7MostImportantInteriorDesignPrinciples

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At the end of this article youll be able to recognize and use the basic interior design principles used
by every interior designer to create a great design, and who knows maybe youll also save some
money, or start a new career ! Now lets begin with the beginning, and undestand what interior design
is
Interior design is the process of shaping the experience of interior space, through the manipulation
of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. Not to be confused with interior decoration, interior
design draws on aspects of environmental psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to
traditional decoration.
An interior designer is a person who is considered a professional in the field of interior design or one
who designs interiors as part of their job. Interior design is a creative practice that analyzes
programmatic information, establishes a conceptual direction, refines the design direction, and
produces graphic communication and construction documents. In some jurisdictions, interior
designers must be licensed to practice. Source :Wikipedia
Now that you have an idea about interior design, we can move forward and learn something really
useful, the principles of interior design. Lets begin !

When doing interior design it is necessary to think of the house as a totality; a series of spaces linked
together by halls and stairways. It is therefore appropriate that a common style and theme runs
throughout. This is not to say that all interior design elements should be the same but they should
work together and complement each other to strengthen the whole composition. A way to create this
theme or storyline is with the well considered use of color. Color schemes in general are a great way to
unify a collection of spaces. For example, you might pick three or four colors and use them in varying

shades thoughout the house.

In a short sentence for those who just scan this article balance can be described as the equal
distribution of visual weight in a room. There are three styles of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical,
and radial.
Symmetrical balance is usually found in traditional interiors. Symmetrical balance is characterized by
the same objects repeated in the same positions on either side of a vertical axis, for example you
might remember old rooms where on each side of a room is an exact mirror of the other. This
symmetry also reflects the human form, so we are inately comfortable in a balanced setting.
Asymmetrical balance is more appropriate in design in these days. Balance is achieved with some
dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Assymetrical balance is more casual
and less contrived in feeling, but more difficult to achieve. Asymmetry suggests movement, and leads
to more lively interiors.
Radial symmetry is when all the elements of a design are arrayed around a center point. A spiral
staircase is also an excellent example of radial balance. Though not often employed in interiors, it can
provide an interesting counterpoint if used appropriately.

Interior designs biggest enemy is boredom. A welldesigned room always has, depending on the size
of it, one or more focal points. A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting
enough to encourage the viewer to look further. A focal point thus must have a lasting impression but
must also be an integral part of the decoration linked through scale, style, color or theme. A fireplace
or a flat tv is the first example that most people think of when we talk about a room focal point.
If you dont have a natural focal point in your space, such as a fireplace for example, you can create
one by highlighting a particular piece of furniture, artwork, or by simply painting a contrasting color in
one area. Try to maintain balance, though, so that the focal point doesnt hog all of the attention.

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If we would speak about music we would describe rhytmas the beat of pulse of the music. In interior
design, rhythm is all about visual pattern repetition. Rhythm is defined as continuity, recurrence or
organized movement. To achieve these themes in a design, you need to think about repetition,
progression, transition and contrast. Using these mechanisms will impart a sense of movement to your
space, leading the eye from one design element to another.
Repetition is the use of the same element more than once throughout a space. You can repeat a
pattern, color, texture, line, or any other element, or even more than one element.
Progression is taking an element and increasing or decreasing one or more of its qualities. The most
obvious implementation of this would be a gradation by size. A cluster of candles of varying sizes on a
simple tray creates interest because of the natural progression shown. You can also achieve
progression via color, such as in a monochromatic color scheme where each element is a slightly
different shade of the same hue.
Transition is a little harder to define. Unlike repetition or progression, transition tends to be a
smoother flow, where the eye naturally glides from one area to another. The most common transition
is the use of a curved line to gently lead the eye, such as an arched doorway or winding path.
Finally, contrast is fairly straightforward. Putting two elements in opposition to one another, such as
black and white pillows on a sofa, is the hallmark of this design principle. Opposition can also be
implied by contrasts in form, such as circles and squares used together. Contrast can be quite jarring,
and is generally used to enliven a space. Be careful not to undo any hard work youve done using the
other mechanisms by introducing too much contrast!

Another important element of interior design where it is necessary to take infinite pains is details.
Everything from the trimming on the lamp shade, the color of the piping on the scatter cushion, to the
light switches and cupboard handles need attention. Unlike color people find details boring. As a
result it gets neglected and skimmed over or generally left out. As color expresses the whole spirit and
life of a scheme; details are just as an important underpinning of interior design. Details should not be

obvious but they should be right, enhancing the overall feel of a room.
Scale and Proportion These two design principles go hand in hand, since both relate to size and
shape. Proportion has to do with the ratio of one design element to another, or one element to the
whole. Scale concerns itself with the size of one object compared to another.
Color Colors have a definite impact on the atmosphere that you want to create when doing interior
design. A more detalied post about how colors affect our moods you can find here.

