Good interior design is more than simply buying new furniture, it’s achieving a perfect harmony between space, purpose, and visual appeal. When a room is in balance, it just feels right. The minute you walk into a space, there shouldn’t be a need to ponder why it feels so good; instead you should feel comfortable and at home.
The very first thing to do if you want to develop your design eye is to understand the basic concept of balance in interior design.
- Space Is Key
Before you add the first piece of furniture, you have to appreciate the space it occupies. Every room is different. Some have different dimensions, layouts, natural light levels, or other physical features. You need to work with the space to create your best interior, not against it.
And empty space isn’t just empty; it’s essential to an interior that breathes. A space that allows plenty of breathing room will feel more relaxed and organized. When used correctly, even a simple design will look beautiful.
- Form Follows Function
A well-designed space must first meet your personal functional needs. If a room looks beautiful in pictures, but fails to support the activities of the homeowners, the interior design has clearly failed. You need to know how you’re going to move around, sit and lie on furniture, work and play.
Once you’ve understood the practical needs of the room, you can apply the style you like to that particular space. Furniture, storage, and the movement path are all aspects that need to be carefully considered and planned if you want an interior that feels great in everyday use.
- Balance Creates Harmony
This is what makes a room feel balanced. It’s not about creating symmetry, it’s about using a visual weight to create a sense of calm in the space. Large furniture items can be balanced with smaller items, and just as you have to be mindful of furniture placement, you have to consider how to leave space free of furniture. Too much furniture can make a room feel cluttered. An empty room can also feel uninviting. But you have to strike that delicate balance to create a great interior.
- Color Sets the Tone
Color is perhaps the most powerful element of interior design. It sets the tone, and defines the mood and character of the space. Pale colors can make a small room feel larger. Darker shades can make an interior feel cozy and intimate. A strong interior color scheme usually uses a limited range of colors to create a mood, rather than using many bright shades that could make the interior feel busy.
- Light Makes the Difference
Light is an element that is often overlooked, but it transforms the look of a room completely. Sunlight brings the interior to life, making an interior look spacious. Artificial light, on the other hand, can create different spaces and focus.
Good interior design should use multiple sources of light, not just one.
- Materials Give a Room Character
You need to decide which materials you’re going to use in your design. The materials you use can help to create your style and character. Wood and stone create warmth, metals create a cool feeling, and glass creates a more modern interior. A variety of materials can be used to create visual interest, but even the simplest of spaces need to use texture to make it complete.
The Take Home Message
Good interior design is not about just throwing items into an empty room to see what works. It’s about taking a considered approach to the space. Every aspect, from the layout, materials, to the lighting, should be considered and weighed.
Once you know how balance works with all the aspects of interior design, you can move from decorating to designing. That’s when interior design really begins.