The document discusses the fundamental elements and principles of interior design, including scale, proportion, color, texture, line, and balance, highlighting their impact on the perception and atmosphere of a space. It emphasizes the importance of light and color in influencing mood and the overall design aesthetic, as well as the role of patterns and material textures in creating visual interest and harmony. The document outlines various techniques for achieving a cohesive design, such as unity, rhythm, and juxtaposition, ultimately aiming to create inviting, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environments.

1. THE ELEMENTS
AND PRINCIPLES
OF INTERIOR
DESIGN
BY: SKYLER LEVI
ID 00 FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Spring 2023

3. Scale
Human Scale
The size of an object or space in
relation to the human body.
• The larger than average sized
couch, coffee table and seats bring
the eye down and make the room
feel more casual and welcoming.
• High ceilings could potentially feel
overwhelming, so layering a few
over-sized pieces helps to ground
the room.
Architectural Scale
Tells the story of how it feels to be in
that space.
• High, dramatic ceilings enlarge this
space, making it feel open, airy and
opulent.
• Floor-to-ceiling windows provide
ample daylight which brightens the
room, making it feel soothing and
peaceful.
Unexpected Scale
Using an item with unusual
proportions where it can impact the
room by giving it the “wow factor”.
• This room is spacious and
accommodates the oversized, low-
hanging pendant lights. Grouped
together they resemble a beautiful
chandelier and are delicate in a
dramatic way.
• The tall doorway adds to the
openness of the space while the
steps leading up and and out create
another level of intrigue and
excitement.

4. Proportion
Color
Lighter, cooler colors give the room an
airier feel, and can be used to open a space;
while warmer, brighter colors have the
opposite affect, and bring the room in. The
color scheme can alter the perspective of a
room, making it appear bigger, smaller,
taller or wider.
• The cool, muted shades chosen for this
room, enhance its spaciousness.
• Light colors allow the eye to travel
effortlessly around the space and
highlights the intricate architectural
detailing.
Texture
Rough or busy textures can make a
room feel casual, cozy and more intimate;
while smooth or plain textures can make a
room feel formal, elegant and more
spacious.
• The texture of the walls and sofa soften
and elongate the room.
• The rough, natural wood coffee table
and matching poufs bring the eye back
toward the center of the room, instead
of letting the high ceilings and
windows carry the eye up and away.
Line
Vertical lines direct the eye upward
making an interior ceiling appear higher
and evoke a sense of strength and stability.
Horizontal lines visually expand a space
and can give a room a more contemporary
feel. Curved lines can make a room feel
soothing and calm by creating a sense of
gentle movement.
• The tall windows are elegant and
luxurious paired with long, flowing
French-vanilla curtains.
• The horizontal lines along the layered
ceiling, window-seat and wall niches
elongate the room.
• The curved lines on the window seat
and sofa give the room a whimsical feel
and guide you gently through the
space.
Light
A brightly lit room will make the room
appear large and open and a dimly lit room
will make the room appear small and cozy.
• The ceiling-high windows provide this
room with ample natural light and its
softness against the muted tones gives
this room a feeling of peacefulness and
serenity.

5. Visual Balance in interior design is the
equal distribution of visual weight in a
room. Balance is achieved with the
placement of similar objects, combining
rough and smooth textures or the way that
the eye is guided around and through a
room. Crytallographic balance finds
harmony through repetitive patterns
created by light shining through a surface.
The variety of smooth and rough
textures in this room has a dramatic and
cohesive impact. The rough textured,
wooden table and chairs have a heavy
visual weight and along with their dark
grey color, keep the eye centered instead of
getting carried away by the vastness of the
space.
The large, bright windows are
balanced by the negative space in the wall,
and the fresh air from an open window
can breeze across the room. With the use
of soft, feminine curved lines, the eye is
guided toward the stairs, up and out of the
large archway which frames a flirty
vignette of the next room. I imagine the
sunlight shining through the wall cut-outs
creating crystallographic designs in the
next room.
Balance
Balance can be achieved symmetrically,
asymmetrically and radially. Symmetrical
balance is achieved when objects on either
side of a central axis are mirror images of
one another. Asymmetrical balance is
achieved by using unlike objects on either
side of a central point with the same
perceived visual weight. Radial balance is
when items are distributed evenly around
a central point and radiate outwards.

