Home décor is much more than aesthetic appeal and has a lot to do with the soul. How your space looks and feels directly impacts your mood whether you are aware of it or not. An interior with a lot of natural light filtering through the space makes it feel warm and light. Which in most cases will leave you feeling optimistic and energised as opposed to an interior with limited natural light. This can amplify feelings of depression and uncertainty.
Although interior decorating and designing is an acquired skill, one that requires lots of research and tons of practice you too can achieve an almost designer like space with a few tips and tricks. Decorating principles assist in combating issues like tight spaces, spaces with limited natural light or uninteresting interiors. Using these simple principles will help you achieve a harmonious, Feng Shui interior. This article will serve as a guideline for you to create a beautiful, functional space.
1.Emphasis:
This is a point of interest in a room called the focal point. The focal point can be either fixed like a fireplace or large windows or it could be something you decide on, like a feature wall or a brightly coloured piece of furniture. This must grab the attention of anyone who enters the room to be considered a focal point. For the visual interest of the room make this feature bold and detailed to break the monotonous feel of an interior.
Image: Photographer unknown, My modern house.info.
2.Contrast:
Creating contrast in a space makes it exciting. This does not need to be dramatic and loud. The trick with creating contrast in a room even one that is neutral is making sure that you mix different shapes, patterns and textures in a room. A velvet couch on a mohair rug with a cotton scatter cushion and a marble coffee table instantly creates contrast in a room. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colours. There are many ways to achieve harmony in a space with contrast.
Image: Photographer unknown, We Heart It on Pinterest
3.Rhythm:
Rhythm in a space is created by repetition and contrast. The careful consideration of both allow the eye to move freely through the room. What you do in your space should automatically encourage the eye to move around. For example, a trio of mirrors on the wall keep the eye moving from one point to another.
Image: Terrence Chin, The Local Project
4.Balance:
Balance in a room is created by equilibrium in a space using visual weight. This is done by using either Symmetrical balance of asymmetrical balance. Symmetrical balance is a lot more formal is style. What happens on one side of the room is mirrored on the other with the exact items and exact visual weight. Although asymmetrical balance is not the use of mirror image equal weight is distributed. This is done for example by having your couch on one half of the room and on the other an occasional chair, side table and pot plant. They most probably weigh the same making the weight distribution even. Using asymmetrical balance as opposed to symmetrical is in most cases more visually interesting however for a beginner symmetrical balance would be easier to achieve.
Image: Photographer unknown. Delightful unique lamps
5.Scale and proportion:
This principle plays a major role in decorating your interior. The scale of something refers to the size of the objects within the space whereas the proportion is the size of the objects in relation to each other. The best way to figure out whether your scale and proportion work well together is by creating an invisible triangle in the space. See if your items create a step movement with your eye. The back of the couch is higher than the side table which is higher than the actual seat of the couch that is is higher than the coffee table which has a slight height difference to the ottoman on the floor. The same applies to objects on the table lamp is taller than the vase which is taller than the candle that is taller than the book.
Image: Sourced from Studio McGee. Designed by Alyssa Kapito.
6.Harmony:
In order for you interior to be considered harmonious all the above mentioned must work together seamlessly. Both style and composition of the interior should be thoroughly thought out. This principle can be the first to consider when working on your space. Select an aesthetic style that best suits you which will serve as your guidelines to decorating your interior.
Image: Photographer unknown. Sourced from South Shore Decorating Blog
Now that you have the principles to get you started with your interior, we can now show you how to make your space more contemporary and on trend with our Trends list and Shop it I like it, a feature with carefully selected items from local store to achieve a desired look. Share your comments and questions below on how we can make your decorating experience fun.
