Just as in music, rhythm establishes movement. Rhythm in interior decorating assists the eye in moving more easily about the room. There are eight ways that you can use rhythm in design. Repetition, opposition, transition, gradation, progression, radiation, contrast and alternation. What!? Don't worry I am going to explain each type of rhythm in detail.
The first type of rhythm in interior decorating is:
Repetition - Repeat color, pattern, texture, line, light or form to establish rhythm in your space.
- Color - This is the easiest way to establish rhythm, especially if your rooms are primarily neutral (black & white, all gray, or even all tans and browns). Add one or more colors with pillows, accessories, throws, or even an painting an accent wall in another color. If it seems too much just choose one color. Whenever you add that color into your space, make sure that you add something in that color in different spots around the room. Color is a great way to bring attention to a focal point as well.
- Pattern - Your fabrics are another way to keep your interiors from skipping a beat. Using one fabric pattern is a classic way to add rhythm to a bedroom or any room in your home. Curtains, bedspread even a pillow on a chair in the same room will create a pattern in themselves. You can even use the same fabric pattern in different colors throughout your entire home. You know the person who lives in the room below is a diva!
- Texture - Using similar textures to establish rhythm in your space is more subtle. You may not notice it at first, but the longer you look around the more you see. In the picture below, you can see how alike the woven textures of the shade on the window, the lampshade, the fabric used on the sofas and even the area rug on the floor are.
- Line - Line, form, and shape are very similar and can be another way to establish rhythm. Curved lines, horizontal lines, even vertical lines can be repeated throughout. The image below shows an example of repeating horizontal lines.
- Light - Not only can you use multiples of the same light fixture to bring rhythm to your space, but you can also use light itself. Placing light fixtures in all four corners of the room, an overhead light source, and task lighting near chairs will bring light to all areas of your space. The picture below is an extreme, but beautiful example of repeating a lighting element.
image from Kelly Wearstler for Trina Turk showroom, Los Angeles
Remember that too much repetition can be boring. If everything in the room has a similar shape, it might feel overwhelming. If you use too much bright color, it can look chaotic. Look for the next post where I will explain opposition, transition and gradation.
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Copyright© 2011 Christina Rodriguez. All rights reserved.
Your home can be a relaxing haven where you shake off the stresses of your day when you arrive. Peaceful, light-filled rooms that have positive flowing energy can be yours with just one phone call. Contact me, Christina of Diva by Design™, at christina@mydivabydesign.com, or (956) 320-1246 to bring a new harmony to your surroundings. You can also find me at www.sassydecoratingsecrets.com, Facebook and Twitter.
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