Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment for the betterment of human functionality.
2. What is meant by ‘Principles of Interior Design’?
The Principles of interior Design are the ways that designers use the Elements of
interior design to create good Compositions (decoration/arrangements).
Design principles are ways of arranging or organising design elements.
These principles evaluate each element in a design.
The way the elements are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work.
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4. 1. Balance
Balance in interior design refers to the proper distribution of objects in a room to create
visual balance.
Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight within a composition.
Lack of balance disturbs the harmony of a composition.
A work that is unbalanced visually creates tension.
Balance is created when there is an equilibrium of elements that need each other and
together they create Unity.
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There are three different kinds of balance:
1)Symmetrical (formal)
2) Asymmetrical (informal)
3) Radial.
5. Symmetrical (formal) Balance
The easiest way to achieve balance is by using the symmetrical or formal form, objects are
repeated or mirrored along a central axis.
Symmetry is created by dividing a space and the elements within it equally.
Symmetry can create order, formality, calmness and stillness.
Symmetry Makes Design Simple
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6. Asymmetrical (informal) Balance
Asymmetrical design is typically created with an odd number of disparate elements.
Lines, colours, forms and textures are balanced in a space without duplication.
The two sides of a work of art are not exactly the same, but are still visually balanced.
A design effect in which elements on either side of an imaginary central line are
unmatched but appear to be in balance.
Asymmetrical balance makes for a more relaxed and lively interior space.
This balance scheme uses a central line but relies more on the eye's sense of balance to
complete the design.
Asymmetrical interiors tend to feel more dynamic and less rigid because in these spaces a
variety of objects types are working together to create balance.
This form of balance can be more difficult to achieve it often requires an “eye for design”.
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8. Radial Balance
When there is a central focal point with other elements radiating from it or around it, this
is radial balance.
Radial balance is almost circular – distributed arrangement of items around a central
point either extending outward or inward.
You see radial balance less often in traditional homes; round rooms are difficult to link to
other spaces.
But the result can be stunning. The central elements of a radially balanced room — like
the dining table and light fixture in this dining space — Become the immediate focal
points.
The chairs, sculpture and print all radiate out from this central point.
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9. Visual Balance
This is achieved by distributing the visual weight of objects within a space to
achieve a feeling of equilibrium.
The size, colour, texture and shape of an element can change its visual weight.
Very dark or saturated areas of colour, demand attention within a composition.
An area of high contrast, even at a small size, will automatically draw the
viewer’s eye.
Forms placed near the edge of a page can also draw more visual attention than
forms placed directly in the centre of a page.
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10. 2. Space
Space is the area in and around something.
Designing involves arranging design elements in space.
The distance or area between, around, above, below, or within things.
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Three-dimensional designs have:
• form • length • width • height and occupy space.
13. 3. Focus/Emphasis
Accent or importance placed on a part of a piece of Design work.
Focus is used to centre attention.
Focus can be created by contrasting elements so that they attract attention.
Emphasis is simply means that every room or space has a focal point, whether it is
architectural or an object.
A fireplace is the most common architectural focal point.
Oversized artwork or a large piece of furniture can also be a focal point in a room.
Interior design elements like colour, texture and form are used to add emphasis to a focal
point.
14. 4. Rhythm
Rhythm is visual flow: the eye should be able to ‘flow’ smoothly across the room.
Regular repetition of lines, shapes, or colours that create a movement.
Patterns have rhythm .
Rhythm refers to a way of utilizing the art elements to produce the look and feel of
rhythmic movement with a visual tempo.
Rhythm is a feeling of structured movement created by the repetition of elements.
Rhythm can be used to create a sense of movement in, through or around a design.
Repeated elements and the spaces between them make patterns that we experience as
rhythm.
This helps to give a composition visual harmony by creating unity in a layout.
Examples include the repetition of similar shapes, colours or textures.
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15. Rhythm can be accomplished through the following means:
1. Repetition 2. Alternation 3. Progression
Repetition
The repeated use of certain objects or physical attributes of decor elements.
For example: chevron patterns on both your sofa and wall tapestry, a series of similar vases
lining a mantle or a stack of books on a shelf.
Similarly-themed homeware and arts will also contribute to the theme of your interior
design.
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16. Alternation
Alternation is used to create rhythm by alternating two or more elements in a regular
pattern.
The pattern may be ABCABC or ABBABB, but always repeating in the same order
A modular sofa with alternating colours of white and green, placing a small roundtable
between two armchairs, or even differently-shaped wall recesses can achieve this effect,
as seen below.
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17. 17 Progression
Interior design elements placed according to size from smaller to bigger ones, or perhaps
according to the gradient of their colours.
Rhythm can also be achieved through progression. Examples are a gradation of colour or a
series of objects that start small and become large in a very regular manner.
18. 5. Unity
Unity is achieved when all of the different elements in a design work together to create a
unified whole.
Designers use unity to make elements in a composition appear to belong together.
All Parts of a work of art are inter-related, balanced, and organized to achieve a quality of
oneness.
A unified design is greater than the sum of its parts; the design is seen as a whole first,
before the individual elements are noticed .
Unity can be compared to harmony, integrity or wholeness.
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Some of the ways to achieve unity include:
1.Alignment : Alignment consists of arranging elements so that their edges are lined
up
19. 2. Similarity: Repeating colours, shapes, values, textures, or
lines creates a visual relationship between elements, called
Correspondence.19
3. Proximity: Proximity is based on grouping by closeness;
the closer elements are to each other, the more likely we
will see them as a group.
4. Continuation: Continuation means that something
(a line, an edge, a curve, a direction) continues from one
element to another.
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5. Overlapping: Overlapping design elements can contribute to unity by creating
a relationship between separate elements.
