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Interior Design & Decor
Elements of Interior Design
Whether you are working with existing
furnishings and fabrics or “starting from scratch” with an empty
room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as
a guide in choosing everything. The elements are your tools or raw
materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter. The
elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture.
The principles of design relate to how you use these elements and
are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and
unity.
Element #1: Space
Space defines the boundaries and sets the limits on the functional
and decorative things you can do. Usually you will not determine the
space; instead, you will be faced with the challenge of using the
existing space effectively.
Element #2: Line
The lines in a room are second only to color in importance when it
comes to setting the overall mood or feeling of a room. The lines of
window fashions should support the dominant line of the room. In
most situations, the dominant line is straight (vertical, horizontal
or diagonal) rather than curved. Your choice of emphasizing the
direction of lines will determine the mood you want to create.
• Vertical lines add height and dignity, creating a more formal
atmosphere. Vertical lines also balance the horizontal lines found
in most furniture.
• Horizontal lines tend to create a restful, informal feeling. They
work well in casual rooms or as relief to the strong verticals of
formal rooms.
• Diagonal lines attract attention and lead the eye. They can be
disturbing unless supported by verticals or opposing diagonals.
• Curved lines add a softening effect and keep the room from
becoming too stiff. Use curved lines with some restraint to keep the
room from becoming too soft and overly feminine.
Element #3: Form
Lines that join together produce the form, or shape, of an object,
which in turn impacts the overall feeling of a room. Straight lines
create rectangles, square and triangles. Curved lines form circles
and ovals. The rectangle is the most popular form and is often the
dominant shape in a room. Triangles provide stability and curved
shapes soften the contours of objects.
Element #4: Color
More than any other element, color can make a room beautiful. Color
can set the mood. It can make a room warmer or cooler, larger or
smaller. It can hide unsightly features or call attention to the
center of interest. Even with the simplest furnishings, the proper
use of color can transform a room.
Element #5: Texture
Texture is playing an increasingly important role in home
decorating. Visual texture is a material’s apparent smoothness or
roughness. To maintain and enhance a casual feeling, use fabrics
that are more heavily textured, nubby or rough visual texture.
Smooth, shiny surfaces such as silk, moiré, chintz and silk-like
looks support a more formal feeling in a room. Using several levels
of complementary textures adds variety and maintains interest.
However, it is a good idea to avoid dramatic contrasts in texture.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
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Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
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