Introduction to Interior Design

What is interior design?

Interior Design

To create a functional and beautiful living environment.

Elements of Design

• The guidelines used to create pleasing designs are called the elements and principles of design.

• The elements of design include:– Space– Line– Form– Texture– Color

Elements of DesignThe guidelines used to create pleasing designs are called the elements and principles of design.

Space

Shape

Line

Texture

Color

SpaceThe area between objects in a room

• Different sized spaces convey a range of feelings.– Large, open spaces give people a feeling of freedom

and luxury.• Too much open space can make people feel lonely

and uncomfortable.• Rooms with high ceilings or too few furnishings

can have this effect as well.• Empty parts of room may look larger than smaller

areas containing furniture.– Crowded spaces with too much furniture may make

you feel confined.• Or they may make you feel snug and secure.

Arranging Space

• Two general choices– Fill the space or leave much of it empty.

• To make a smaller space appear larger, keep as much open space as possible.– You might also install mirrors to visually enlarge a

room.– Choose dual purpose furniture

• A shelf unit with cabinets, a seat with storage,

• For large space, divide the room into different areas.– By arranging furniture in small clusters and using

area rugs to visually divide a large room.

What are your feelings about this space?

ShapeThe solid form or structure of

an object.

LineThe outline of an object

2 points that are connected

They give direction and divide space.

TypesHorizontal

Vertical

Diagonal

Curved

LinesVertical lines– feeling of power, dignity and strength, height

Lines

Horizontal lines—sturdy, calm, restful

LinesDiagonal lines—create activity, excitement and motion

Lines

Curved lines—soften objects, graceful and delicate effect

Creating Effects with Line

• A variety of lines is desirable in a room design.

– When people see a line, their eyes tend to follow it.

• Line adds height (such as homes with tall windows)

• Low sofas can draw your gaze around the room and create the illusion of greater width.

• By aligning the tops of picture frames you can create the effect of a continuous line.

What types of lines do you see?

Describe the line used here.

Texture

The way an object feels and looks.

May be rough, smooth, shiny, hard, soft, etc.

FormalSmooth texture

InformalRough texture

Color

One of the most important tools

Influences how people feel and the mood of the room

Principles of Design

Harmony

Proportion

Scale

Balance

Rhythm

Emphasis

HarmonyCombination of

variety and unityUnity: The room is tied together with a common denominatorVariety: There are different shapes, colors and objects in a room

Proportion Scale

The way that one part of the object relates to the whole of the design.

Golden Mean

The way an object relates to another object.

Effective ratios:

2:3, 3:5, 5:8, 4:7

Balance

The feeling of rest

Equal weight on all parts of the room

Formal

Both sides are the same

Informal

Sides are different

Informal Balance

Formal Balance

Is this formal or informal balance?

Rhythm

The feeling of movement in a room.Moves your eye from one point to another.

What moves your eye through this room?

RhythmRepetition—a design tool is repeated

Rhythm

Transition– how one part of the design changes to another part

RhythmRadiation—moves your eye out from a central point

Rhythm

Gradation—moves you eye from light to dark or from small to large

Emphasis

The focal point of a room

Focuses your attention

Is it beautiful?

Industrial Traditional Contemporary

Country FrenchRococoAsian