Interior design is all about combining seven important elements and striking the perfect balance between them. In our first instalment of this blog series, we discussed the importance of colour, pattern and print, light, and form in interior design.

This piece will discuss the remaining interior design features and outline how you should seek to incorporate them into your living space.

5. Line

Lines are a way of subtly drawing attention within a room and incorporating – or even blurring – structure. There are four types of lines to consider in interior design and each has a different impact on how we perceive space. They include:

- Vertical lines: These are often associated with elevation and strength – making a room feel taller. They serve to draw your eyes upwards to decorative lighting or ceiling-mounted fixtures.

- Horizontal lines: These lines emphasise direction and serve to ground features within a room. They are used to direct attention to a particular area and lengthen a room.

- Curving lines: This type of line can be organic – such as through arching windows – or manmade. They include elliptical, circular, and arching lines that add volume to a room and help a space flow into different areas.

- Diagonal lines: These lines usually connote freedom and movement. They serve to draw your eyes both upwards and downwards – therefore making a room feel larger than it is.

These line types are usually incorporated into different interior design elements. For example, horizontal lines usually feature in chairs or tables whilst vertical lines are found in structures such as doors and bookcases. Diagonal lines are casually incorporated through staircases or can be found in various patterns or prints.

6. Texture

Texture refers to the appearance, feel, and consistency of a particular surface in a room. It prevents your home from feeling two-dimensional by adding depth and interest.

The two main types of texture include visual and actual. Actual textures are those that can be felt as well as seen – such as velvet – whilst visual textures focus on appearance only. Although there are only two types of textures, they encompass various possibilities. You could focus on rough textures, smooth finishes, coarse edges, or glossy surfaces.

Interior designers typically use smooth and shiny textures in dark rooms to give it reflective qualities where there isn’t a lot of natural light. Alternatively, rough textures or exposed brickwork do well in large rooms where there is too much light.

Some ways to incorporate texture include using contrasting fabrics or layering various textures all at once – such as putting one rug on top of another. You can also use plants and flowers for visual texture or use textured furniture for actual texture.

7. Space

Space is one of the more important elements of interior design and is usually the first factor to be considered. This is because you need to determine the purpose of space before you can incorporate decorative features.

To truly navigate space, you need to come aware of the physical boundaries of the room and consider what’s possible. For example, you don’t want to clutter a small room with furniture as this hinders movement. It’s important to make a note of any focal points within the space too, as this is where you’re likely to maximise colour or design features to draw attention.

You need to determine the circulation patterns that show how people will move through your space before deciding on necessary equipment and furniture. Small spaces can be enhanced by borrowing space from other rooms through seamless floor materials or by giving an uninterrupted window view.

By incorporating these elements into your interior design, you’ll undoubtedly create a space that fosters positivity and that has a positive impact on your overall mental health. This is something that Jarvis Interiors aims to achieve, so be sure to contact us today to get started on your interior design and wellness journey.