Horizontal and Vertical – Do you know the Basic Elements of Interior Design?
A well designed and appropriately decorated room demonstrates the basic elements of interior design, horizontal and vertical lines. Good design in all styles, traditional, neoclassical, modern or contemporary, is confirmation to the world of interior design that these simple elements are represented.
The two fundamentals of design are vertical and horizontal lines. Used correctly, these design elements position the focus in a room for the best visual balance. They are the design features that provide the essential support for the design of the room and serve to accentuate a specific interior space. More important than focal points, a design without correctly used horizontal and vertical elements is a failed design.
For example, crown molding on the ceiling is a strong horizontal element. The horizontal line leads your eyes around the perimeter of the room. That’s why all home stagers emphasize trim on the houses they’re preparing for resale. Commonly used vertical items indoors are floor lamps, table lamps, cabinets and cabinets, houseplants, pedestals, and hanging sconces. In hotels, indoor fountains and water features provide vertical height. These vertical design elements draw the eye upward and emphasize the overall height of the space.
Vertical lines accentuate features and create a focal point. Wall sconces in a foyer can frame a decorative mirror placed above a buffet or sideboard. A pair of tall sconces set on a mantle accentuate the upright element. At their best, vertical lines serve as design markers to make a strong statement. In furniture, a high-backed chair like a wing chair becomes a vertical element. Verticals facilitate spatial history.
The horizontal equivalents of the vertical elements are long dining tables, sofa backs or straight railings. His eye moves from side to side. Interior design schemes that feature horizontal pieces, such as sectionals, beds, or mantles, suggest the idea of staying a while. A horizontal design element informs the eye that it has reached the end. It’s time to stop and stay in a comfortable place. A horizontal feature invites you to linger. Consider bedrooms or hot tubs that have flat, horizontal surfaces. In public spaces like airports there are rows of seats, or in reception rooms chairs surround the room with the message please sit down and stay a while.
These two complementary design elements, vertical and horizontal, are the building blocks of a successful design concept. Emphasize the vertical and horizontal for an eye-catching interior design and make any room a dazzling success. As you discuss your design with an interior designer, think about what horizontal and vertical elements you want to feature.