Fundamentals of interior design

With the ample amount of creative freedom furnished in the field of interior design, certain elementary principles direct the course of a technically projectible design. The impression to create an interior layout or setup is a reflection of the demand of a particular individual, making this work subjective in ways more than one. The basic principles involved in the various elements of interior design originate from its nature of being artistically tangible and borderless. These principles practically set the lines for interior designers to create effectively under the framework of idealistic projects and layouts. 

Finding its roots in Egyptian architectural history, interior design was virtually introduced to coordinate and align with the exterior architecture of a building. Interior design in most of the Egyptian residential buildings included primary elements for ventilation like porticoes, columns, loggias, windows, and doors. This was outrightly done as a part of the architectural system using animal skins, simple textiles, graphic spiritual murals, sculptures, and painted urns. Following the period of sudden ornamentation, the evolution of the presentation of interior design in the form of colour, layout, patterns, coordination, etc led to a sudden movement in the history of interior design resulting in the formation of some of the basic principles for the artistic industry. 

Seven Basic Principles of Interior Design

Interior design, typically based around the concept of creative expression and freedom, is, like any other form of art, grounded by certain basic principles that provide an elementary framework for creators. These principles, in general, include, 

1. Balance

Balance in interior design refers to the symmetrical and geometric use of space, which accounts for one of the most essential and strongly determining factors in designing an interior. Objectively furnished and designed spaces count for a fundamentally balanced and inventive interior. With the unexplainable symmetry found in nature, symmetric/asymmetric/radial balance is associated and adheres to the laws of natural creativity. Typically, there are three forms of balance in terms of interior designing principles. 

i) Symmetrical or formal balance: This frequently used form of balance clutches to create mirror images in a space resulting in a bilaterally symmetric room. This traditional method of achieving balance in a space is more common in square rooms. Every element associated with the space is drawn around an axial point which drives symmetry or the format of a room.       

ii) Asymmetrical balance: This is a comparatively more flexible approach to balance, introduced through modern techniques of design. This form of balance, unlike symmetric balance, does not focus on geometric entities but creates a balance in terms of the weight of objects that are identical in shape, size, or any dimensions. Asymmetrical balance is a relatively more natural form of balance and does not focus on the technicalities of geometry, but rather focuses on the visual appeal.  

iii) Radial balance: This type of balance is relatively complex and revolves around a central element in the space known as the focal point. All the sub-elements associated with the space are harmonized with this focal element, giving rise to an aesthetically coordinated interior. Radial balance is generally associated with circular, large, and noticeable elements around which the other sub-elements are conformed. 

2. Harmony

The principle of harmony is driven by the factor of similarity and coordination. Consonance and periodic repetition of various major and minor elements in a space influence the harmony and camaraderie of a room. Use of excessive elements, dissimilar to colour, shape, or texture in a space results in dissonance and categorisation of the space. Elements like Form, shape, texture, and colour repetition are some of the methods of achieving harmony in an interior. 

3. Contrast

Using various contrasting elements in a space like colour, texture, patterns, shapes or styles reflect the idea of opposites attracting, creating an explicit appeal in an interior layout. The most widely used contrast in modern design is Scandinavian minimalism with the bohemian style of the interior where contrasting patterns like stripes and flowers, matte and glossy are put together to create an aesthetic cadence. Using typography, opposite undertones of colours, an amalgamation of symmetry and asymmetry, alignment and organisational structure, using rough and smooth textures, etc are some of the methods of creating a contrasting structure in an interior. 

4. Proportion and Scale

A relatively mathematical and technical principle, the idea of scale and balance originates from the concept of balance and harmony. The scale here refers to the size of all elements and sub-elements that compliment and contrast each other and all the other subordinate entities in the space, including the space itself. Proportion, a relative term, refers to the relationship between all the major and minor elements within the space. This reflects the inter-relationship of the subordinates within an interior, while the scale projects the relationship of the size of an object with the overall space included. 

5. Rhythm

The fusion of fundamentals like balance, harmony, contrast, proportion, and scale results in the arrangement of the rhythm in an interior. This is one of the most crucial and determining factors in designing a layout and projecting a perfect display of colour, texture, geometry, shape, etc. The principle is essentially based on the need to create solidarity and coordination in the space resulting in the intertwining of all elements. Influencing the perception of a viewer greatly, this principle of rhythm lends a touch of depuration to high-end interiors through methods like contrast, repetition, transition, gradation, and radiation.

6. Emphasis: 

Monotony and rigidity are one of the very essential factors in the development of a strong-headed interior. This is achieved by following the principle of emphasis which deals with the anchoring of a focal object or element around which all the sub-elements are coordinated. This principle is based on choosing a statement element to accentuate a specific part of the space and adding all the sub-elements to create a monotone in the space.

7. Details

The last and the most refined characteristic of a creative interior is attention to the minor details included in the design, which generally requires finishing touches to complete and personalise the interior and rectify the congruence of the interior with the demand of the space. The enhancement of the space through intricate detailing is done via organizing, coordinating, and the plan specifications.

Numerous fundamentals project the course of a successful interior design and accentuate the cohesion between the various elements included in the design. These basic elements are used to translate the experimentation to an extent of strong creativity and produce an aesthetically relevant and pleasing project. These fundamentals are essential to synchronize the principles of interior design with the reflection of one's creativity and artistic representation. Some of the essential elements included in interior design are meant to form a basic layout to induce creative identification and reflection. 

Line: Dynamic lines including horizontals, diagonals, zig-zags, and curves bring stability and vitality to an interior resulting in a scheme of energy and geometry. These lines, essentially, bring focus to a central element supporting the principle of emphasis. 

Space: This element generally adheres to using the positive and negative space healthily to create a well-laid-out space. Positive space is the occupied space of a room with major and minor elements while negative space refers to the gaps in between the objects that are left unoccupied. 

Light: The element of light is substantially subjective to the use and requirement of space. This refers to creating a balance between natural and artificial light to create an aesthetic ambience and comfort in the space. Using tools like drapery and window coverings can control the amount of natural sunlight as per the requirement in a space concerning a particular space and layout.  

Forms: The key to this element of the form is characterised by creating a natural balance and shape and not differentiating the space through strong and sharp geometries. This element focuses on making the space more natural and comforting by excluding the curvaceous pieces. 

Colour: Choosing the right colour for space has a large impact on how large, small, or full of light a room appears. The principles of balance, emphasis, contrast, and rhythm largely coordinate the element of colour to complement the space by the inclusion of restful hues. 

Textures: This element of texture emphasizes the visual appearance of a room by mixing and contrasting accessories to add depth and interest to the space. This is generally done through furniture, floor coverings, fabrics, decorative accessories, etc. 

Patterns: Elements like an area rug, wallpaper, soft furnishings, artwork, etc is a source of categorising patterns in a room.  The pattern element acts as a fulcrum between the principle of balance and emphasis, creating a natural yet balanced interior.  

In addition to the basic principles used in traditional methods of interior design, the modern form of design includes fundamental ideas like Alignment, Repetition, Movement, and White Space. These modern principles focus more on unifying a theme and pattern to create a motif and identifying the need to remove unnecessary or extra elements. Besides the use of heavy and static functions in traditional or transitional designs, which focus rather heavily on ornaments and decorative elements, Modern design is focused on minimizing the use of extra elements and using forms and functional principles. Modern design is, therefore, characterized by monochromatic undertones, dynamic lines, and a more natural setting.