In today’s post, I share seven essential elements of interior design, which together create the mood and functionality of a space. The seven design elements are Space, Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Pattern, and Light. Together, they make up the style and feel of a room. There is a lot of room for interpretation and expression within these principles.
Space
When assessing your space, you will want to start with the actual square footage and volume of the room. In most cases, the room will not be getting any bigger, nor the ceilings getting any higher or lower. In addition, you should remember to include both positive and negative space in your design plan. If you are going for a Minimal style, you will want more negative or empty space in your room. If you love Grand Millennial style, you will want more positive space, in other words, you will fill the space with personal collections, textures, and patterns. In either case, leaving some negative space allows the eye to rest and helps avoid a chaotic design.
Learn how to measure your interior space in 7 tips for Perfect Furniture Layout linked below:
Line
Lines fall into three different categories, vertical, horizonal, and dynamic. Vertical lines are created by things like doors, windows, curtains and the sides of furniture. They can make a room feel taller. Horizontal lines come from items such as tabletops and furniture surfaces, and they ground a room and can make a space feel wider or longer. Dynamic lines are diagonal, zigzag, curved, or otherwise irregular lines. They add interest and variety to a design but avoid too many or your space will feel busy.
Shape
Shapes fall into two categories, geometric and organic. Geometric shapes are those with hard lines and edges, whereas organic shapes are softer and more irregular. You can create harmony in a room by repeating similar shapes throughout the design. Alternatively, you can draw attention to an area or feature by using contrasting forms.
Accessories are a great way to repeat similar shapes or bring in contrasting shapes into your space. To learn more about accessories, simply visit the link below:
Color
Using color is the least expensive and easiest way to modify the mood of your space. Adding a happy yellow or dramatic red to a space, creates an energizing vibe in a room. Whereas a relaxing blue or organic green creates a calm, relaxing space. You can add color with paint, including on walls, trim, and furniture, as well as colorful fabric and decor pieces. I recommend using the 70/30/10 Color Rule, which will help you bring color into all your spaces.
To learn more about the 70/30/10 Color Rule visit my post below:
Texture
To create the right feeling for your space, you will want to add items that you can physically touch and will create visual interest. Texture works best, when you also consider the overall sense or feel that the decor gives. When you look at an item or feature, like flooring or an art piece, consider what texture or feeling you sense from it. Descriptors like “weathered,” “sleek,” “antique,” “plush,” and “luxurious” are all things that are seen as well as felt. This will help you see the sensed texture of an room’s elements when attempting to achieve balance in room.
Pattern
Pattern is simply a repetition of forms or lines that create visual interest. These can be flooring, fabrics, wallpaper, or art. Patterns can easily overwhelm a space, so follow Melanie Coddington’s tips below to get the right balance in your space.
Light
I think it is safe to say that we all crave natural light, which comes from windows, doors, skylights, and solar tubes. In our Coastal Cottage home, we added windows to bring in more light, but luckily the Coastal Modern home has lots of windows. Windows work great for bringing in light, but on cloudy days or evenings, you will need manmade light sources.
A good lighting plan includes multiple light sources that cast light from the ceiling, floor, and the middle of the room. To learn more about creating the perfect lighting plan, visit my post below:
Now that you have a better understanding of these seven critical interior design elements, you can create harmony and elevate the interiors of your home. Let me know how you create harmony in your space in the comments. Please share this post with friends and be sure to subscribe below to receive the latest interior design tips:
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