There is great satisfaction in redesigning the interior of your home. By following the seven core principles that experienced interior decorators follow, you can be assured of a pleasing result. The principles apply to all the rooms and should all be considered in your design for the best outcome.
We discuss these seven principles below.
Balance
Balance has three forms: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. Some design teachers refer to radial, informal and formal balance. You should aim to achieve a sense of equilibrium when following the principle of balance. The items in a room must be placed in a balanced way, each having equal weight in the overall design. This applies to furniture and furnishings. Texture, colour, shape, and line all play a role.
Harmony and Unity
Colours and items of furniture must leave the impression that they are integrated aspects of the whole. There must be uniform features. This will include textures, patterns, and shades so that everything flows smoothly to the eye. There should be no clashing elements. It is necessary to have a style in mind, such as continental. This could be throughout the room or congregate around a central focus.
Rhythm
This quality is borrowed from music. In both music and interior design, there must be contrast, repetition, or a gradual transition from one point to the next. This brings a room alive as a single entity instead of disparate pieces randomly arranged.
Scale and Proportion
The Golden Ratio is a formula that indicates the correct proportion or ratio between two items; this same principle is applied in interior design. It starts with working with the dimensions of the room and looking at the size and shape of objects in relation to one another. Everything must look part of the whole. You would not, for example, place a huge piece of furniture in a small room. Nor would you intersperse two big items with a tiny one. This also applies to any plants and paintings you put in the room.
Emphasis
A room needs a central point that draws attention. Otherwise, the design will not stand out and the room will be boring, however well the other principles have been applied. This could be a dramatic colour or a radial item around which everything is placed. Choose the part of the room you want to accentuate and paint the wall a vibrant colour, have a rough texture that stands out, or use a fireplace for emphasis. Artwork also makes a good focal point. A large room can have more than one space or item that you emphasize. Just don’t overdo it and end up with a confusing display.
Contrast
Use contrasting colours, patterns, or textures. Nevertheless, this should be subtle and not overwhelming. You can use contrast to separate areas in a room.
Details
Use detail to add a personal touch and make the room your own. All of this may seem rather tricky, but it takes practice to become good at interior decoration. If you are unsure of your ability to pull off a great redesign of your home, look for a Luxury Interior Designer London who can help you realise your vision.
Either way, enjoy the compliments when your visitors come over.