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26 comments
Modern Flat Modern Living
JULY 21, 2007 AT 14:04 PM

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Fantastic article.
>it is necessary to think of the house as a totality
I think you should put this in bold because its probably where most people go wrong right of the start.
Great explanation of the different design elements/considerations also.
Pete

Michael
JULY 21, 2007 AT 17:28 PM

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Im glad you like it.

Michelle
JULY 22, 2007 AT 16:04 PM

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That was very interesting. That gives me a good idea of the role of an interior designer. It gave me fresh ideas
and a nice beginners lesson.
Thank you

Novi
JULY 29, 2007 AT 12:38 PM

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Thanks for the post!

ankeet
SEPTEMBER 3, 2007 AT 03:44 AM

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In my opinion the report is FANTABULOUS and makes someone like me who is a novice to perceive the basic
fundamentals of POD thoroughly.
Wishing you best of luck for future!

marianna
SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 AT 02:33 AM

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Do you have any info on LINES of Interior Designing???? and how to spot the LINES in a picture???
Thank You

susant
MAY 15, 2008 AT 11:13 AM

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well: its really an iconic article about the interior design.I, m damn sure that ill save my money if do the
continous visit to your website; instead of doing a part time course.
It would be a better plat form for the freshers, if some more information like; basics in size and scale
measurement are added to the article.
THANKS and Awaiting for favourable artcles.

joey
DECEMBER 1, 2008 AT 16:14 PM

marvin
JANUARY 26, 2009 AT 20:28 PM
you guys dont have better things to do than this it is torture ={

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Sheik Mohamed I
JANUARY 28, 2009 AT 13:45 PM

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Very nice article. pls continue on for more such articles. my best regards to the author

marvin and seide and pablo

JANUARY 28, 2009 AT 20:32 PM

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what is this? i am right in the middle of computers class

researching about stupid unity and harmony and I get this!!!!!!
dont you guys have better things to publish,although some of this
houses are coollll >

billy boob
JANUARY 29, 2009 AT 17:22 PM

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This page sucks maybe some of us like our houses how it is !!!!!! Good Day !!!

Yo Daddy
JANUARY 29, 2009 AT 17:28 PM

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Marvinnnn , this is Amanda [: Im incomputers as of now . This project is hard .

big boy
JANUARY 29, 2009 AT 20:49 PM

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this is a very important aspect but dude it sucks

angiephalange
FEBRUARY 18, 2009 AT 21:55 PM
ahh.. i hat this project!! oh, hi amanda its me angelica!!
lol ;D idk what im doing right now supposed to be researching!!

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Theresa

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JUNE 9, 2009 AT 06:55 AM

Unity and Harmony, Rhythm, etc. are elements of Design, which is general in nature.

I am glad though that you mentioned focal point and details which makes this a useful Interior Design 101
article.
Thanks!

Christy

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OCTOBER 10, 2009 AT 21:50 PM

Please, if you are planning on writing an internet or any other type article, use spell check before finishing. The
authors grammar is very distracting and makes the article somewhat confusing. Having said that, your
information on interior design is useful.

Granujilla

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FEBRUARY 18, 2010 AT 01:15 AM

Look like some people dont like this aticle, I sugested to them that they dont read it.
From my side Im interior decorator student and I think is realy helpful. Thank you

Organizing the Home for Medical Supplies and TLC | Maryjean Wall
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 AT 01:13 AM

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[] step. Making the home more amenable to caring for those in recovery also involves taking the same design
principles that any home can benefit from. Theres a lot of room for spontaneity and improvisation, and []

consiso
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AT 07:07 AM

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you no this work is only for a good boy like me if you see my face i sure your become a guy yack guy ihaet guy
like you but ilove people sorounding at me

Petus
NOVEMBER 28, 2010 AT 21:46 PM

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I know nothing about design theory but I have creativity, I am studying the principles of interior design to use
better my natural skill. Even though english is not my first language, the vocabulary used in the article was easy
to understand and I it get across the ideas. Thank you very much.

fleur
FEBRUARY 7, 2011 AT 03:26 AM

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Great tips. Do you run courses remotely online???. Id really love to see some examples of interiors that tick all
the fundamental boxes. I seem to be able to pull some elements together, but not all at once, its not easy!
Look forward to more posts from you. Regards, Fleur

paulo colley
APRIL 27, 2011 AT 20:54 PM

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I make Petuss words my words

that was really good and helpful.
many tks for your time to post it

Divine Aquino
MAY 1, 2011 AT 04:09 AM

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In the principles of design, balance strives to make the elements of an interior gain equal attraction so that the
eyes of the onlookers, visitor, and the inhabitants of the house may find the room looks restful. If that is so,
emphasis contradicts balance since it talks about focal point; an element such as sofa in the living room for
example attracts the eye. Where balance speaks of equal attraction, equal weights of the furnishings and visual
balance, emphasis is all about making an object or two to be dominant while the rest of the elements are only
subordinate. These two principles confuse me. I dont know how to apply these two.

Rishipratim Guha Mustafi

JUNE 23, 2011 AT 08:52 AM
Thanks! The information was very useful.

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bhoxz

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 AT 21:09 PM

haha i like the interior design fail!

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