7 Rules of Interior Design that every designer must know

In order to achieve a good composition, it is essential for an interior designer to be well versed of the seven rules which should be completely defined and organised. To stay in the world of interior design, here are few of the seven principles which is essentially required to understand the significance of it.

1. Unity
If you are using all the seven elements, it should maintain uniformity, a proper consistency and regularity. It should not appear too irregular while you view some objects. The sight as well should not be unusual to look at. A balance and uniformity should be maintained. A visual guide to a person is what interior designer is. Anyone can get confused so easily is there is no perfect visual guide which a sage interior designer can only understand. A good understanding of Alignment of objects, similarity and correct combination of colour / pattern / texture, Proximity ( spacing ) of objects, Repetition ( grouping ) of elements based on similarity, Continuation and Overlapping of interior design elements are a few ways to achieve amalgamation in an interior design.

2. Balance
Balance here refers to balance of a human sight. This is the golden rule of interior designing. A human sight prefers object having perfect balanced shape and size. The very fundamental of balance refers to the organised disbursal of equal sight to achieve equilibrium. One can achieve balance by distribution of actual weight around central or an imaginary pivot. There are three most common ways through which we can achieve Balance namely Symmetrical, Asymmetrical and Radial. In Symmetrical, a space is divided into two equal parts centred on a central axis. Both the equal parts are used in such a way as that it maximises the positivity in and around the house. Any uneven number of elements or objects can be used around an imaginary and central axis as the focal point in an Asymmetrical Balance. Radial balance involves a central piece (like a chandelier or a round dining table ) from which all other elements seem to radiate to arrange themselves in circular symmetry.

3. Rhythm
A contiguous movement between different elements or objects is the known principle of Rhythm. This movement plays a very essential role in maintaining a visual tempo have different sights of various elements. The repetition and space between elements create a real rhythm which is the basic fundamental for interior designer. One can achieve Rhythm via three commonly known methods i.e. Repetition , Alternation and Progression. Repeated use of design elements such as pattern, texture and colour or any other object/attribute in any particular order is what Repetition Rhythm. Alternation is the method of creating rhythm by alternating two or more elements in a pre- defined fashion like ABABAB or ABCABC and so on. Elements are arranged either in ascending order or in descending order on their sizes when Progression Rhythm comes into picture.

4. Emphasis
Any art piece of any furniture must play the role of pivot or attention grabber of any available space. It is again an important principle of interior design which we call Emphasis. For a particular pivot point, pattern , texture or colour must be accordingly used. It should be proportionally used to keep the object synchronisation intact. Central located point should dominate the surrounding decor items and should be used in the best possible way. Other items surrounding the focal point should complement the latter in order to share a contrast but it should not look strange or queer.

5. Contrast
The difference in the colour of any object or the difference which can be seen is called contrast. Such objects differentiate each other in interior design. Though it should not look too peculiar that it changes the entire concept. Here contrast can be achieved by these elements – colour, space and form. Colour simply means that how you coordinate the colour of each object; whether be it a wall or a ceiling, you have to match and coordinate the objects. Prints can also be used while coordinating the stuff used in the house. But do not go beyond something that can make it look uglier or too stuffed in. Always try to maintain a peaceful and serene atmosphere by using light colours and coordinate it with different forms of objects that sync properly. Space out each object equally. Do not stuff too much together at one place. Make each object distinguishable. Keep a balance between all the objects and use the space efficiently.

6. Scale and Proportion
The principles of scale and proportion ensure that objects placed in a space look like they belong to each other. The size, dimension, shape or colour of the objects, adds harmony and syncs the objects and make it appear in proportion.
For example, a high ceiling implies that high rise furniture should be preferred over low rise furniture. At the same time, an understuffed pillow would make a big sofa look empty and non – accessorized. This will thus disrupt the harmony
and proportion of the furniture.

7. Details
Interior designing adds its own charm in the house and make it look unique. But it is up to you that how you want it to look. Those intricate designs on the cushions and those embroidered covers and runners with lovely patterns of delicate hard work have always added uniqueness and charm to that upholstery. This is just like an icing on the cake and without this sweet froth, the cake is incomplete as well blank. Such delicate work adds to the distinctiveness and improves an overall view of your house.