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Interior Design – The 7 Elements Of Making Your House A Home

A home that looks like every bit as beautiful as a magazine spread, very rarely happens by accident.  A keen eye for detail and a way with colour and texture can turn a plain looking living area into something utterly beautiful.  Finely crafted spaces lift our mood and make us fall in love with our surroundings.   Interior design is the art and science of how we use these elements to enhance the space and features around us.

At Merlin Interiors we understand that successful interior design is a combination of many different elements, all coming together to create breathtakingly beautiful homes and spaces.   Famously known as the 7 elements of interior design, expert designers are able to pull together a variety of features to completely change the look and feel of any room.

  1. Space

The shape and size of a room, as well as additional features like doors and windows, all effect the way an interior design is created.   Ceiling heights, alcoves or permanent structures like fireplaces will also need to be taken into consideration.  An interior designer will take every single centimetre of the space you want to be transformed, and use areas of “positive space”, where there will be furniture or objects and “negative space, that will remain empty.  Your space is your blank piece of paper which forms the staring point for your transformation.

2.  Light

Light (and shade) can change the look, feel and impact of a room in an instant.  Nearly all designs are created to maximise both the light, both natural and artificial.  There are 4 types of lighting which designers consider when drafting a design.  Natural light is of course the most obvious, followed by task lighting that illuminates bedside tables or desk areas, mood lighting which enhances the ambiance of a room and accent lighting that highlights particular features.

3. Line

Divided into three categories; horizontal, vertical and dynamic, line provides the basis for form and shape in any room.  An interior designer will use line to produce the correct forms in any space. Horizontal lines group a room and are enhanced by solid objects like tables and chairs, vertical lines add a feeling of freedom, and are usually windows or doors, while dynamic lines add movement and energy to a room and bring colours and patterns together in harmony.

4. Form

Simply put, form is the shape of the space and the things that you put into it.  Using scale, proportion and balance, your interior designer will create a natural flow.  Forms can be natural of man-made, open of closed forms and positive or negative forms that add or detract from the functionality of the room.

5. Colour

The use of colour can dramatically change the look and feel of a room.  A soft palette creates a calming ambience, while dramatic, bold colours add drama and excitement.  Darker colours draw the walls in, making spaces look smaller, whereas pale colours add the feeling of light and space.  Most of us have colours that we like and dislike, and an interior designer will be able to work with our create a space using colour to enhance both your living space and your mood.

6. Patterns And Textures

Closely linked with colour, patterns should tie in nicely with your colour scheme and the feel of the room.  Upholstery fabric, cushions, rugs, curtains and blinds all help to add depth and contrast to any space.  A rough texture creates a cosy, homely feeling, while smooth or shiny materials creates a more formal appearance. Contrasting textures and colours to make them look amazing is a real skill, and one that interior designers really enjoy.

Here at Merlin Interiors our dedicated interior design team can transform your house into the home of your dreams.  Our fined honed design skills, combined with our expert ways with curtains and drapes, can add interest depth and character to any room in your home.  To find out more, contact us today on  01271 375313.