Interior design isn’t as complicated as most people think. It all comes down to introducing common concepts such as harmony when decorating a room. We all know that harmony is a scenario whereby people or things align with one another.
So, how can you arrange a harmonious room? Keep reading to find out!
What Is Harmony In Interior Design?
By definition, harmony in interior design refers to coordinating colors and objects to establish a sense of unity in a room. To create harmony in interior design, everything should be able to work together to bring out a particular style or theme.
There are many things an interior designer can do to arrange a truly harmonious room. For example, they can use a specific color, pattern, or texture with the furniture.
We will talk more about examples of how to create unity in a room later. At the moment, allow us to explain more about what harmony is in interior design.
The objective of this principle is to ensure various pieces in a room seem to belong together. It’s not a must for them to look exactly the same. But there must exist a form of unity between them.
The art of creating a harmonious interior design has been around for centuries. It’s one of the trends that has withstood the test of time. Like any other principle, creativity is critical in instilling a sense of cohesion in a room.
A harmonious room makes it easier for people to digest the overall design. It’s not unusual for you to walk into a room and discover that the décor is too much for your brain to handle. The reason that happens is that the décor lacks harmony. Even though the brain is a complex organ, it associates more with simpler things.
Integrating harmony into your interior design allows you and your guests to recognize various décor elements much quicker and easier.
Now that you know what harmony is all about in interior design and décor, it’s time to look at the elements that make a room appear harmonious.
What Makes A Room Look Harmonious?
Interior designers usually use various methods of making a room look harmonious. But all these methods revolve around the elements we will list below:
⁕ Visual Balance
You can’t unify the elements in your room without balancing them first. Are you familiar with the phrase – ‘there is too much visual weight on a certain side of a room’? This often implies that one side of a room has taken all the attention.
A lot of us have fallen victim to visual imbalance. We tend to focus on one wall by filling it with artwork and ignore the rest. By incorporating visual balance, you will unify the room and ensure every corner doesn’t look heavier than the rest.
⁕ Symmetry
A room cannot look harmonious when different décor elements have varying shapes and sizes. Symmetry plays a critical role in unifying your interior. It’s all about balancing the proportions. Symmetry brings order to your room. In some ways, it also contributes to the visual balance.
To add more symmetry to your room, you may embrace the idea of getting multiple pieces of décor and placing them strategically facing each other. Another idea for adding symmetry is to get matching sofas and put them together.
⁕ Lots Of Negative Space
It doesn’t make sense why people dislike negative spaces on their walls. In most homes, you are likely to find walls packed with pictures of kids when they were five-year-old. Souvenirs that moms and dads bought when they went to Greece for their honeymoon.
Even though there is nothing wrong with hanging memories on the walls, too many decorative items can make a room seem chaotic.
If you want to bring harmony and order into a space, create a lot of negative space. Declutter the walls so that the eyes can have an opportunity to rest on a negative space.
⁕ Décor With Similar Characteristics
I am not asking you to fill the room with matching décor. But, investing in décor with similar characteristics can significantly contribute to making a room look more harmonious.
The perk of doing this is that the eyes will be carried smoothly from one corner to another as the brain relates the connection between these elements.
⁕ A Connected Seating Arrangement
Since the goal is to bring harmony to a room, the seating arrangement also must be connected. Sofas or chairs should be placed closely together and, if possible, connected with an area rug. It would help if you refrained from isolating pieces of furniture.
⁕ Items That Have A Purpose
The last thing that can help make a room look harmonious is having items that have a purpose. Your room should be able to tell a story. So, examine what’s in the room. If it serves no valid purpose, it should be disposed of.
How Can You Create Harmony In A Room?
Executing ideas into reality is often the most challenging part of interior design. But that’s not the case when it comes to creating harmony. Here are a few tips on how to incorporate unity in a room.
Showcase Similarity
The reason why it’s easy to create harmony in a room is because everything revolves around showing similarity. If it’s a pattern, ensure it’s applied throughout every element. From the walls to the furniture, there should be a similarity.
However, you mustn’t overdo the similarities as it will look weird. Deviate a little from the theme, but make sure you don’t go too far.
Focus On A Single Element
One of the easiest ways to create harmony in a room is by focusing on a specific element. For example, you can decide to make a theme from the carpet or furniture.
Take a picture of it and go shopping for other décor items. Ensure that everything you buy resembles the carpet. When you do this, it will be easier to establish unity.
Limit Materials
It can be tempting to incorporate various materials in a room. But that has the same effect as cluttering a space. Limit the materials used in that room. Don’t add metal or plastic if you decide to go with a wood finish on the cabinets and chairs.
Play Around With Colors
Most people perceive that a harmonious interior design involves dull colors. In fact, you can still create harmony with bright colors.
If you love red, yellow, or blue, feel free to add these colors to your room décor. But be careful about matching the colors. For example, you can create a rainbow shade on the pillows, rugs, and artwork.
While we are still on colors, we must touch on the importance of a white backdrop. These days, people are going for bold wall colors.
But no color succeeds more at balancing visuals than white. A white backdrop blends with everything. The black color also produces the same effect.
Choose An Interesting Pattern
Patterns can help with unifying a room. There are limitless patterns you can choose from. I highly recommend geometric patterns since they have an element of intrigue.
Once you settle on a suitable pattern, you can use it on your rugs, cushions, or artwork. But make sure it’s repeated more than twice for consistency.
Ideas For Creating Harmony In Interior Design
Now that you know what harmony is in interior design and how to incorporate it in a room, it’s time to let your creativity run wild.
If this is your first time decorating and you don’t know where to start, here are some ideas for harmony in room design from which you can get inspired.
Identify three or four main colors to play around with. These colors will act as the base of your theme. To achieve visual balance, at least two or three colors should be in a neutral shade. Pick colors that you find most pleasant.
⁕ Create a central seating arrangement with the chairs facing one another. That will significantly improve cohesion.
⁕ Paint the walls with one neutral shade, such as white or gray.
⁕ Get an area rug or a carpet that matches your artwork.
⁕ Divide the room symmetrically. Glasses and shelves can help out with this.
⁕ Ensure the room has access to natural light. If that’s not possible, invest in matching table lamps and place them in adjacent corners.
⁕ Declutter as much as your can. Leave just one or two pieces of art on the walls. This will increase negative space. Table décor should only be limited to valuable objects.
⁕ Go for curtains and pillows that have some resemblance. This will make it easier for the eyes to transition from one part of the room to another.
⁕ All works of art on the wall should be placed at the same height. The purpose of this is to prevent imbalance within the room.
⁕ Carefully pick at least two materials for the room. It could be a combination of tile, wood, or any material that suits your preferences.
⁕ Go for tactile textures since they evoke a natural vibe.
⁕ Evenly distribute objects within the room. Do not crowd one area and leave the other empty.
The Bottom Line
A harmonious interior design can make a room look better and give it a peaceful vibe. Unlike most designs that ignite chaos, harmony brings cohesion and unity. It’s one of the easiest interior design techniques to incorporate into a room.
With the help of the above tips and ideas, you should be able to create a beautiful, harmonious space in your home.
