- Ideas & Inspiration
Jun 07, 2022
The best interiors begin with these basic design principles
Interior design is more than just a creative and intuitive process – like all good design, the practice is rooted in a set of basic but pertinent principles. For most of us, home interior design projects begin with a mood board that we piece together by pinning the best home décor ideas online and by bookmarking the enviable homes we see in design magazines. A quick lesson on the basic principles of design interior design will help you approach all the design inspiration you seek with a fresh pair of eyes to truly understand what works for your home design.
So whether you are considering a DIY makeover for a part of your home interiors or working towards a complete construction overhaul with the help of professionals, get familiar with the basic principles of design interior design before embarking on your dream project.
The seven basic principles ofinterior designare Balance, Harmony, Rhythm, Proportion and Scale, Emphasis, Contrast and Details.
For instance, a pair of sofas or lounge chairs that face each other with a centre, coffee table placed between theminaliving room. A pair of side tables with the same lamps on both sides of a bed in a bedroomis another example of symmetrical balance. It’s important to remember that in modern interior design, too much symmetry in a room can overwhelm the space, feel rigid or even boring.
Asymmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical balanceis a modern approach ininterior design principles that offers more flexibility while decorating a room. Instead of relying on mirroring or using identical objects, the key is to create a balance between the visual weight of objects that are similar in size, shape and dimensions. For example, wingback chairs can be placed opposite a large sofa in a living room.
Radial Balance
Radial balanceis a complex approach and it isn’t easy pull off, especially in smaller spaces. One focal element, such as a circular dining table or chandelier is at the heart of radial design and all the other objects are centred around it.
Style Tip:
Balance in home interior design also extends to the positive and negative spaces in a room. For example, if there is too much negative space in a room, it will feel sparse, empty or even unfurnished. Whereas, if a room is filled with too muchfurnitureand too many décor objects, it will feel cluttered, messy and overcrowded. A minimally designed room uses a lot more negative space while a cosier, more inviting space can be created by reducing the negative space between objects.
Style Tip:
If you’re having a hard time figuring out a theme or style for your interior design project, start with an object you love. It could be a piece of art or a patterned fabric or even a piece of furniture. Make that your focal point and let it guide the rest of the selections for the space.
3. Rhythm
You might wonder what rhythm is doing on a list of interior design principles but just as in music, there cannot be any harmony without rhythm. Rhythm is the use of colours, patterns and textures in repetition or contrast to create visual interest and movement that in turn guides your eyes through the room. For example, you can use the same colours in a room at different intervals, a yellow wall can be complimented by yellow cusion covers used on a sofa that’s placed against a differently coloured wall followed by a piece of art with yellow accents elsewhere.
Style Tip:
While mixing patterns and colours, keep in mind the general “Rule of Three” – pick a base, neutral or primary element and pair it with two smaller patterns or colours. Mixing just two elements can pass off as simply a “mismatch”. The easiest and most convenient way to practice rhythm is to invest in smaller accessories, photographs, artwork and cushions.
