When it comes to interior design, there is an innate relationship between design and proportion. To some this comes naturally, to others, not so much. One of the reasons some people seem to be natural designers is their ability to use geometry in a flattering way inside any space. Most people don’t even realize just how much geometry is involved in designing a space. Here are five ways interior designers use geometry in their designs:
The golden ratio – Believe it or not, mathematicians have come up with a ratio of proportions that many people throughout history have found to be aesthetically pleasing, and sometimes this ratio is used within the interior design. Your space may even have been designed according to this ratio, and you don’t even know it! Examples of architectural works that were designed using the golden ratio include the Parthenon, the TajMahal, and St. Mark’s Basilica in Italy. Toronto’s CN Tower is just one modern example of a building designed using this ratio. Many artists have used this ratio in their paintings as well. In interior design, the ratio usually breaks down to: 60 percent neutral colors, 30 percent darkly colored furniture, 10 percent accents in warm colors, 5 percent of accents in bright colors like red, and just a touch of cooler tones like blue or turquoise. Other proportions within the golden ratio are also used, like using 60 percent of the space for furniture.
The layouts of rooms – This one may seem rather obvious, but it goes far beyond simply placing things where they fit. There is a certain aesthetic quality that is attained through the use of geometry. Symmetry works wonders in some spaces, while other layouts may be necessary to make a room more functional. You may wish to have chairs placed in a circle or unique window features framed or used as focal points in the design. If a room or area is laid out properly, within an office space, natural synergies take place and the staff is more productive, which in turn makes the company more profitable.
Wall and room décor – Of course a room’s décor is one of the most noticeable parts of the space, and geometry plays an important role in the planning process. Of course the style and design of the decorative elements do matter, but the shape of them is also used when determining which pieces will look great. Even the shapes that are used in the patterns of furniture and other cloth materials inside the room play a key role in determining if they will be a good fit for the space or not.
Sizing of various elements – Of course every interior designer must take measurements of a space before they begin working, and the overall size of the room is just one measurement that comes into play. If an accent rug is needed, they need to know the size and shape of the place where the rug will go.
Patterns and themes–Geometry is also very important when it comes to establishing patterns or themes within a space. A very smooth space will just appear to be broken up if a square piece is added. This can result in a rather unsettling feeling that can’t necessarily be explained.
Interior designers are more than just artsy people with an eye for color and style. They are also mathematicians with incredible skills in geometry—whether they know it or not. Few people realize just how much geometry exists in their lives and especially in their environments. Even things that are aesthetically pleasing often have a geometrical explanation for why people think they are so.
The experts at LDB Design know how to use geometry in interior design so that it creates a warm and inviting space you will enjoy.