Consider all the components that go into a well-designed room. It may start with a solid and functional architectural base, followed by a theme or design to give the room purpose. You then can amp the room’s feel with your desired flooring, paints, and lighting options. Decor can also go a long way. A room should flow properly and feel unified; however, symmetry is not always an absolute in design. A critical component to creating your space is allowing the power of asymmetrical landscapes and design help build an essential part of your home’s character. Here are some of the top key reasons why asymmetry is crucial to ironically giving a room a finished and balanced feel. Let’s take a look!
- Apples to Apples
Balance has three types: symmetrical which focuses on replication and exact mirror imaging of the room, asymmetrical balance allows for the room to feel free-flowing and unique, and lastly, a radial balance which works from a focal point outwards on the design theme always referencing to the middle being the balance point. You do not need to always balance a room, comparing apples to apples. Most rooms do not have an exact mirror image of themselves when you cut them in half. Windows, walls, and doorways can quickly make symmetrical design challenging and hard to keep functional. When you embrace informal balance, also known as asymmetrical balance, you will notice that the room will have more visual interest. You stray from monotony and patterns and allow for a more engaging experience.
- Never Forced
Too often people force symmetry in a room that is begging for more freedom and difference. Straying from the typical optical balance of a room allows you to focus more on functionality. When you do not have to mirror image the other side of your space, you can also allow for more expression in furnishings. Consider a symmetrical living room. Perfect symmetry will have two of the same couches facing inwards, identical night stands, and a lot of identical decor. When you allow informal balance to be part of your design, you give the freedom of adding more diverse pieces of furniture to help enhance your theme!
- Cut Your Room How You Want
Informal balance can allow you to think outside the box. Whereas, in more formally balanced design, you are stuck focusing on the blueprint of where windows, doors, and mantles are located, you now have the freedom to cut your room how you desire. Do not focus of making your always facing a focal point; work angles, add character, be creative! With the freedom of asymmetrical design, you are always welcome to recreate and redesign your room’s flow. Contemporary paint designs without borders, herringboned floors, expressive light fixtures, all can be used to help amp up your space.
Informal Balance is a principle of interior design that many beginners overlook. Unity does not equal balance; less can be more and functionality outweighs fashion. Interior design has so many guidelines and principles which can seem overwhelming at first, but they truly can transform you home. Learning these tips and tricks can help you develop your dream home tastefully and in style!