A look into the six basic rules every good interior designer knows including how to use the right colour schemes, balancing out the room, and more.
People all over seek out interior design advice. With a vast amount of information available today, anyone who has ever decorated or remodeled their home believes they know best. However, the only person who can decide what makes a home comfortable or attractive is the person actually living there.
Overall, interior design should reflect the inhabitants of the home rather than the latest and greatest design trends. Those looking for a little guidance, should follow the six basic interior design rules that professional interior designers use.
Interior Design Rule 1 – Proportion and Scale
When designing a room, it is important to take into consideration the size and space available. It would be a major design faux-pas to put oversized furniture into a small room. For example, a dining room table built for twelve would not look appropriate or even fit into a dining room designed for a family of four.
Interior Design Rule 2 – Balance
There are two common approaches to creating balance within a room. Some choose to work with symmetrical balance. Symmetrical balance is when interior designers arrange items in a visually symmetrical way. For example, a couch with an end table on each end.
Other designers focus on using asymmetrical balance. Asymmetrical balance does not focus on mirroring items on either side, but rather balancing things visually through the use of a variety of items. For example, an entertainment center may have a group of small pillar candles on one side, while a group of small frames balances out the other side.
Interior Design Rule 3 – Contrast
Items through the room should contrast to help create interest. Interior designers use the decor in the room to maintain a single style through the use of a variety of elements such as colours, sizes, patterns, textures, and so forth.
Interior Design Rule 4 – Colours and Textures
Following colour and texture rules can be the most daunting part of interior design. Colour choices will vary from person to person and not everyone agrees on what matches and what does not. However, there are some basic colour schemes that many interior designers use.
Anyone who is designing a room in their home must realize that not all colour schemes or textures will appeal to everyone who enters their home. That being said, they should focus on their own needs and wants, rather than worry about what others may think.
Interior Design Rule 5 – Rhythm
Going hand and hand with contrast is rhythm. While it’s important to create contrast for interest, it’s also important to keep a rhythm throughout the room. Using a single colour or pattern and repeating it throughout the space helps create rhythm in a room.
Interior Design Rule 6 – Harmony
This rule can only work when all other basic elements of interior design have been followed. Harmony will occur within a room when there is proper balance of proportion, patterns, colour, textures, contrast and rhythm.
Overall, these rules work hand in and together to create works of art in a variety of professions.
