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Put some rhythm in your room
You undoubtedly have heard of rhythm as it relates
to music. But did you know that rhythm is also an important
concept in interior design? Rhythm in interior design
refers to the illusion of movement through a space.
Rhythm keeps the eyes traveling around the room and
makes a room look lively and interesting. Rhythm in
a room can be created in a number of ways:
- Repetition of a design element
such as shape, color, texture, line or pattern. For
example, think of a striped fabric pattern in which
the colors yellow, red and brown repeat. The repetition
of colors and lines implies a sense of movement and
rhythm. As another example, a trio of woven baskets
on a shelf shows repetition of texture. As I look
in my own family room, I see my accent color, red,
repeated around the room: a red leather magazine
holder, red pillows on the sofa, a red lamp base,
and red picture frames on the book shelves. This
repetition of color leads the eye to all of the different
elements in the room, tying them all together.
- Gradation refers to the gradual
movement from a low point to a high point or from
high to low. In interior redesign we often refer
to the concept of "peaks and valleys," which
means that the furniture and accessories are arranged
to create highs and lows. Think of three candles
on the dining table ranging in size from short to
tall. Or think of a tabletop arrangement in which
the eye travels from the top of a tall lampshade
down to a shorter framed photo, down to a velvet-covered
box.
- Transition -- Curved lines are
a good example of this type of rhythm. With a curved
line, your eye gently transitions, or travels, from
one object to another. Think of a camelback sofa,
for example, a curved headboard, or an archway.
- Opposition -- Using opposites
can create an interesting and pleasing effect in
your decor. Using colors opposite each other on the
color wheel is one example of oppositional rhythm.
Complementary colors such as purple and yellow, for
example can create a jarring, yet desirable effect.
Pairing black and white, which is currently a very
popular for home decor, is another great look in
a room. Mixing textures, such as pairing a smooth
leather sofa with a rough slate-topped coffee table,
is another example of oppositional rhythm.
- Radiation -- This type of rhythm
refers to several objects repeated around a center
object creating a circular pattern. For example,
think of a chandelier in which crystals surround
the centerpiece of the light fixture. Dining chairs
around a dining table is another simple example.
Take a look around your home for evidence of rhythm.
Could you rearrange a few pieces to create highs and
lows? Could you find ways to repeat your accent color
in different areas in the room? With a few changes,
your room could be a symphony of beautiful music.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on Jan. 20, 2007.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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