The Elements Of Style

Interior Design Style Tips

It may seem that when it comes to interior design the main elements are flair and creativity, but what happens when the creativity dries up? Is there a way to go back to the interior design fundamentals? Let’s explore the elements of style and see what makes them the building blocks of all successful interior design. Is there anything behind those magic words?

Light

Natural light, dark walls, dimmer switches. The light should lead your interior design decisions. Get the light right and the rest of your interior design will flow, get it wrong and you’ll be floundering in the dark, not knowing which way to turn. The three main types of light are:

• Task lighting. The lamp in your home office allows you to see your notes. 
• Accent lighting emphasises objects. The lights that run above the stove or kitchen island, draw attention to the main cooking areas of your kitchen. 
• Mood lighting sets the ambience. That soft touch of lighting gently soothes the corners of the living room, bringing a sense of closeness to the area.

Think about the colour of the light – cool blue or warm yellow? – as well as the light intensity when making your decisions.

Colour

Once the light is fixed then the colour comes in. What colour you want to use will be a marriage of what light it works best with and how large the room is. If you want to make a small room bigger then consider painting one wall black. This is because black has incredible depth, increasing a room’s perceived size. Interestingly, bright coloured objects appear taller than dark coloured ones. More than an aesthetic choice, the colour will influence mood, so choose wisely.

Pattern

Paired with colour, a pattern can make or break a design. Usually repetitive in design, patterns can be found in wallpaper, carpets, rugs, throws and soft furnishings. They can come in a plethora of types, from animal prints to geometric. A word of warning, too much pattern can come across as chaotic and overwhelming, so unless that’s your motif, use patterns sparingly around the home. 

Line 

Up and down or side to side? Maybe you want to throw a zigzag in there to show movement. The line of your furniture and rugs should complement how you want to feel. Horizontal lines create a feeling of security, great for your bathroom, whereas vertical lines are daring and bold, ideal for anywhere guests gather. Try dynamic lines, like zigzags, on the stairs to create a sense of energy and motion. When it comes to line, feel the energy of the room and decorate accordingly.