If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed when designing or decorating a room, you’re not alone. That’s because there are countless decisions to make. From picking the right paint color to choosing furniture that fits in the space and everything in between it can be daunting.
But, this is where the seven elements of interior design come into play. While you may think interior design is rooted solely in creativity and personal preference, there’s a science behind the decisions we make and these seven elements will help anyone from the novice to the expert create a finished and aesthetically-pleasing look.
Space
This is the first and perhaps the most important design element as it’s essentially the blank slate to build out your plan. To avoid overcrowding the space with big furniture and too many decorations or to make it feel scant with barely anything there, focus on the length, width, and height of the room.
All of these dimensions give you a 360-view of the entire space which will help you make more informed decisions when it comes to furniture size, open space for people to easily navigate in and out of the room, and much more.
Ensure your room is proportionate by balancing the “positive” and “negative” space. As a refresher, positive space is where you’ll place the objects of your room while negative space is the open areas.
Finding equilibrium between both will help you lay out the room in a way that’s not overwhelming.
Lines
The lines of the room can play a major role in the look and feel of a space. Horizontal, vertical, and dynamic lines can work independently or together to create a sense of cohesion and structure.
Tables and chairs are classic examples of horizontal lines while doors, windows, and tall furniture lend themselves to vertical lines.
Finally, dynamic lines such as diagonals or an attention-grabbing feature can be infused into the space to add depth and dimension.
Form
Just as we mentioned in the first design element, understanding the size and shape of not only the room but the furniture and design items you’ll choose is important.
A major component of this interior design element is making sure your choices are balanced and proportionate with the room in its entirety.
Light
When possible, make sure every room has a mix of natural and artificial light. Both sources of light can be adjusted whether it’s with custom wood shutters, hanging mirrors to reflect more light, or using various artificial light sources with a dimmer switch to easily manipulate the lighting to your liking.
No matter the source, remember that light has the power to influence the overall mood of a room.
Color
Speaking of mood, in addition to lighting, color can also be used to bring a room to life. Not to mention, color has the power to either expand a space or make it feel smaller and cozier.
When picking color, be mindful of the room’s function, when the room will have the most natural light, and the overall look and feel you’re trying to achieve.
Texture
From the finish of furniture to the hardware pieces and adding accent pillows and throw blankets to area rugs and more, there are a variety of ways to add texture to a room.
Mix and match finishes and fabrics to add depth and varying points of interest in your space.
Pattern
Much like texture, choosing patterns can help bring life and dimension to a room. When choosing a pattern, keep the other design elements of the space in mind. While you want the pattern to pop, you also want it to blend with the space and overall aesthetic.
Keep these seven elements of interior design in mind for your next home project to give the space a balanced and refreshed look.
