Principles of Design

BalanceGives a feeling of equal visual weight to objects on both sides of a design’s center point.

• In a wall display

• In items on a table or fireplace mantle

• In furniture arrangements

Balance can be found . . .

Symmetrical BalanceObjects on one side of an imaginary center

line are the mirror image of those on the other side.

Also known as “formal” balance.

Symmetrical Balance

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical BalanceObjects on each side

of an imaginary line are unmatched but appear balanced (equal in visual weight).

Also called “informal” balance.

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

ScaleThe overall size of an

object compared with other objects.

For an object to be in scale in a room, it must be an appropriate size in relation to the other furnishings.

A small lamp may be out of place on a large table.

Scale

ScaleLarger rooms call

for larger scaled furniture, and larger scaled pieces tend to look good when you place them with similarly proportioned pieces.

Scale

ScaleThe large scale of the

framed mirror and console are appropriate against the large scaled rock wall. Nothing here looks wimpy or bulky.

ScaleThe large scaled artwork

looks great against the large wall and is scaled appropriately to the large windows.

Anything smaller would look awkward.

You can also group several smaller framed prints to create one large focal point.

EmphasisThis is the place where your eye is drawn. It

is usually the point of greatest interest in a room.

EmphasisEmphasis can be

achieved by using different colors, shapes, or textures.

Emphasis

Emphasis

Emphasis

Emphasis

RhythmRhythm creates

a feeling of movement in a room.

It causes the eye to move from one point to another.

RhythmRhythm creates

a feeling of movement in a room.

It causes the eye to move from one point to another.

RhythmDifferent

size candles arranged from tall to short

RhythmDraperies

with flowing swags

RhythmChairs

arranged around a circular table

RhythmA series of

paintings along a wall

RhythmRepeated

patterns or colors