Understanding Decorating Space
Concepts for Arranging Furnishings
The fundamental concepts relating to decorating space would include scale, proportion, line, balance, harmony and rhythm.
Understanding these concepts will help you when considering your colors, fabrics, carpeting or any other home furnishings for your decorating plan.
If there are things you don't like in your room it may not be structural but the scale of the objects chosen to fill it or how the furniture is arranged. The living room may not be too small but the sofa is too big.
Scale and Proportion work hand in hand.
In decorating, scale refers to the relative size of a piece to its surroundings and other pieces. For example the size of the furniture should be in proportion to the size of the room.
Proportion refers to the balance and relationship of objects based on the size.
The scale of a petite lady’s chair would be out of proportion if used as a pair next to an overstuffed lounge chair.
Next to consider is line. Simply put line defines your space. Two-dimensional space consists of flat surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings which are formed by intersecting lines.
Add depth or volume to a flat surface and it creates a three-dimensional space.
Vertical lines imply strength, dignity and formality, like a column which appears stately.
Horizontal lines on the other hand convey relaxation and security.
Diagonal lines such as a balustrade express motion and
Curved lines denote freedom and softness.
When you begin to select furnishings, look for ways to incorporate a variety of lines to include into your decorating space and room’s design plan.
Harmony pulls a room together
while Rhythm moves you around the room.
Harmony and rhythm are concepts that concern patterns and shapes and the repetition of them in the decorating space.
Harmony is achieved in design when everything coordinates within one scheme or motif and the elements relate to each other.
Rhythm refers to repeated patterns.
Creating good harmony and rhythm is balance. For example if all of your soft furnishings lean to one side of the room you need to counter the setting with something just as impressive on the other side to balance.
Balance is another important concept related to decorating space. All of the furnishings should be evenly distributed throughout the space.
Balanced relationships between objects can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Symmetry refers to the same arrangement of objects, or mirror images and appears to look formal. Symmetry is characteristic of a traditional setting, and using pairs of items underscore balance.
Asymmetrical arranging is the balance between objects of different sizes and can be every bit as pleasing as symmetry.
But just for good measure, always try to add at least one contrasting element to shake things up for interest.
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