6. Rhythm
In interior design,
movement is created
when elements are
repeated, alternated,
progressed and
transitioned in a space.
Repetition is three or
more of the same size and
type of object repeated in
progression. In this room,
the triangle wall cut-out is
a repeated motif.
Alternation is when
there are two or more
elements in a regular
pattern. The windows and
wall spaces between them
create an alternating
pattern.
Progression is the
increasing or decreasing
in size of repeated objects
in a space. The decorative
horses and the basket
lanterns on the window
seat go from smallest to
biggest.
Transition has a starting
point and helps to
navigate a space. The
soft curves, rounded
furniture and slightly
arched wall seem to be
all flowing together and
gently guide the eye
around the room.
Rhythm can also be
created using
contrasting colors,
textures, shapes and
patterns. The various
muted tones in this room
create a sense of rhythm
by allowing the eye to
rest in certain places to
admire the detailed
styling and carefully
curated art pieces.

7. Emphasis
Emphasis is the creation of a dominant
feature for a space or composition that is
the first to demand your attention.
Emphatic
Light feature serves as
the focal point.
Dominant
The wall cut-outs and niches
command attention.
Subdominant
The cream-colored pillows, light
fixtures, curtains and table
decorations highlight the room.
Subordinate
The grey colored walls, sofa and carpet hold the
room together.
Emphasis

8. Harmony
The combination of unity and variety to create a
cohesive design; a sense of balance is achieved with
the correct application of proximity, repetition and
congruence of elements.
Unity With the Use of
Congruent Elements
The use of repeating
triangles and cones helps to
unify the space. Triangular
wall-cut outs, cone-shaped
pendant lights and wall
decorations along with a
glimpse of similar items in
the next room,
Unity With Proximity
Three ottomans are grouped together
to form a welcoming seating area with
plenty of room to move around.
Unity With Repetition
The planters are similar, not
identical but create a visual
interest, attracting the eye to the
interesting architecture.
Unity by proximity is achieved by placing
like object close together to tell a harmonious
story.
Unity with repetition is when you have
different types of one object grouped
together.
Unity with congruence of elements
means taking a particular element
and repeating it in multiple different
ways around the space.

10. Space
Positive space is the actual
object or image. A room with
more positive space will feel
more intimate and traditional.
Negative space is the area
around or between an object.
A room with more negative
space will feel more open, airy
and modern.
Negative Space:
Rectangular built
in shelves
Negative Space:
Triangular wall
cut-outs
Positive Space:
Cone shaped light
fixtures
Positive Space:
Wall
Positive Space:
Coffee Table

11. Shape and Form
Geometric shapes in interior design
can be used to create a sense of order
and structure.
Common two-dimensional shapes are
the circle, triangle and square and
common three-dimensional shapes are
the sphere, the cone and the cube.
Triangle
The triangular wall cut-outs
Square
Pattern on the throw pillow Circle
The top of the seat cushion
Sphere
The ottomans
Cone
The hanging wall decoration
Cube
The cubed shaped wall cut-outs
Juxtaposition is the combination
of unlike objects in a space to create
a dramatic effect. In this room, the
smoothness of the wall and floors
and the geometric wall cut-outs
have a sleek, modern feel, and the
curvy lines of the sofa and window
seat are feminine and playful. At the
same time, the use of natural
materials have a grounding and
casual effect. The modern, natural
and feminine elements are
juxtaposed to create a stunning,
unique new look.

12. MASS Actual vs Optical
Density
In interior design the
perception of mass and its
visual weight depends on how
strongly the element brings
your eye towards it. Actual
mass is the density and
solidity of a form, and optical
density is an object or
material used to fill a space
that may not have actual mass
in it.
Optical
(Area in between coffee table and ottomans)
Actual
(Coffee table)
Optical
(Windows)
Optical
(Area in and around the light fixtures)
Optical
(Wall cut-outs)
Actual
(Wall)
In this room, the optical
density created by the wall cut-
outs and niches, create a light
airy feel. By opening this wall, it
seems much less heavy. The
room maintains a certain level of
privacy without feeling closed
off from the rest of the home.

