Grand Designs

Interior design is a fascinating subject for those of us who love spaces, furniture, fabrics, colours and textures. Understand the principles of interior design and you can make your home look fabulous without having to spend a fortune.

Firstly, don’t consider designing your home all at once. That would just be overwhelming and confusing too. The best idea is to take it a room at a time and consider it as a series of independence spaces brought together via your hallway. As such it’s a good idea to have a common theme running throughout (ie shabby chic, Victorian, modern etc) but each room can be individual too. In other words, the rooms should complement the whole.

Colours for Interior Design

Colour is a great place to start when it comes to redesigning your home. Choose a handful of colours and use them throughout your home in various degrees of shade. This in itself will prove unifying. However, remember that colour affects mood so think carefully about colour scheme in particular rooms. Also take into account the actual size of the room eg dark colours in a smaller space such as the bathroom will seem to shrink the space still further.

Aim for Balance in a Room

By this we mean make sure things fit ‘visually.’ There are actually three types of balance you can achieve in terms of interior design - symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

An example of symmetrical balance would be a matching pair of ornaments at either side of the fireplace or two identical poufs at either side of the settee. Asymmetrical balance is aimed at a feeling of movement where the ornaments of furniture aren’t the same but still stand out equally in a room. Radial symmetry involves arranging furniture and other items around a central point eg a wood burning stove hanging from the ceiling in the centre of a room.

Repetition and Contrast in Interior Design

In terms of repetition we are referring to the same pattern, texture, or colour scheme, repeated in a room which, in turn, creates a visual ‘rhythm.’ This is where custom made curtains in a particular pattern match those of the cushions and maybe even a beanbag or, if it’s the kitchen, a table cloth and napkins. This has the effect of encouraging the eye to move from one matching item to another.

Contrast, on the other hand, is the opposite of repetition and involves clashing colours or textures put together eg circular cushions on a geometric and very ‘boxy’ looking sofa.

Grand Design From One Item

Your entire design theme, colour or texture for a room can be sparked by the presence of one item eg piece of furniture such as the headboard of a bed, a large and ornate chandelier or an unusual covered sofa.

Never feel self-conscious about getting your grand designs out there.’ After all it’s your home and you who will be living with it. And who wants to be surrounded by uninspiring magnolia walls?