Elements of Interior Design - Interior Design Article

By:Kathy Iven

Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or “starting from scratch” with an empty room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing everything. The elements are your tools or raw materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter. The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to how you use these elements and are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and unity.

Element #1: Space

Space defines the boundaries and sets the limits on the functional and decorative things you can do. Usually you will not determine the space; instead, you will be faced with the challenge of using the existing space effectively.

Element #2: Line

The lines in a room are second only to color in importance when it comes to setting the overall mood or feeling of a room. The lines of window fashions should support the dominant line of the room. In most situations, the dominant line is straight (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) rather than curved. Your choice of emphasizing the direction of lines will determine the mood you want to create.

• Vertical lines add height and dignity, creating a more formal atmosphere. Vertical lines also balance the horizontal lines found in most furniture.

• Horizontal lines tend to create a restful, informal feeling. They work well in casual rooms or as relief to the strong verticals of formal rooms.

• Diagonal lines attract attention and lead the eye. They can be disturbing unless supported by verticals or opposing diagonals.

• Curved lines add a softening effect and keep the room from becoming too stiff. Use curved lines with some restraint to keep the room from becoming too soft and overly feminine.

Element #3: Form

Lines that join together produce the form, or shape, of an object, which in turn impacts the overall feeling of a room. Straight lines create rectangles, square and triangles. Curved lines form circles and ovals. The rectangle is the most popular form and is often the dominant shape in a room. Triangles provide stability and curved shapes soften the contours of objects.

Element #4: Color

More than any other element, color can make a room beautiful. Color can set the mood. It can make a room warmer or cooler, larger or smaller. It can hide unsightly features or call attention to the center of interest. Even with the simplest furnishings, the proper use of color can transform a room.

Element #5: Texture

Texture is playing an increasingly important role in home decorating. Visual texture is a material’s apparent smoothness or roughness. To maintain and enhance a casual feeling, use fabrics that are more heavily textured, nubby or rough visual texture. Smooth, shiny surfaces such as silk, moiré, chintz and silk-like looks support a more formal feeling in a room. Using several levels of complementary textures adds variety and maintains interest. However, it is a good idea to avoid dramatic contrasts in texture.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: interior design, interior decor, interior decorating, decor, decorate, design, decorating, drapery, fabric, upholstery

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

About the Author
Kathy Iven, Columbus, OH
kathy@fabricfarms.com
Kathy Iven is the owner of Fabric Farms Interiors, located in Hilliard, OH. Fabric Farms Interiors specializes in home décor fabrics and trims. They also offer custom drapery, bedding and upholstery services. The company was founded in 1971 and is the largest home décor fabric store in Central Ohio. To learn more, visit www.fabricfarms.com All rights reserved.

Top Interior Design Articles
1). 7 Steps for Easy Elegance: Visually Enhance Any Room with Panel Molding By : Patricia Tomaskovic Panel molding dates back to the Georgian period of the 1700’s. Georgian architecture is characterized by a sense of proportion and balance. Symmetry and adherence to the classical rules were valued as regular and desirable. Today, panel molding is used to break up large surfaces, which adds a formal feeling to most designs. It is also utilized as a border separating colors or textures.
2). Heart of the Home - Faux Finishes For Kitchen Cabinetry By : Jay Dorman Faux finished cabinets are finding a welcome home in today's kitchens. From the most timeworn distressed looks to high-end lacquered finishes, a decorative painter can add just the right touch from his artist's pallet to create the exact design and style most appropriate for your dream kitchen. As we all know so very well, the kitchen is the heart of the home.
3). Fireplace Decorating Ideas For Your Home By : Charles Kassotis Experiment with your fireplace décor to make your home even more comfortable and appealing.
4). Curtains Can Decorate Either Your Window Or Your View By : Keith George Curtains are materials that are hung over a window for decoration and other purposes. The main purposes are to provide privacy, block sunlight and decoration.
5). Have You Considered Bamboo Blinds for Your House or Apartment? By : Paul Duxbury Bamboo Blinds can make an interesting and effective addition to the home.
6). French Country Kitchen Design By : jmahoney A kitchen can be more than just about its role in function, organization and efficiency. Kitchens need a personality and a look and feel that can liven up the senses in addition to being a functional place for the preparation of food. The French Country Kitchen design is one of many classic kitchen design themes that you could consider. It can provide your kitchen with a traditional look that has its roots in the hillsides of rural France.
7). Futons beds By : Roger King The word futon comes from the English spelling for a Japanese-style bed known as a "shikibuton," or floor mat. The classic Futon sits straight on the floor though there are now many designs of the bi-fold that have legs The first futon introduced into American culture was constructed of a simple cotton mattress that could be placed directly on the floor and easily folded to save space.
8). Tips For Bathroom Design By : John Francis You might be building a home and designing an entirely new bathroom. Maybe you're remodeling and adding a new bathroom or changing an existing bathroom. In any case, you have a certain amount of room to work with. Here are some ideas. First, list the items you absolutely need in your bathroom. This list includes, of course, the toilet and the sink.
9). Modern Furniture 101 By : Megan Roberts As the name suggests, ‘Modern Furniture’ is furniture of our times that is comfortable, affordable, and stylish to match modern tastes and perspectives. Technically speaking, the phrase Modern Furniture refers to furniture from the latter half of the 20th century and on into contemporary styles of today. A microscopic view of this kind of furniture reveals that designers more often than not use the phrase for furnishings manufactured in the 50s and 60s in post world war II America, and to a lesser extent in Europe.
10). Choosing A Window Covering By : T Nacc There are many ways that you can decorate your windows. You have the choice of horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, shutters, or even roller shades, and that is just to name a few. Before you head down the road of confusion you should begin by asking yourself a few questions. What kind of space are you working with? Do not only focus on the window space but take a look at the whole room.

