Interior design is a science as much as it is an art.
Professional interior designers usually follow a set of informal rules to create stunning spaces.
They are known as the Seven Elements of Interior Design.
By understanding what they are and how they work, you too can transform any space to look fabulous.
1. Space
Space is the foundation of a room. It refers to the two-dimensional floor space, as well as the three-dimensional volume in a room.
There are walls, floors and ceilings as your boundaries, and you think not only of length and width but also of the height of the space.
By categorizing the Space elements we can achieve greater precision.
That is divided into two types which are
1. Two-Dimensional Space – which covers the floor and includes length, width
2. Three-Dimensional Space – Which is a geometric three-parameter model of the living space which includes length, width and height.
Another thing about space is the concept of positive and negative space.
In interior design, the empty space is considered a “negative space”.
While, when objects are inserted into the empty space such as furniture. Then space is treated as “positive space”.
Maintaining, the balance between positive and negative space is really important for any interior designer and either overcrowding or skimping on the furniture items is going to affect their equilibrium.
There must be a balance between these two so that your room looks neither crowded nor empty.
How to Create a Space Plan
1. The Bubble Plan:
To start a space plan is basically done by rough drawing and in the drawings through the map by the space shows by creating a bubble plan.
A simple diagram is given by our expert interior designers team that will show you what activities take place in the space and the relationship between these activities is described in the bubble plan.
2. A detailed Scale Plan
Try to get as large a piece of paper as possible to make it easy.
I suggest getting a large A1/A2 piece of card and some pencils to do this with.
You can then erase any mistakes you might make.
Draw your space to scale on the piece of paper that includes window, door, built-in cupboards/shelves, fireplace and lighting placements.
To see all the fixtures and features on the plan you want to be able to perform.
For your office or home interior design select the best interior designers in Bangalore and make a list of everything you would like to have in the space and create scaled paper cutouts for each piece.
To create your space plan you can then start placing these scaled pieces of furniture into your rooms.
This will start to bring your space to life and show you how it will be able to use the room.
2. Lines
Another element leveraged by interior designers is to shape how our brain perceives space in line. There are three main types of lines:
· Horizontal
· Vertical
· Dynamic
For example, if you want a more earthy, secure, cosy and stable feel, use horizontal lines. Vertical lines, on the other hand, make spaces feel lofty and airy.
Horizontal Lines
For a more tranquil and peaceful feeling to a room, use horizontal lines.
They ground the space and make it feel wider and more expansive.
However, if you have too much of this design element, your space can quickly become dull, lacking the visual appeal that comes with vertical and dynamic lines.
Vertical Lines
Perpendicular to horizontal lines, verticals draw your eyes upward.
For example, if your home boasts amazing tin ceiling tiles, a good interior designer will incorporate vertical lines that subconsciously lift your eyes up to highlight that feature.
However, if vertical lines are used too frequently, it can cause people to feel confined.
Dynamic Lines
These lines suggest movement and stimulation. They are active and encourage your eyes to “move” in the direction of the line or notice the pattern.
Zigzag, angular, and curved lines fall into this category, as each provides a different movement or effect on the feeling of a room.
Zigzag and angular lines give energy and life to a room, while smooth and curvy lines promote softness, smoothness and balance.
Perfect lines are shown in this example from Tailored Living. Image attributed to.
3. Form
The form is the shape of the room, as well as any objects within the room.
In other words, it relates to the physical form of anything that is three-dimensional.
Forms can usually be described as either geometric or natural.
Geometry refers to hard lines and square edges, often looking man-made, while natural relates to more organic forms that seem to be created by nature. Forms can also be open – objects that can be looked into or closed – self-contained.
Another thing to take into consideration with form is the proportions and scale of the room compared to the objects being placed within it.
Adding forms of similar shapes can create harmony and balance while adding too many differing shapes can have a confusing result.
A space is typically more pleasing if the dominant form is repeated in minor objects throughout the room.
This room is purposely styled to show unconsidered elements of design, with jumbled shapes and overcrowded space. Shutterstock Stock Image
4. Pattern
A pattern is a collection of lines and forms, making it a part of the “line” family of elements along with the form.
Like shapes, patterns accentuate a certain part of your interior, be it the ceiling, stairs, or walls.
You can accomplish this effect with a bold statement wallpaper or loud colour pop on a wall.
Patterns don’t have to be married to the walls.
You can use them anywhere, from the grain in wood to picture frames, drapes, pillows and more.
Incorporating patterns into your home presents an endless array of options.
It could be of any shape and also have repetitive designs but most of them are attractive.
A design pattern that takes the shape of a droplet-shaped vegetable is one of the most commonly used patterns on wall paints, pillow covers and other decorative surfaces.
This Pattern gives you the ability to bring energy, interest and contrast into your design, and when patterns are done well they bring a room together and give depth to your space.
From minimal to eclectic, traditional to modern, pattern plays a part in every interior style and it’s worth considering as you make design decisions.
Here is my point of view to say about the possibilities of the pattern.
