Elements & Principles of Interior Design

1.Line2.Form3.S p a c e4.Texture5.Color

Elements of Design – Your Tools

Element of Line

Line– creates width, height, and the look of movement

Line communicates:◦relaxation (horizontal line)

◦strength, dignity(vertical)

◦action(diagonal) ◦calmness, softness (curved).

Element of Line

The most pleasing effect will have:

• a balanced mixture of lines

• one type of line taking the lead role

• the “lead” line chosen based upon the feeling to be achieved.

Element of Form/Shape

Form is the PHYSICAL SHAPE of objects

It contains volume and mass (height, width, and depth).

Element of Form/Shape

Form can be:Realistic – when it

looks very much like the real thing

Abstract – when it rearranges or stylizes a recognizable object

Geometric – when it uses squares, rectangles, circles etc.

1. The FUNCTION of an item should be considered first before its form

2. RELATED forms are more agreeable than unrelated forms

3. A GRADUAL CHANGE in form smoothly directs the eyes.

Remember:

Element of Form/Shape

Element of Space

Two types of space:

Filled area is positive space

Unfilled area is negative space

Rooms need both of these in balance.

Element of Texture

The way a surface feels (TACTILE) or appears to

feel (VISUAL).

Element of Texture

Fabric has texture The textures of fabrics

need to be compatible but varied for harmony

A faux wall treatment can give the appearance texture

In a monochromatic room, texture is a critical element to maintain attraction.

Element of Color

Color is the most significant element of design

Color can be used to express a person’s individuality or to create a certain mood or illusion

Color can make a warm room seem cooler and make a cool room seem warmer.

Element of Color

Monochromatic – varying values of one hue

Analogous – 3-5 hues beside each other on the color wheel

Complementary – opposite hues on the color wheel

Split complementary - one hue and the two hues on each side of its complement

Triadic - three hues equally spaced on the color wheel.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 13The Psychology of Color

Color influences human behaviorSocial areas should be decorated

in colors that make all members feel comfortable.

Personal areas can be decorated using individual color preferences.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 14Red

Red is bold, exciting, and warm

Red stimulates the nervous system and increases blood pressure, respiration rate, and heartbeat.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 15Orange

Orange expresses friendliness, courage, hospitality, energy, and hope

Orange is cheerful, warm, and less aggressive than red.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 16

Yellow

Yellow is cheerful, friendly, and warm

Yellow is associated with happiness, sunlight, prosperity, cowardice, and wisdom

Yellow makes a room appear light and airy.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 17Green

Green is the color of nature

Green is refreshing, cool, peaceful, and friendly

Green is often associated with hope, envy, and good luck.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 18Blue

Blue is cool, calm, and reserved

Blue communicates serenity, tranquility, and formality

Blue can be depressing if too much is used.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 19Violet

Violet is the color of royalty, dignity, and mystery

Violet is dramatic.

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Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 20Black

Black is mysterious, severe, and dramatic

Black symbolizes wisdom, evil, and death

Black can be oppressive and claustrophobic in large amounts.

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Permission granted to produce for educational use only. 21White

White is the symbol of youth, freshness, innocence, purity, faith, and peace.

Principles of Design – Your Rules

1. Proportion2. Scale3. Balance4. Rhythm5. Emphasis6. Harmony

Principle of Proportion

Proportion is the size relationship within an object or design

Out of proportion is NOT pleasing to the eye.

Principle of Scale

A room is in SCALE when

the dimensions of the objectives in the entire

room are harmonious.

Principle of Balance

Symmetrical (Formal) Balance Asymmetrical (Informal) Balance.

Principle of Rhythm

Rhythm moves the eye from

one area to another.

Repetition - repeating colors, lines, forms, or textures.

Principle of Rhythm

Opposition – lines meeting to form right angles.

Principle of Rhythm

Transition – curved lines leading your eye from one part to another.

Principle of Rhythm

Radiation - lines move outward from a central point.

Principle of Rhythm

Gradation - gradual increase or decrease of color, size, or pattern.

Principle of Rhythm

The focal point that first catches

the viewer’s attention.

Principle of Emphasis

When all parts of a design “agree” either through UNITY or through VARIETY.

Principle of Harmony

Unity - when all the parts of a design are related by one idea.

Principle of Harmony

Variety - combining different styles and materials together.

Principle of Harmony

Finishing

Applying the elements and principles of design takes thoughtful selection and placement combined with imagination

Your eye is the ultimate judge of good design for you

Your may never be ‘done’

It is like raising a child; there is always something to nurture, something to organize, and something that is not going to behave just as you’d like it to. That’s part of the challenge and the beauty.