Well-Designed living spaces flow nicely and create a comfortable place in which to relax and feel peaceful. Some individuals have a keen eye for design, naturally understanding the importance of balance in one’s home decor. Others may need guidance when designing their home’s interior. For these people, learning how to apply a few basic design principles to achieve balance can help them create a feeling of stability and wellness in their homes.
What is Balance?
In interior decorating, balance refers to the dispersal of the visual objects within a space to achieve a feeling of equipoise. In this practice, one must consider the shape, size, texture, and color are all vital factors to consider.
Principles of Balance in Home Décor
There are three types of balance that one can achieve with interior home design. These are symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance.
Symmetrical
Symmetry is considered one of the most basic features humans use to determine the attractiveness of a person or object. With home decor, symmetrical balance is achieved by dividing the room in half with an imaginary line and arranging mirror images of the chosen decor on either side of that line. Using symmetry in home decor creates an environment that minimizes the amount of visual processing a person’s brain has to do and encourages relaxation.
Asymmetrical
Asymmetrical balance is achieved by taking objects that have the same visual weight, but different shapes, colors, or textures, and arranging them opposite each other in a room. An example would be placing one large framed picture on one side of a wall and two smaller framed prints that equal the overall weight of the large one on the other side. Asymmetry provides depth and visual interest to the home and can foster a feeling of authenticity.
Radial
Radial symmetry is achieved by choosing a focal point in the room and balancing objects in a circle around it. All design pieces radiate from that focal point, which draws in the eye. An
example would be a round dining room table with all the chairs and other decorative objects placed around it.
Tips for Balanced Design
With the principles of balance are established, it is time to discuss how to apply them. There are specific steps one can take to achieve the best design for each room in their home. Here are tips on how one can actively apply these principles.
Use Odd Numbers
The best way to achieve asymmetrical balance in a room is using the rule of odd numbers. The idea behind the rule is that groups of odd-numbered objects or images create more visual interest than even ones. An example would be to use three living room accessories, such as pillows of varying sizes and colors, and thoughtfully placing two on one end of a couch and one on the other. The impact of this arrangement is more appealing than that of one in which the pillows are uniform.
Find the Focal Point
The focal point of a room is the feature one most wants to emphasize. This can be a table centerpiece, or a designer rug or piece of furniture. If one finds themselves having difficulty deciding how to decorate a room, then finding a focal point which they want to showcase will help them begin the design process.
Take Measurements
There are measurement principles that are important to follow if one wants to have an artfully designed living space. These include keeping 15” of space between a coffee table and the couch, having 3” of overlap between a window’s edge and the edge of a curtain, hanging wall art at a center-eye level, and leaving 12-18” of space around the edge of a floor rug.
Employ Negative Space
Negative space around or between decor keeps a room from feeling crowded. It is important to avoid clutter when decorating and consider how the shape of each piece of decor or furniture fits near one another. Leaving a space can accent a nearby decoration.
Consider Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element to good interior design, so one should be intentional with the kind of lighting that they enjoy. There are several types of lighting, including ambient lighting, accent lighting, or task lighting. Ambient lighting is soft light that illuminates a whole room. Accent lighting is meant to highlight a specific item, such as photo.Task lighting is designed for a particular job, such as a desk lamp.
Final Considerations
There are few things more enjoyable than relaxing in a well-designed living space. Click here for more information on how to decorate their homes with such beautiful items as designer furniture in Raleigh, NC. With the proper design principles and a sound understanding of how to apply them, one can create a stunning and comfortable home that they will enjoy for years to come.
