Interior design is the art of making architectural spaces aesthetically pleasing through planning and designing. This is done for both residential and business spaces. Any area needs to be pleasing to the eye. Not only does this improve the functionality of the room, but it also improves the quality of time spent there.
Even though professionals can design spaces with the utmost quality, not everyone can depend on them. Once one understands the basic concepts of interior design, it becomes easier to create cohesive elements and designs. This also includes learning about all the different items in use, from fabric beds to pencil pleat curtains.
3 Design Principles of Interior Designing
It is vital to know the principles of design when approaching them. They guide everything from colour choices to furniture placement. They are:
1. Style
Choosing one before starting the design can help in keeping the space focused. There are enough design styles to select from. These styles often come with their own choices in colour schemes, floor plans, and other elements. Try to go through as many styles as possible and consider all options before choosing and sticking to one idea.
2. Focal Point
A focal point is just the principal area of attention within the space. This can be anything from a beautiful piece of furniture to art. For example, a thick fabric bed on a sleek cot can be used as the focal point in a bedroom. The idea is to centre other elements around the focal point, creating a flow to the space. While having a focal point is good, too many can make the area overpowering and disrupt the flow.
3. Balance
There should be a balance between the elements within a space. The balance is of visual characteristics and how they create contrast. This can be because of the scale, position, texture and colour of the elements. Proper management of these subtle contrasts can help in achieving balance and complete the space.
Interior Design Tips
After going through the basic concepts, one can start working on their project with ease. Here are some tips that will help beginners complete an interior design project.
1. Expenses
There are a lot of avenues to splurge money when it comes to interior design. High-tier expensive items are available in every domain of products. The best way to utilise one’s budget is to buy the big furniture pieces like beds and couches first and fill the gaps with other elements. This allows more money to be used on major focal points providing better options.
2. Lighting
Improper lighting can make even the best designs look hideous. Maximum utilisation of natural lighting is recommended. Light coloured walls can also help with dark spaces. Accent lighting can also be used in addition to overhead lights to draw attention to elements like art pieces.
3. Accent Pieces
It is natural to want the focal point to be as appealing as possible. But one should keep in mind that accent pieces play a vital role in making the space feel personalised and creating visual interest. Some examples of accent pieces include bowls, vinyl records and books.
4. Liveability
A living space is not supposed to look like a showroom or a picture from a magazine. Liveability should be a guiding factor in designs. The design principles and concepts should be used for augmenting this, creating a perfect balance between visually pleasing and ease of use.
