Ever flipped through a magazine and found yourself admiring the design of that beautiful living space? Probably, while scrolling down endless envy-inspiring Pinterest boards, you have seen interior designs. Well, the magic to those great spaces actually lies in some basic principles of great interior design.
This handbook is meant for rookie interior designers, or pretty much anyone, who wants to transform their living space into a stylish, functional, and coherent haven. Understanding and applying these general principles will help you derive as much joy from realizing your dream interior as I do from creating mine.
The Essential Toolbox: Design Principles
An interior designer works with a certain set of tools, much like an artist, to help bring their vision to life. In this case, our tools are some of the basic guiding principles that tell elements in a space how to relate to each other in order to form a whole. Without further ado, let’s get right into a few of those:
Balance: Think of a room in which all the furniture is crammed into one end. It feels off, doesn’t it? Balance is the concept of visual equilibrium between the distribution of visual weight of elements (furniture, décor) in space. It may be actual or apparent and achieved by symmetric or asymmetric arrangements.
Harmony: Consider a music symphony where all instruments play in harmony with each other to make a melody. In design, it refers to a situation when all the elements in a room, from the styles of furniture to the color and texture of everything else, combine to result in a uniform whole that is very pleasing to the eye.
Rhythm: Rhythm in design is exactly like rhythm in music. It has to do with creating a sense of visual flow through repetition and pattern. This might be done through the way you repeat colors, textures, or shapes around the room. Imagine using striped throw pillows to echo the lines on a rug, creating a sense of connection.
Proportion & Scale: Just as Cinderella and the glass slipper, all furniture and decor elements in a room should be proportionate with regard to the space available. A massive sofa might overpower a small living room, while a tiny coffee table would get lost in a large space.
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Focal point: There needs to be one central focus in the room around which every other piece of the room centers and which will draw the eye and draw attention to itself. This may be a grand piece of artwork, a grand fireplace, or even a unique little chair.
Contrast: Nothing has to match perfectly, down to the T. Contrast in visual interest does not allow a room to fall down prey to looking dully uniform. Use the color, texture, and pattern to be playful elements in creating a dynamically conversational space.
Bonus Tip: Embrace Your Style! While these are all good guidelines, the rest is up to good interior design to pull it all together in a way that is pleasing and reflective of your personal style. Don’t be afraid to dabble and bring in loved pieces from all around to emanate a space that represents your one-of-a-kind personality. Remember, design is a journey, not a destination. Get ready to have some fun and do some experimenting, in preparation for your living space turning into a design masterpiece!
