A well-designed space is more than just an arrangement of furniture, more than just making sure everything matches and looks nice. The careful use of scale in interior design makes all the difference in ensuring that the room feels balanced and harmonious. Suppose one piece or area of the room is noticeably larger or smaller than another. In that case, it can throw off the balance of the whole room and result in something that feels visually unbalanced and aesthetically displeasing. But how do you use scale effectively in your space? Here’s a quick primer on understanding scale and how to use art to achieve balance in your interior design projects!

What is scale?

Scale is an important aspect when it comes to interior design. It is the relationship between the size of the furnishings and the space. The scale can be large, small, or anywhere in between. A room will feel comfortable if there is balance between the scale of furniture and space. For example, placing furniture with a larger scale than the space may make the room feel crowded or claustrophobic, while placing furniture with a smaller scale than the space may make it feel unbalanced or empty. 

How can art create balance and visual interest in a space?

Interior design is all about balance. Whether you’re working on a large or small space, knowing the basics of scale is essential. The use of art can help create visual balance, so make sure you take that into consideration when choosing your pieces. Here are some tips on using art in your space:

Choose the Focal Point of the Room

Choosing a focal point and building around it is a fantastic approach to achieve proportion and size in a space. All the elements in a room can interact naturally when there is a strong focal point. For example, a stunning piece of artwork hung above the fireplace can act as the focal point around which the room’s design can be centered. 

Add Visual Interest With Large Art

Oversized furniture pieces will make a small room or a room with a low ceiling feel crowded. However, large pieces of art are excellent methods to add visual interest to small spaces without making them feel smaller.