven factors will always be present in high-quality interior design. When you understand how to effectively mix, match, and balance colors, lines, and space, you can truly transform your home into something you could never have imagined.
