Chooseday: Five elements of design

The best way to start a design project is to familiarise yourself with the five elements of design:


Line - this directs the eye towards to focal point in a room, it can be curved, straight, horizontal or vertical. Straight lines tend to feel strong and masculine, whereas curvy lines reminds more of the softer and feminine side. All of a room's elements may contain line, the architecture: doors, windows, arches and floors, as well as the decor: fabrics, wallpaper, accessories and furniture.


Color - creates a mood and always exerts an emotional response, this tends to be the most important of the design principles. Studies conducted have shown that certain colors like the colour red invites our appetite (great for a kitchen) whereas the colour blue depresses appetite.


Texture - strong or rough textures like iron, hammered steel and denim fabrics exempt a masculine feel, whereas soft, shiny and sleek items provides for a softer, feminine feel.


Mass - "the amount of space or visual weight an object tends to have". A great example to demonstrate this concept is an upholstered sofa or grand piano. A glass dining room table with the same physical dimensions, places in the same space does just not carry as much visual weight. This element of design creates balance in a room.


Form - Form refers to the actual shape of an element or item in the room. If the walls are tall and slender then the best choice for furniture will also be tall and slender. The form of the furniture should echo the form of the room’s architectural elements.