How Scale and Proportion Bring Balance to a Room

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The number one design principle is balance, which refers to the visual equilibrium of a room. It is important to consider placement of objects within a room according to line, form, color and texture to help determine their visual weight, or how much space objects take up within the room. It is best to distribute various objects throughout a room to maintain balance. To get more specific, there are two types of balance: 1. formal balance; and 2. informal balance. Formal balance refers to symmetrical balance whereas informal balance refers to the use of different objects with the same visual weight to create a sense of equilibrium in a room; giving a spontaneous, warm feeling to the space.


Proportion and scale are vital design principals right behind balance. Proportion refers to how the elements within an object relate to the object as a whole, while scales relates the size of an object to the space in which it is located.

Proportion in interior design refers to the balance between design elements such as shape, color and texture. Designers often link proportion with scale, which refers to the comparative size of one or more object and is a fixed measurement. Proportion is the relative judgment of an arrangement. You can achieve the correct proportions by repeating shapes, colors and textures, controlling light and providing style and variety.

Scale refers to visual size—how furnishings look next to each other and how they fit in a room. Rooms need big things, little things, tall things, and short things. If everything is the same size, nothing will stand out. Best practice: vary scale within a room to create interest and drama.

Scale variation and balance in a room is vital. Be careful not to have too large of differences in objects as to cause the room to feel unbalanced. Additionally, make sure the furniture is scaled for their use. For example, depending on the size of the sofa in the space, the cocktail table should be large enough to provide space for drinks, books etc.

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