Interior design concepts help decorators and designers create timeless interiors. BoCo Interior Designs guides you through the 7 principles of interior design, as well as the 7 elements of interior design, while providing you with examples for each concept. Whether you're building, decorating, or remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, or bedrooms, these interior design concepts offer a number of satisfying ideas for your next interior design project. Symmetric balance is a simple way to create balance.
This method consists of dividing the space into two equal parts and making sure that they reflect each other. For example, a bedroom with a bed in the center and two identical bedside tables on each side uses symmetrical balance. Asymmetric balance is a contrasting alternative to symmetric balance. You can use different shapes and sizes in your space while still looking balanced and cohesive.
For example, instead of having two identical sofas on either side of a living room, a sofa and an armchair can be used to create a visually interesting contrast between sizes. To achieve a more complex approach to balance, radial balance uses a focal point in the center of the design and creates a circular effect with the way the other components are arranged around it. The focal point can be anything from a fireplace to a chandelier. This radial balance style draws attention to the center of the room where the focal point is located.
Unity is an essential aspect of interior design for a harmonious and cohesive space. This can be achieved in many ways, for example, using complementary colors, certain shapes, patterns, or specific elements, such as Roman or roller blinds, or custom wallpaper, all related to a common theme. The main way to achieve unity in a room is to ensure that there are no aspects that clash with each other or that seem discordant or out of place. Beyond the scope of a single room, larger-scale unity can be achieved throughout the house if you find a style or theme that you can adhere to.
This theme could be something like a certain color palette that is woven into all the rooms. While each room may have its own unique aspects and components, ensuring that all of these tie in with a specific aesthetic or design will create a sense of unity in the home. Rhythm isn't just for music, it's also an important aspect of interior design. This can be implemented in a space in a number of ways, such as repetition, transition, progression, or contrast. The most common way to use rhythm in a space is to repeat similar shapes, patterns, or textures throughout the space.
The rhythm can be implemented in each room and throughout the house as a whole. This rhythm can be achieved in many different ways, for example, using the same finishes or hardware in the kitchen or bathroom, or similar furniture styles throughout the house. The principle of emphasis in interior design is to draw attention to a certain aspect of the room by using an accent such as color, pattern or texture. This principle works especially well in combination with radial balance, as both work to focus on a central point in the room. Color is a great tool for creating emphasis.
Painting an accent wall with bold colors or adding vibrant color accents to a certain area can truly transform a room. The scale and proportion of the objects in your room is extremely important and is largely determined by the size of the space. For example, it is important to take into account the size of the room and the height of the ceilings and to make the furniture and decorations fit them. As you work to achieve your vision, an interior designer can suggest renovations that allow you to scale accordingly, so it's important to understand the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. A room with higher ceilings will benefit from taller furniture and focal points, such as bookshelves, while these same pieces would overwhelm and clutter up a smaller room.
Scale and proportion can also create a visually interesting space when experimenting with objects of different heights and dimensions. The height of your artwork on the wall, potted plants or bookshelves can add dimension and help cultivate a visually stimulating environment. The final touches of a room are what really bring it together and show your personal style. By focusing on small details and including specific things you like throughout the space, you can create an environment that's visually interesting and unique to you.
These details can be anything, such as the patterns on the sofa cushions, the kitchen and bathroom accessories and hardware, or even the door handles all over the house. The color, texture, patterns and design of these items add a personal touch to the space. Smaller details leave a much bigger impact on a room than one would expect and truly transform the space. Space is the framework for all the basic elements of interior decoration.
Every design project begins with an evaluation of the space or room in which you will create, design or remodel. When space is filled with design elements, it's called positive space. When space in a room is intentionally left empty, it's called negative space. This first element of interior design helps the designer to focus on the balance between positive and negative space.
Start by visiting the space you are going to design and get the dimensions of the room, as well as taking note of the angles, windows, doors and walls that invite or inhibit movement. Color is another fundamental aspect of the 7 elements of interior design. The colors usually serve to unify the space, with furniture and finishes that have complementary tones. Even when color is used to create emphasis, there are basic interior decorating elements, such as the 60-30-10 color rule, that help balance any space with a coherent palette. The last element of interior design is the pattern, which introduces repetitive shapes, themes and textures to create emphasis, contrast and rhythm.
Repetitive decorative elements can also unify a larger space and introduce scale and proportion. The patterns are particularly pronounced on fabrics, wallpaper, tiles and carpets and usually accentuate a room in contrast to more neutral elements. So what's the difference between these elements and the principles we discussed earlier? Interior design principles are guidelines used to create visually appealing spaces, while interior design elements are what are used to comply with these principles. You can think of the elements of interior design as the physical tools or the basic components that are used when following the principles of interior design. For example, by focusing on the principle of contrast, I would primarily use the elements of light and color.
For a comfortable living space, think about both practicality and aesthetics. As a general rule, you should leave 45 cm between the seats and the central coffee table; a little less may seem like a squeeze, but much more can be uncomfortable when it comes to picking up a drink or a book. When you are going to hang pictures and pictures, don't place them too high. They should have a human scale. The perfect height is at eye level, i.e.
approximately 145 cm from the ground to the center of the image. Some of the world's best interior designers ignore the principles and elements of interior design and are praised for proving them wrong. As explained by the interior design experts at Heal's, each room needs a piece that attracts attention or an emblematic piece; something that surprises, delights and impacts your room. The interior design experts at Heal's share their basic interior design rules to help you create the home of your dreams.
Interior designers choose the color and textures of a space based on the availability of natural lighting or the need for artificial lighting. The principle of emphasis, therefore, requires choosing an element of the room that serves as a center of attention, around which the rest of the decoration will revolve. Interior design principles are the rules and guidelines that designers follow to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. The Banish Clutter Forever toothbrush principle is a simple method for tidying up your home, whether you live in a huge house or a small flat. Olivia has written about homes and interiors for the past seven years, and her work has also been published in House Beautiful US, Elle Decor US, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Red, Prima, Town & Country, Elle Japan, Modern Living and Micasa Magazine.
Balance applies to smaller details, such as the way to decorate a bookcase, and to larger projects, such as kitchen remodeling, renovations and the personalized interior design of the home.
