The Key Principles of Interior Design

Interior designs not only beautify your homes, but also set the right mood for those stepping in. Well,each design has a personality – a characteristic that is influenced by your lifestyle in general. Interiordesign ideas should hence be inspired by the way you live and the impression you would like to create.It’s not about putting a few pretty looking things together – you need to think about functionality too.

Well, there are basically three principles to bear in mind – Function, Mood and Personality

Function

Designs are much more than mere eye-appeal. The room interiors must have a perfect mix offunctionality too or you will have a whole lot of beautiful looking clutter which is if of absolutely no use.Here are a few things that make your room more functional:

Focal point - A focal point in a room is generally the place where the eyes travel to immediatelyupon entering. A fireplace or a book case could be examples of natural focal points. If there isn’ta natural focal point in the room, you can dynamically create one with a colourful piece of art oran area rug.

Furniture – The furniture should satisfy the functions you’ve planned for the room. If the piece istoo large or too small, trade it for something that fits proportionately to the other pieces in theroom and provides the right functionality too.

Lighting – The lighting in the room must be selected as per the functions defined for the room. Astudy area will have different lighting than a bedroom or kitchen. Direct lighting from a tablelamp could be good in some areas and indirect lights could help create a bright happyenvironment.

Arrangement – Draw and place all the important pieces of furniture around the focal point. Themajor traffic patterns must be left open. After the main pieces of furniture have beenaccommodated, you can ‘fill in’ the remaining. Ensure that you balance out the high and lowpieces and the heavy and light ones.

Mood

The choice of colours, the style of furnishings and the textures and patterns decide the mood of yourroom.

The inspiration piece – starting with a source of inspiration is the easiest way to begin yourdecoration. A decorative pillow, a photo from a magazine or a pattern or texture you like – all aregood places to begin with.

Theme – It’s important to maintain a theme so that you can select the colours, patterns andeverything else based on this theme.

Colour Cues, Patterns and Textures – Select colours that match the theme. Usually, select threecolours – one dormant colour that is used for walls and carpets, or fabrics or anything in thebackground. A secondary colour for all the fabrics in the room and an accent colour that is usedsparingly to give energy and excitement to the room. Patterns could liven up the place andtextures make them look unique.

Personality

Accessorizing – Use vases, pictures, pillows and rugs that support your theme and add photosand artwork that make the room look pretty.

Whimsy and The unexpected – It’s sometimes good to make things a little unexpected and addsomething irregular to the place – like a brightly coloured area.

A well planned and decorated room exudes the right mood, has the right functionality and the rightpersonality for your family to live in.