New Interior Design Articles
1). Choosing The Best Hardwood Floor By : Terry Gates With over fifty species of wood to choose from, determining which one is best can seem like a daunting task.
2). Get Some Spice In The Bedroom With A Mexican Decorating Theme By : Lee Dobbins Is your bedroom dull and bland? Why not spice it up with a bit of Mexican home decor?
3). How to Have a Fun and Functional Kitchen By : Kathleen Frassrand No more boring and bland kitchens. It is time to take control of the most important room in the house. Bring flair to the kitchen, and smiles to your face
4). 7 Steps for Easy Elegance: Visually Enhance Any Room with Panel Molding By : Patricia Tomaskovic Panel molding dates back to the Georgian period of the 1700’s. Georgian architecture is characterized by a sense of proportion and balance. Symmetry and adherence to the classical rules were valued as regular and desirable. Today, panel molding is used to break up large surfaces, which adds a formal feeling to most designs. It is also utilized as a border separating colors or textures.
5). Saving Money with Kitchen Cabinet Refacing By : jmahoney Want to remodel your kitchen but think I would be to costly? Then consider kitchen cabinet refacing. The cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is considerably less than the cost of completely gutting your kitchen and in a much shorter time period. Kitchen cabinet refacing can be a terrific option to consider if you want a whole new look to your kitchen without breaking your budget.
6). Tips For Bathroom Design By : John Francis You might be building a home and designing an entirely new bathroom. Maybe you're remodeling and adding a new bathroom or changing an existing bathroom. In any case, you have a certain amount of room to work with. Here are some ideas. First, list the items you absolutely need in your bathroom. This list includes, of course, the toilet and the sink.
7). The Bedroom Refuge By : Parvati Markus Is your bedroom a haven — a sanctuary where you can rest and rejuvenate? If not, here are some suggestions for making your bedroom into the room that provides peace of mind along with bodily comfort. Your bedroom reflects who you are. So the first question is, how do you see yourself? Imagine yourself in different settings. Does traditional furniture.
8). Take Your Kitchen to the Country By : Parvati Markus Tired of the ultra-modern black and white and chrome of your kitchen? Have you gone beyond the desire for sleek minimalism and long for the comfort of a warm and cozy country kitchen? Many of us spend a lot of time in our kitchens, so comfort is right up there with convenience. Here are some ways to create that feeling of warmth in your kitchen. Let’s start from the bottom up.
9). Let There Be Light in Your Bedroom! By : Parvati Markus Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and then the light slowly starts returning to the northern hemisphere. But that still means we have many months of the year when our bedrooms get very little or no light in the mornings, when we get up, and are dark long before we go to sleep. If you’re someone who gets blue without enough light in your life, try brightening up your bedroom by making it feel like summer! Think summer.
10). What to do With a Large Kitchen By : Parvati Markus Everyone loves a big kitchen. There’s lots of room for more than one cook, and enough space for informal dining. However, a large kitchen can sometimes feel cold and uninviting. By following certain guidelines, you can have a warm and cozy kitchen no matter the size. First, consider the scale of your furniture when decorating a large kitchen. You’ll want a substantial table with comfortable seating rather than a small café table.