Elements and Principles of Design

Vertical LinePerpendicular to the line of horizon; upright; going from floor to ceiling

This room is great when explaining vertical lines. The curtains on the windows, the canopy over the bed, the bed posts, the pictures along the wall, and the design on the wallpaper are all vertical and lead your eye upward making the room appear taller.

Horizontal LineParallel to horizon; from left to right

This room is filled with the concepts of horizontal lines. The straight-back sofas with the brown pillows on the them, the ottomans, the coffee table and the pictures on the back wall all lead your eye from one side of the room to another. Using horizontal lines elongates and can lengthen the room. Horizontal lines tend to give a calming effect and this room gives off a peaceful and comfortable feel.

Diagonal LinesLines moving in slanted directions

The diagonal lines behind the ovens make the space appear larger. Diagonal lines are used to create more space in an area but having too much makes the space hectic and busy.

Curved LinesLines that deviate from straightness in a smooth continuous fashion

This bedroom has many curved lines. The back wall is curved, the pillows are rounded instead of the normal square shape, the ottoman and two tables are curved and there are many accessories like the candles lamps and flowers which are also curved. This makes the room soft and romantic.

TintGradation of color made by adding white to lessen its saturation

This room uses color with tint to it. The colors are light and contain a lot of white. Tinted colors make the room appear cool and airy.

ShadeColor mixed with black ; adds darkness

The shade of dark purple/blue in this room gives a sense of comfort or coziness. Too much use of dark colors however can make a room feel small and cramped.

RoughSurfaced marked by irregularities

This bedroom has a lot of texture. The sleigh bed, the carpet, the room divider behind the bed and the sheets al have different kinds of rough textures. Adding rough surfaces to a room makes it feel cozy and warm.

Dulllacking color

This bathroom appears very dull. It uses dark shaded colors that are very natural colors. The bathtub walls also don’t reflect a lot of light which makes the room appear darker and duller.

SmoothHaving a surface free from irregularities or roughness

This bathroom looks spotless. The lights are so bright they reflect off the countertops and floors. This reflection makes the surfaces all appear smooth and lack texture. Having smooth surfaces is great when you want a clean and fresh look.

ShinyBright from reflected light; glistening

This kitchen is a good example of using shiny surfaces. Using metal and chrome and shiny countertops makes the kitchen look clean, high-tech and modern. Having blinds on the windows instead of curtains also lets more light in which reflects off the surfaces making the room appear brighter.

ProportionThe relationship size of objects or parts of objects to one another and to the design as a whole

The dining room has many objects proportional to each other. There are three chairs on each side of the table and two at the ends with a fruit bowl centerpiece. The four objects on the back table balance with each other and there are two archways in the room which are reflected in the curves of the chairs.

BalanceTo equal in number, weight, force or proportion; a harmonious or satisfying arrangement of parts of an element

This living room has many things that balance with each other. The two vases of flowers balance with each other and the three pillows behind them. They are placed in between the three pillows which help unite the sofa and coffee table. The bookcase in the back balances out with the staircase. If that bookcase was gone there would be an imbalance between the door and stairs and would make the background look awkward.

RhythmA principle of design that creates an effect by using certain colors, lines, forms or textures in a regular pattern

This bedroom has a certain rhythm to it. There are many uses of lines and squares in this design. The pillows have a color and square pattern and the bed sheet has a color and stripe pattern. The bedspread also has a hexagonal pattern which is copied in the pillows.

EmphasisSpecial attention or effort directed toward something

The focal point in this room is the red pillow. The colors around it emphasize the pillow. Green is the opposite color of red in the color wheel which helps it stand out. The black backdrop behind the pillow makes the red pop out and catch the viewer’s attention.