Interior design is the art of shaping the experience of interior space. With a little knowledge of its basic principles, communication with your interior designer flows more smoothly and channeling your vision for your home becomes simple and straightforward. Here are five basic principles of interior design your home renovator wants you to keep in mind.

The Principles

1. Balance

Balance creates a sense of equilibrium. It is all about using the visual weight of objects to generate a feeling of calmness. In interior design, there are three kinds of balance:

• Symmetrical or formal. Traditional or formal spaces demand symmetrical balance, where the space is evenly distributed into two sides that reflect each other. For example, two chairs on either side of a coffee table is considered to be symmetrically balanced. 

• Asymmetrical or informal. This type of balance is not as structured as symmetrical balance and can be more interesting visually. A sofa in a living room can be balanced by placing two chairs on the other side.

• Radial balance. This is achieved when there is a focal point with architectural elements radiating from it. There is repetition of form, color and texture. An example of this is a round dining table with chairs around it.

2. Rhythm

Defined as recurrence or organized movement, rhythm in interior design is all about incorporating patterns of repetition and contrast. When you repeat colors, shapes or textures through space, you create visual interest and rhythm. Its goal is to move the eye around the room. According to a home remodeler, you can establish rhythm by using one color in the pillows, reflecting it in a painting and echoing it once more in a rug.

3. Harmony

Harmony is achieved when all the elements in a room work together to generate a unified look. Just as rhythm can create anticipation in a space, harmony creates a sense of peace and restfulness. A harmonious room may incorporate a singular color even though forms vary in shape, size or texture.

4. Emphasis

Architectural spaces have points of interest, such as a fireplace or an expansive window with a view. You can emphasize the focal point by arranging pieces of furniture around it. In a room that lacks such a focal point, you can create one through groupings of furniture or by integrating a large piece of art.

5. Proportion & Scale

Proportion refers to the ratio between the size of one part to another. A square table with a rectangular dish in the middle of it will not look right because the dish is not in proportion to the table. Scale is the size of one object in relation to other objects in a design. For example, an overstuffed sofa crammed into a small room is out of scale.

Let’s Start a Conversation!

Let our team of designers and builders at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Northwest Arkansas create the home interior of your dreams. We proudly serve residents of Siloam Springs, Lowell, Bentonville, Centerton and other nearby communities. Just give us a call at (479) 315-5253 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment with a “contractor near me.” We look forward to working with you!