From the Floors Up

How To Use the Elements and Principles Of Design To Decorate Like An Interior Designer, Part 10

By

Part 10 Light

Light is an incredibly complex aspect of home design. To create something special you must consider both function and effect, and it is typically necessary to use more than one light source in a room. As defined in design, light is considered radiant or visible wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum of energy. If you are a fan of science, this definition will tickle your fancy! For the rest of you, light is simply that which illuminates something our eyes are trying to see. This might be a specific object, or an entire room. 

Not understanding light beyond its utilitarian purposes is the number one obstacle to using it effectively in decorating. Let’s break it down. Types of lighting include: task, ambient, natural, and accent. Task lighting is a source of light well suited to a specific, focused activity, such as a lamp on your desk. Natural light is self explanatory – think windows. Ambient light is what you might call mood lighting. It adds a soft, aura-like glow and it is more relaxing than combustion lighting. An example of combustion lighting is a stark overhead light source in a room. Typically it’s not comfortable for more than a short period of time.    

The photo above shows the use of ambient lighting in the form of recessed lighting. Recessed means it’s flush with the surface – in this case, the ceiling. Notice it surrounds the bed rather than being positioned directly over top of it. The room also features ample natural light by way of the large windows. It can be diffused using sheers on the windows.

There’s is also creative use of accent lighting. The blue neon lights don’t necessarily provide a lot of illumination by which to see, but they are a pleasing aesthetic element that coordinates nicely with the lavender walls. All of these light sources are effective but not glaring. This is especially important in a bedroom where harsh, direct light is not conducive to relaxation. Last, note how light is used in the room to make it seem larger. It is actually quite small, but the various light sources and their simplistic form make it appear more spacious and airy.

Next read Part 11 – Balance

Don’t forget to go back and start by reading Part 1

How To Use the Elements and Principals Of Design To Decorate Like An Interior Designer, Part 9

By

Part 9 Color

Color is arguably the most impactful tool you have when decorating a room. All of the elements of design we’ve discussed thus far are critical components of a room, but color offers immediacy unlike any other. The moment you enter a room color demands your attention and evokes a strong influence over mood and style. Indeed, it even influences your behavior in a room. So, what is color, actually? From a home design perspective it is a sensation produced by visible wavelengths of light. It is one, or any mixture, of the constituents into which light can be separated, as in a spectrum or rainbow. Sounds lovely, but let’s get a little more practical with it.

The easiest way to become an overnight master of color is to invest in a color wheel, and then study the rules it represents. There are endless variations but you can decide how far into color theory you wish to delve. Short on time? Learning just a few of the basic color schemes will be plenty of knowledge to get the job done! 

Complimentary – Colors opposite each other on the color wheel. For example: pink and green. Complimentary colors are typically well suited to creating bold effects or vibrant color harmonies.  

Analogous – Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Typically you’ll find three of them being used and they are great for creating a sense of harmony in a room. Be sure that there is enough contrast between them to ensure the effect is obvious. A good example is the use of red, orange, and yellow.

Tetrad – Four colors used in complimentary pairs. For instance red, orange, blue and green. Typically, it works well to let one of the colors dominate, and the other three to support the overall effect.

As mentioned, there are far more combinations than these three but they are a great way to start. Don’t feel like you have to use full saturation hues to accomplish the goal. The example shown above uses very bold and impactful colors. However, you can adjust the technique to include medium or pale shades as well!

Next read Part 10 – Balance

Don’t forget to go back and start by reading Part 1

How To Use the Elements and Principles Of Design To Decorate Like An Interior Designer, Part 8

By

Part 8 Time

This particular principal of design may come as big surprise. However, it’s a critical component of decorating a room, because its effect is inevitable. Think about it. At any given time of day or year a room can transform and be quite different. Let’s examine.

You inhabit certain rooms in the house according to what time of day it is. Thus, light becomes an element of time in design. How does this effect decorating decisions? Many ways, but one of the most influenced factors is color.

Let’s say your bedroom is painted lavender. In the early morning it will have a softer tonality, diffused by the pristine, crisp morning light. By midday the light is perhaps a bit too harsh because bedrooms don’t generally feature excessive direct daylight, and this makes the lavender less appealing. You can control that element of time by installing sheers and possibly leaving them drawn through the rest of the afternoon!

Another way that time relates to a room is with regard to season. When designing you home it’s fun and effective to consider what a room will look like in any given season where you live. Maybe when it’s cold outside you just want to stay in bed, and so choose soft, warm furnishing. Perhaps when it’s warm you can’t wait to leap out of bed a go outside. Time to change the linens and textiles to something that feels cool and fresh! 

You should also consider long periods of time in your home such as months and years. Look at the photo above. One of the most beautiful attributes of real wood is that it gains character over the years. If you wish to preserve the original color as much as possible you can install drapes to completely protect it from the sun. But you’d be sitting in a dark room most of the time so it needs to be the right space for that. On the other hand, wood responds beautifully to natural light by slowly changing in color over time. Another time focused feature of the room is the fireplace. It’s merely a fixture when no fire is lit, but when there’s a fire burning it becomes a fabulous focal point. If it’s using during cold weather its role in the room is once again changed by time, because the fire is there for more than just beauty. It’s there to keep you warm!

Next read Part 9 – Color

Don’t forget to go back and start by reading Part 1 

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

Recent Comments

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.