What are the 7 principles of interior design?
1. Balance
Balance in design can also be called composition. In a 2-D capacity this is relatively easy to understand. For instance, if you’re designing something graphically on a page it’s about how the visual weight of elements; how they coexist and the effect they have on the white space around themselves. design to create cohesiveness, completion, and satisfaction. To achieve optimal balance, your composition should be balanced vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or background versus foreground.
In terms of the 3-D environment or interior design, balance becomes more complex. Our eyes naturally seek out order and a sense of stability in any visual context or environment. This is also the psychological reason behind why people are more attracted to faces and objects that are symmetrical.
Designs that’s are well balanced usually have a clear focal point in the space. For instance in the home, it could be a fireplace or a coffee table. In a hospitality environment such as a bar or restaurant, the bar counter itself usually dominates. Alternatively, some spaces do not have a focal point at all and use symmetry to create an aesthetically pleasing and well balanced environment. It’s important to identify that a successfully balanced environment is often about more than one element. The designer needs to layer other elements into the space to maintain balance. For example, by adjusting the size, color, shape and texture of the various elements. For example, larger, darker, brighter, highly textured, complexly shaped objects typically feel heavier and require balance through the placement equally “heavy” items or multiple less heavy items.
The balance and harmony of a space can drastically affect how an individual experiences their environment. some designers intentionally create an off-balance design when they have to trigger certain emotions. Perhaps to influence things like how long people stay and use a space or how productive they might be.
2. Rhythm
When people think of Rhythm, they often think of music. However the principles of rhythm can be applied to design and in particular the 3-D environment. To apply this to a three-dimensional space, the concept of rhythm can be broken down into pattern, repetition, and movement.
Rhythm can be seen and heard throughout nature and in our built environment. These three methods of achieving rhythm can be applied to interior spaces as a way to introduce order, interest and focus, and to help lead your eye through a room.
Repetition
This is used by repeating any design element within a space for instance colour, shape, line, etc.
Alternation
Alternation is used to create rhythm by alternating two or more elements in a regular pattern.
Movement (or Progression)
Examples are a gradation of colour or a series of objects that start small and become large in a very regular manner. Throughout a space.
All three methods of utilising rhythm in an interior can be cleverly optimised to manipulate how a user views or uses a space, for example by directing their path of travel, illustrating way finding or even by subtly moving your eye throughout a space to enforce how the environment is viewed and understood.
3. Emphasis
When we take a brief from our clients, we often ask what they want the visual Emphasis of the space to be. Sometimes this relates to the use or function of a space. for example a bar will often be the focal point of a bar/restaurant and so this becomes the Element that we emphasise within the space, to reinforce the function and provide a focal point within the design.
Introducing other elements of design can help create emphasis. For instance, using a contrasting colour or texture will draw attention to a design element. You might also combine this with spot or feature lighting to really draw the eye.
These techniques help create balance and can be manipulated in a commercial setting to help highlight products, services, counters etc within your retail, hospitality or office space.
4. Scale
Scale is a fundamental design element across 2d and 3D applications and is perhaps one of the Easier elements to manipulate for dramatic effect.
Ultimately, scale In the context of interior design relates to how the objects in your room fit into a space. The size of your space is the determining factor. for example, a large warehouse space or barn requires larger impactful furniture and light fittings that fill the voluminous space. In addition spaces like this often benefit from compartmentalisation: I.e. that break up the line of site and create smaller volumes within a space. In contrast, large furniture in a smaller space could be problematic and overwhelm the balance and flow.
5. Proportion
Off the back of discussing scale, Proportion is probably the most logical element to progress to. it’s important to understand the distinction between scale and proportion when it comes to interior design principles.
Scale refers to how well your pieces fit in your space. In interior design and architecture, it is also relative to the human figure; for example, furniture is designed to human scale.
Proportion refers to how well those pieces fit together. ie How the scale of specific design elements work as a whole.
Most people can tell when the scale or proportion of something doesn’t work for a space or looks out of place. For example, when placing and sizing artwork.
A key tip when considering proportion:
Use the rule of thirds. It’s a great principal to fall back on when grouping items because it generates good rhythm and balance. Similarly, using odd-numbered grouping such as three or five, and varying the height and size to create a uneven pattern is often more visually appealing than equal numbers which can feel contrived and disproportioned.
6. Light
Controversially, we believe that one of the seven core elements of interior design is light. Many designers think more fundamentally about key elements and limit their basic design tools to more classic two-dimensional components. However within a three-dimensional environment, the effects of light really play a key role to how that space is interpreted visually.
Light can be broken into the categories of task lighting (defined purpose), accent lighting (emphasising objects) and mood lighting (adding ambience).
When designing a lighting scheme, it is important to address the activities that will be undertaken in the space. For example, an office will require bright lighting so that the workers can see clearly and safely where is a restaurant can be approached with a softer more ambient touch. Almost as important as function, light has the ability to set the mood and atmosphere of a space, whilst acting as a visual feature in their own right.
Natural lighting and versatility of light should always be taken into consideration. For example, how does the light level and type need to change throughout the day to respond to the buildings use?
Where do we want to optimise lighting within a space to create contrast, emphasis and drama? Where do we need consistent light to aid movement around or use of the building?
7. Contrast
Contrast is what people mean when they say a design “pops.” It’s very easy to identify within a graphic design two dimensional page. A graphic design or artwork that uses contrast well will come away from the page and stick in your memory.
Within an interior this is much more difficult to define. Contrast creates space and difference between elements.
You need to understand how to use and navigate space in order to create contrast throughout a design. Which elements become your background? What order are people going to see each individual element in? What needs to be highlighted in order to create contrast? Elements might need to be significantly different so they work harmoniously together and are readable.
Strong contrast between minimal elements can often create a well-balanced design. As you add additional elements, you dilute and confuse the purpose of your design. However, a design with little or no contrast often be very harmonious as a design. The way in which contrast is amplified or muted can be manipulated to suit the purpose or style of design you are trying to achieve.
