Interior designers don’t randomly pick items and hope they get a room right. Getting the perfect lamp placed on the nightstand doesn’t make us hear angels sing. We use fundamental principals that help us achieve desired results. Using recurring pattern, color and elements in a space creates balance and rhythm. These basic concepts in interior design lead the eye around a room and make for a sense of harmony. Cue the angels.

Balance in design helps a space to feel calm, curated and purposeful. There are two types of balance: symmetrical and asymmetrical. For those of us that are traditionalist or tend to be on the OCD side, symmetry is where you will always lean. Symmetry is created by placing items as if they are mirror images; for example, matching nightstands on either side of a bed with matching lamps. Asymmetry is a little harder to create. It melds with the eclectic and bohemian lifestyles, and allows a designer to get out of the box. A gallery wall is a great example of asymmetry. All the art may not be the same size or even framed the same, but by using a common color palette or frame shape, a pleasing wall arrangement can be created. Often times our architecture drives how we design. Let’s think of a room with a fireplace centrally located on a wall. You can create symmetry by placing twin sofas facing each other in a seating area. Or…. you can create an asymmetrical arrangement by balancing a sofa on one side with two side chairs on the other. Balance can be tricky. Having too much symmetry will make the space feel flat, stodgy and stuffy, while being too asymmetrical with make the room feel chaotic and unsettled. Interior design is a craft that we have honed over time.

Rhythm encourages the eye to move in an organized way around a room. Much like hearing rhythm in music, seeing rhythm in design helps us feel the heartbeat of a space. Unconsciously we see rhythm all around us. It occurs organically in nature, like the petals of a flower or it happens purposefully in building like the columns on a porch. The patterns created make our eye move in a certain direction leading us to the next design selection. There are three elements to rhythm: repetition, alternation and progression. Repetition is simply repeating an element within a space. Maybe it’s using the same color on different items or even the same pattern in opposing colors. Alternation is another option. It’s similar to repetition but a little more complicated. When making a tablescape think of like items in similar shape or size that you can arrange in an every other one style (like candles and flowers in vases on a long dining table). And then there’s progression. Progression can be gradation of color or even arranging items from small to large. One way of organization as of late has been to arrange items in rainbow color order. This is a great way to get kids to help in design. Rhythm goes hand in hand with balance to make spaces comfortable and pleasing.

If you are feeling like your space is out of balance and you’re not feeling the rhythm, give our design team a chance to help you create harmony in your home.

Stylishly yours,

The Chelsee Sowder Design Team

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