13. The type of line being used in
a room can have a dramatic
impact on the feel of the space.
• Vertical lines make the
room seem taller, formal and
more traditional.
• Horizontal lines make the
room seem wider, and more
contemporary.
• Angular lines create loft and
movement which gives the
room energy.
• Soft curved lines are
relaxing, playful and
feminine. They also create a
sense of slow movement.
• Zig-zag and tightly curved
lines create a feeling of
quick movement and give
the room an energetic and
youthful feeling.
The vertical lines made by the
windows and curtains add height
to the room, giving it an elegant,
majestic feel,.
The horizontal lines created by the multi-layered ceiling and along the
top of the windows widen the room.
The soft, curved, feminine
lines created by the window seat
and sofa gently guide the eye
through the room.
Line

14. Texture
Coffee Table
Wood Lanterns
Ottoman
Light Fixture
Curtains
Pillows
Sofa
Coffee Table-Top
Rough
Texture
Smooth
Texture
Some of the rough textured objects are
the wooden coffee table, ottomans and the
lighter color wood lanterns. The material
used to make the pendant lights have a
seashell-like texture.
The smooth surfaced objects like the
sofa, curtains and floor soften the room,
giving it a classy, feminine feel.
The texture of objects and surfaces can drastically
change the style and feel of a room. Rough textures
have a casual feel, smooth textures are more formal and
small patterns that resemble texture create a more
interesting, livable space.
The combination of rough and smooth
textures give this room a unique look.
Although the room is elegant and luxurious,
the rough textured pieces keep it from
feeling too formal.

15. PAttern
The placement of emphasis
when using a pattern, is the
place where you want the eye
to go to first.
The character of pattern is
the compatible and cohesive
patterns that make up the
aesthetic of the room.
The scale of pattern is using
various sizes of the same
pattern to create a harmonious
look.
The color scheme is the
combination of different
patterns of coordinating colors.
Various sizes of triangle and cone
shapes add a cohesion to the room, but I
would like to see another pattern thrown
into the mix to add a little more
excitement. Whether it was another throw
pillow with a horizontal pattern to play off
the lines in the zebra decorations, or
another piece of wall art, perhaps with
another triangular motif, there would be
more variety in the scale of pattern
On the throw pillows, the dark
colored one with cool colored, muted
shades, pairs beautifully with the simple,
cream-colored throw pillow with an
interwoven zig-zag pattern. The neutral
tones of the throw pillows match perfectly
with the room.
In this room, the fabric patterns are on
the throw pillows, one of the ottoman seat
covers and the horizontal stripes on the zebra
decorations. The placement of emphasis on
the dark colored pillow is the charcoal grey
diamonds and squares that match perfectly
with the seat cover of the ottoman, and the
dark wood of the coffee table
A reoccurring pattern found
throughout the room are the small groupings
of triangular shapes. Although they are not
fabric patterns, the light fixtures, the wall cut-
outs and hanging art are all repeating the
same shape and tie the room together.

16. Light
Light is the
most powerful
element. It affects
how we perceive and
experience the other
elements and
principles of design.
A lot of light,
whether natural or
artificial, increases the
look of an interior
space, while minimal
or dim lighting
encloses a space.
Good lighting creates
the atmosphere of a
room, which in turn,
effects our mood.
Lighting has a
profound effect on
our mind, body and
spirit, and should
always be taken into
consideration and
placed thoughtfully
when designing a
space.
In this room,
the tall, wide windows
with cream- colored
curtains allow the
light to pour in, giving
it an open, airy and
luxurious feel.
The soaring
high ceiling and
windows illuminates
the exquisite wall
detailing, promotes a
sense of spaciousness
and adds to the
beauty and drama of
the room.
Ample natural
sunlight makes a
room feel larger and
more elegant, and
studies have shown
that plenty of natural
light in your home
boosts mood,
increases productivity
and promotes an
overall sense of
wellbeing
Light

17. Color
Color is a critically important
element of interior design. Just
like the element of light, color
has the ability to transform the
look and feel of a room and also
has a profound effect on our
mood.
Warm colors, like red,
yellow and orange advance on
the eye, making the room appear
small, intimate and cozy. Cool
colors, like blue, purple and
green, open-up a room and give
it a calm, clean and inviting
feeling. Neutral interiors are
timeless and easy to work with.
They give you the ability to
change up furniture, fabrics, or
styles with ease. Neutrals create
an open, soothing and relaxed
look and are suitable for any
room.
Although the ceilings are
exceptionally high, this room has a
warm, comforting feeling. Neutral
colors, and muted pinks, browns
and greys are calming, peaceful
and allow you to relax and take in
the beauty of the room.
The soft tones open-up the
space and provide a breathable,
serene environment, without
feeling cold or sterile. The
combination of warm and cool
undertones, create a layered look
that is soothing to the senses.
The light, neutral colors
provide the perfect environment to
get creative with a variety of
textures and give a grounded,
earthy feel when paired with the
wood finishes, basket laterns, shell-
like pendant lights and the
ceramics in the wall niches that
resemble pieces of coral.