The importance of Patterns:
1. Pattern adds drama
The ready pattern helps to create drama in space; they are likely to be the feature in your home that creates wow factor.
I have seen and shared my points of patterns that make you take a second look and for all the wrong reasons.
But done right, patterns will be the hero of your design.
2. Pattern gives dimension and direction
Your room gets a depth view with creative patterns.
A pattern whether it is decorated as a print on the wall or the layout of tiles on the floor or wall has the ability to take a plain, two-dimensional surface and give it almost a 3D presence.
People can sometimes avoid patterns for fear that they may distract from an overall design, but my opinion is that pattern brings more dimension to a room while drawing your eye to a focal point.
3. Pattern brings energy
Repetitive usage of patterns brings energy to you.
One timber panel by itself would seem insignificant, but when it is repeated over and over again along a wall, there is an energy, a sense of movement; the repetition takes you on a journey.
5. Light
Natural or artificial light is a crucial aspect of any space.
Besides its functional purpose, light can set the mood and atmosphere of any room as well as define colours, textures and lines.
Light can be divided into several categories, such as Task Lighting – as the name suggests, it is providing adequate light for tasks to be carried out.
Accent Lighting – focuses light on an object or area to highlight it.
Backlighting and uplighting are examples of accent lighting.
Mood Lighting – sets the mood or atmosphere of a space. When thinking about light, it is important to consider what activities will be conducted in the room.
For example, a study or workspace will need plenty of light so people can easily see what they’re doing, while a living room may need a softer lighting scheme.
For versatility, use dimmers. Lighting fixtures can add dramatic and stylish touches to rooms.
When you design the lighting for a space, consider the amount of sunlight that you get in the room, and then you think about the three kinds of artificial light – ambient, task and accent lighting.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting illuminates the entire space.
These are usually found overhead, like flush or semi-flush fittings, chandeliers, and even wall lights.
It’s best if these lights could be in different circuits so you don’t have to turn everything on.
You can also have the lighting installed with dimmers so that it would be easier for you to create the mood you want.
Task Lighting
As the name says, task lighting is to light up specific areas where you want to do something.
Examples of these are a desk lamp for a working area, a reading lamp on the bedside table, recessed kitchen lights for the food prep counter, cabinet lighting that turns on when you need to get something inside, or a picture light for your favourite wall painting.
Accent Lighting
These are the lights that give character and beauty to your space.
It could be those pendant lights that give your dinner table a rich flair or a favourite quote in neon lights installed on your wall.
The function of accent lighting is primarily to create that ooh-la-la factor you’d like in your home; providing illumination is a secondary function.
If it can do both in equal measure, then give yourself some brownie points!
6. Texture
A Texture refers to the surface of the object. Texture often overlook, but it has the ability to bring a unique dimension of the room.
Textures are described as physical texture or visual texture.
Physical texture involves tactility, meaning that when you touch an object, you get the feel of it, whether it’s rough or smooth, cold or warm, soft or hard, and so on.
It is about the variations and feel of a surface.
Visual texture, on the other hand, is the illusion of the textures of a surface.
For example, you have an oil painting of a hot summer day at the beach hanging in your living room.
It may feel hot and humid when you look at it, but when you touch it, the painting is actually flat, and may be smooth and cool to the touch.
Both physical and visual textures add to depth, interest and detail to a room.
Combining different kinds of textures gives character to a space.
For example, you can have a rough wooden headboard, soft linen sheets, a warm woollen blanket, the coolness of the metal lamp or table legs, the roughness of the dried flowers, and the smoothness and warmth of a polished wooden floor.
The mix of textures in this room gives a very comfortable, warm and welcoming vibe that invites you to get into bed and snooze.
Actual Texture
This is how a material truly feels. For example, silk feels smooth, whereas linen can be crisp and rough. Leather, on the other hand, is also smooth but looks completely different from silk.
Visual Texture
Visual texture is how something appears to feel to your eyes. For example, stone wallpaper isn’t exactly the same as actual stone, but it gives the illusion of stone, which is more rustic and traditional than it is modern.
7. Colors
Now we’ve reached the seventh element – colours. Saving the best for last.
Colour is the element that can set the mood, either liven it up or tone it down.
Colour creates the ambience in a room. It is also the element that unites all other elements in the room or highlights a particular texture, pattern, line or form.
Do you like to have a space that gives you a feeling of balance with just a glance? Colours.
Do you want to make a room seem brighter or darker? Colours.
Do you want to make a space larger or smaller? Colours.
How about giving a space the feeling that the vertical dimensions are higher or lower, or that the horizontal dimensions are wider? Yes, colours again.
So, these are some of the basic elements and principles of interior design.
You should really keep these factors in mind and apply all these elements in your house or office.
By doing so you can easily achieve a beautiful and attractive interior design for your space.
Interested in decorating the interior of your home in a fresh and exciting way, but don’t know where to start? Contact iScape Interiors today, and our interior designer will personally walk you through your options!
Recent Comments