When you know the basic interior design principles you can transform any space to look fabulous. You know what it feels like when you walk into a well-designed room. You can sense how everything feels cohesive and put together. It feels just right. You can achieve that effect in your own home with a little knowledge of basic design principles. Pair that knowledge with practice and experimentation and you’re on your way to creating a beautiful home. Whether you’re redecorating one room or hiring a professional designer to revamp your entire living space, it helps you to understand the basics of interior design and what they encompass. A design is an orderly arrangement of these basic elements:

• Colour

It is the creator of illusion and maker of mood. Colours must be chosen based on the psychology and the mind-set of the dweller. Each colour has three distinct characteristics namely Hue, Value and Intensity, and an interior designer must be well aware of these characteristics to perform various permutations and combinations.

• Space

Space is one of the most important elements of interior design. Space acts as a foundation on which the entire interior design plan is built. Hence it is essential that the designer is well aware of the space available, its dimensions and its utilities. Space is where the people are, and the pieces of the building aren’t.” Freedom to move about and not bump into things, duck one’s head, etc, is quite important. People should never feel that the building is forcing them to move about in ways that are confining or uncomfortable.

• Texture

Texture plays a dual role in architecture: it expresses something of the quality of materials, and it gives a particular quality to light. Although one absorbs both qualities simultaneously by eye, the first has tactile, the second visual associations. Specific tactile textures are peculiar to every material by virtue of its manufacture or natural composition, but they may be altered to produce a variety of expressive qualities. Any stone may be used in its natural, irregular state, or it may be chiselled in a rough or smooth texture or highly polished to convey a range of meanings from vigour to refinement.

• Light

Lighting is an important aspect of interior design as it enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates the mood and ambiance of a living space. Lighting fixtures that illuminate a room creates a safe and comfortable environment besides adding style to the interior décor. Light is the main element that gives the room a special look and transforms it into a seamless combination of functionality and style. Besides playing a functional role it creates a visually dynamic space. Lighting can make or break the ambiance of a room. Hence proper lighting is an important element of decorating your homes.

• Form

Form is the shape of the room, as well as any objects within the room. In other words, it relates to the physical form of anything that is three dimensional. Forms can usually be described as either geometric or natural. Geometric refers to hard lines and square edges, often looking man-made, while natural relates to more organic forms that seem to be created by nature. Forms can also be open – objects that can be looked into or closed – self-contained.

Horizontal, vertical and dynamic lines help to shape a room and guide the eye. Creating lines using the room’s furnishings and structural design can form harmony, unity and contrast. Horizontal lines, created by tables and other surfaces, give a sense of stability, formality and efficiency. Interior designers highlight horizontal lines to make a room appear wider and longer, and to draw the eye to a focal point. But be careful, overemphasis of horizontal lines has the ability to make the space seem boring and uninspired. Vertical lines, created by features such as windows and doorways, evoke feelings of freedom and strength. On a functional level, accentuating vertical lines often gives the illusion of a room being taller. Often suited to use in dining rooms, entries and offices, vertical lines must be incorporated wisely so as not to leave inhabitants feeling uneasy. Dynamic lines refer to diagonal, zigzag or curved lines. Such lines can be found in stairs, for example, and provide energy and movement. Stimulating to the eye, dynamic lines capture our attention longer. However, too many dynamic lines in one room can be distracting, and overpower horizontal or vertical lines. Ideally, interior designers will strike a balance with the incorporation of different lines. This is typically done by selecting one dominant feature line, in accordance with the client’s brief and the desired feeling they wish to convey in the space.

Paired with colour, pattern offers a similar use to texture in that it can add appeal to a room. A pattern is created by the use a repetitive design and can be found in wallpaper, soft furnishings, rugs and fabrics. Patterns come in various types, such as stripes, geometric, pictorial, organic, motif and animal prints. When implementing pattern, it’s best to firstly consider the size and style of a room. Introducing pattern in a small room should be done sparingly, to avoid overwhelming the space. However, as discussed in the element of line, patterns that create vertical or horizontal lines can be used to give a heightened sense of space. Complex patterns made up of contrasting colours and lines can liven up a room, however they are best used in the form of a feature wall. Large scale patterns can flourish in a large space and become a distinct focal point to the room. In regards to style, it’s vital to know what category the pattern falls into to ensure that the essence of the room is maintained. For example, for traditionally styled rooms, incorporate organic, floral prints. For a contemporary touch, geometric and abstract prints should be experimented with. Fun to use and with an element of functionality, patterns can bring a room to life. As a rule of thumb however, it’s best to include a maximum of three patterns, all drawing from the same colour scheme.