Principles of Design

There are seven main design principles in the Interior Design field. These consist of unity and harmony, balance, focal point, rhythm, and details. If you know these basic design elements you will be able to distinguish the difference between a well designed room and one that is only mediocre. It will also help you in your next designing experience. The above picture is an example of a space designed off  of a few of the principles.
 
Unity and Harmony is the commonality in a space. Bringing this principle to a space would consist of using a consistent them and style throughout the room. Everything in the space should work together and flow. Another way to create unity is through color, for best results here, using three of four different colors will create a successful space. In the room shown above they used unity and harmony through the colors used. The seating ties into the curtains, which ties into the walls, it is a flowing space that keeps your eyes moving.
           
Balance is the distribution of weight in a room. There are three kinds of balance which are symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial. Asymmetrical balance is more popular for interiors at this day and age. The example picture shows this because nothing is centered as it would be with radial or symmetrical. At the same time, it all flows successfully and keeps moving so that is works for this space. The tall walls lead your eyes upward will the low height of the ceiling pulls them down to eve everything out.
           
Focal points are used to create interest in a space, it is dominant and there are sometimes more than one depending on the size on the room. The catch about a focal point is not making it to prominent to where it steals the attention from the rest of the room. The way to doing this successfully is maintain a sense of balance and staying with the theme. The focal point in this room is the window and the large plant and vase to the left.
           
Rhythm consists of the repetition, progression, transition or contrast of a space and is the organized movement that happens. Repetition is in this space through furniture use and line use on the walls. The arched window leads the eye to the lower portion of the space, this is transition. Contrast is used through the black and white houndstooth pillow, which does not go with the space but creates just enough variety to work.
           
The last design principle is details, this is the color and scale used in a space. The scale and proportions works well in this room because all the other principles come together to allow it to do so, from the height of the ceiling, to the lowness of the couch, and then to the largeness of the vase and plants.