Principles of Interior Design

Principles of Interior Design

The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to how you use these elements. The principles of design are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and unity.

1. Balance

Visual equilibrium in a room is called balance. A well-balanced room gives careful consideration to the placement of objects according to their visual weight. Balance also refers to how and where you place the elements (line, form, color and texture) within a room. To maintain balance, try to distribute the

elements throughout the room. Informal balance uses different objects of the same visual weight to create equilibrium in a room.
2. Emphasis
Emphasis is the focal point of the room. You can add emphasis to a natural focal point or create one in a room through effective use of line, form, color and texture.
3. Rhythm
Rhythm supplies the discipline that controls the eye as is moves around a room. Rhythm helps the eye to move easily from one object to another and creates a harmony that tells the eye everything in the room belongs to a unified whole. Rhythm is created through repetition of line, form, color or texture. Progressive rhythm is a gradual increasing or decreasing in size, direction or color.
4. Proportion and Scale
Size relationships in a room are defined by proportion and scale. Proportion refers to how the elements within an object relate to the object as a whole.
5. Harmony and Unity
A well-designed room is a unified whole that encompasses all the other elements and principles of design. The ultimate goal of decorating is to create a room with unity and harmony and a sense of rhythm. Repeating the elements, balancing them throughout the room, and then adding a little variety so that the room has its own sense of personality accomplishes this.