You may not be a trained interior designer, but you can learn a lot about how to decorate your office space by familiarizing yourself with some basic principles of interior design. Interior design can be a lot of fun; choosing all of your elements and putting in the work yourself leads to great pleasure when it comes time to experience the end result. These seven interior design principles will get you started on the right path to developing your own beautiful interior design.
Balance
There are three kinds of balance to consider when planning an interior design. The first type of balance is symmetrical balance. Symmetrical balance is what you see in traditional interior design. It consists of placing like objects in the same position on either side of a vertical axis. For example, matching sconces might be hung on either side of a fireplace at the same distance and height, or mirrors might be placed on either side of a window.
Asymmetrical balance is more casual and tends to bring a feeling of movement into the space. Asymmetrical balance is obtained by placing different objects that have comparable visual “weight.” Asymmetrical balance can be difficult to achieve, but when done well, it provides a relaxed, inviting interior design.
Radial symmetry consists of arranging all of the objects in the room around a center focal point. One example of this is a spiral staircase.
Focal Point
Every room needs at least one focal point to capture the attention of the inhabitants and draw interest. An integrated feature of the room, like a fireplace, makes a great focal point. If there isn’t an architectural focal point present, you can create a focal point by placing a large piece of furniture or painting one wall a contrasting color.
Repetition
Repetition is used to carry the design of the space through and form a cohesive appearance. You can use repetition through your choice of paint colors, patterns, or textures.
Progression
Progression means taking a group of similar things and gradually adjusting one of their properties. For example, a tray of candles of various sizes shows progression. You can also use progression in color by painting each wall a slightly lighter hue of the original color.
Transition
Transition is used to lead the eye from one place to another. An archway between rooms is one way to use transition to direct your vision toward a particular feature.
Contrast
Contrast, in small doses, is an important way to create visual interest. Contrast means simply bringing in two opposite elements, such as black and white or circles and squares. This is a very easy concept to apply; the difficulty comes in knowing when to limit it.
Scale and Proportion
Scale and proportion focus on the size and shape of the objects in a room and how those dimensions relate to one another. For example, you might examine the size of a piece of furniture relative to the room itself and the other objects in the room to determine whether it is appropriately scaled and proportionate.
These basic concepts of interior design will put you on the right track to understanding and applying interior design principles in your office space. If you are interested in gaining the assistance of a professional interior designer, contact LDB design. At LDB design, we provide interior design services for commercial and institutional locations. We are also LEED certified and accredited, so we can help you to design a space that is beautiful and energy efficient. To get started on your interior design plan, call LDB design.
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