Decorating with Design Principles (Part 2)
Our first article in the design principles series looked at how using the right design methods can help you create the best possible interior design for your space or business.
● Unity & Variety
● Balance & Symmetry
● Contrast & Harmony
These first principles will help you get down the road of creating a design language for your space.
But to get the most out of it, you need to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and create as many unique spaces as possible in your home or business. This ensures that you aren't repeating designs too often and makes you more aware of simple mistakes that might be detrimental to a good design.
In the second part of our series, let's take a look at a few more design principles you will want to master to truly create a unique design for your space.
Three More Design Principles to Master
When it comes to designing spaces, you already know that there are many things to consider. From furniture placement and color schemes to lighting and art placement, it seems like there is an endless list of design principles to master before your space looks truly fantastic. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be that hard!
Building off of the first part of this design principles series, here are two more principles you should consider when designing your home or other space:
4. Rhythm & Repetition
In terms of design principles, rhythm can be easiest to understand by comparing it to music. Rhythm exists in a song when there is a pattern that repeats, and the main elements of the song stay at a consistent pace.
In design, rhythm can be created in a similar way by using similar decorative items throughout your home. An example would be multiple throw pillows on your couch or as part of any sort of decorating scheme you choose.
Repetition is very closely related to rhythm. It refers to using the same decorative element throughout your home, such as a piece of art that appears on every wall or in several other key areas throughout your room.
5. Proportion & Scale
The idea behind proportion is making sure your design elements are in-scale with each other and in-scale with the space they are in.
For example, if your room is really large (with high ceilings), you may want to make sure that any oversized items you use will still look good and be functional in an ample space. On the other hand, if your room is smaller, it's better to stick to small furniture pieces than try to overpower your room with large items.
Scale is about making sure that the size of certain elements in your room is in line with one another. An example would be an oversized sofa that is placed in front of a smaller TV or painting an enormous image on your wall and then using artwork with a small frame to match it.
6. Emphasis & Focal Points
When it comes to interior design, emphasis is on making sure that certain elements of your home draw the eye more than others.
It's important to make sure that you aren't overusing this principle by focusing on a certain decoration or feature and then using many other decorations in smaller items around it. You want to make sure that every design element is emphasized in some way but not overdoing it.
Focal points are created by emphasizing elements using one of the four main design principles: color, shape, pattern, and size.
It's important to note that these design principles should only be used when they help your design rather than hurt it. Over-designing your space will take away from its beauty and make it more of a headache to look at.
Which Design Principles Should I Choose to Focus On?
Decorating through design principles can be one of the most effective ways to create a room that is unique to you. It allows you to experiment with different art and furniture trends while making sure everything involved remains cohesive.
It's best to start off small-start by focusing on just one or two design principles and then gradually build from there. Here are some tips to help you select the design principles that will work best for your space:
Think about how you want to decorate!
Decorating through color is different from decorating through shape. Create a list of ideas and then decide which principle would work best for each one. Figure out the main idea behind your decorations and choose the one principle that best fits them.
Consider scale.
If you want to use many large decorations, then don't also try to include small ones. Make sure your space is balanced, and everything within it complements each other. Colors are also a good idea for ensuring balance in your room!
Keep additional elements to a minimum.
Decorating through design principles is meant to help make your space functional and cohesive, not the center of attention! If you find yourself trying to do too much with one or more of the principles, it's best to step back and focus on fewer items.
Keep it simple!
You don't need to spend all of your time and money trying to decorate through design principles. Instead, find one that you enjoy and then use it with a few of your favorite decorations. If you end up enjoying the process, then add another principle to your list!
Bring Fresh Life to Your Home with Shamrock Hill Design
If you need help getting started, working with a home design and staging expert is key. At Shamrock Hill Design, our expertise in interior design and more than a decade of experience will ensure that you end up with the home of your dreams.
For more information on our affordable, professional services, visit our Contact Page and reach out to us to get started with a Premium Design Consultation. We will work with you to create an interior design vision that will be fashionable and functional and a reflection of your personality.