Enlarging rooms with the use of lines

This week’s Interior Design article is going to be about the use of lines in your rooms.  As one of the basic elements of design, it is crucial to know more about these things that often pass by, unnoticed and without getting any special attention.

This stands in stark contrast to the high value a line can add to the desired area. It is characteristic, that lines only describe the length and width and not the depth, which is why lines in interior design are defined as two dimensional elements that move the eye around the room. Lines mark the shortest distance between two points and can be found in a great variety of different designs. They can be seen, when looking at the architecture of a room, the furniture shapes or even the patterns on fabrics and wallpaper. A line has the power to control two things: firstly it controls how the eye moves around the room and secondly it controls how people feel.

The five types of lines are vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved and transitional. The picture below shows you how to distinguish the different kinds from each other.

Vertical lines have the attributes that give the person an uplifting feeling. They move the eye towards the sky, inspire and give a higher impression. These lines enable a room to appear with a lot of dignity, because they enclose a formal, majestic effect within them. The taller the vertical line is, the more imposing it appears. The majestic characteristic is the reason why vertical lines are closely intertwined with classic forms. With this insight it is easy for you to make the height of a room appear higher. Add a tall vertical line of any kind which the eye will follow from one end to another. Tall windows also combine vertical features within them and create the illusion of extra height, because the eye is pulled in a vertical direction.

Horizontal lines on the other hand, create a restful and calm atmosphere. They incorporate an informal style and draw a special attention to the width. The peaceful characteristics suggest a more casual design. The horizontal lines of low sofas and bookshelves carry the eye around to add width, thus evoking more interest in the broadness of a room. Another easy trick is to put small objects in the area. To create a continuous line on a blank wall, a good way to add width is to align the top of picture frames on a wall evenly.

Diagonal lines incorporate the opposite effects of horizontal lines. They imply instability, because they move the eye rapidly. Through their visually interesting features, diagonal lines create an active and energetic feeling in the room. A special appearance of diagonal lines is the V-shapes that are called chevron.  Especially with diagonal lines, it is important to not overuse them. The wanted movement can easily turn to the appearance of confusion with too many angles and make the room seem off balance. Generally speaking, overusing diagonal lines means that the room as a whole seems too busy.

Curved lines might be a very good alternative in the case of the danger of overusing diagonal lines. Curved lines do not incorporate sharp angles and move the eye very gently and seem very graceful and delicate. The fluidity that is suggested makes a room appear feminine and soft, just like smoothly approaching waves on the ocean shore.

Transitional lines are used to soften a right angle by leading the eye softly from vertical to horizontal lines, like shown in the picture. Right angles can be found in a lot of places everywhere in the house: from wall corners to baseboards. Even the furniture possesses right angles, for example chairs where the back and the seat meet. To find a remedy, simple elements can be used. Throwing pillows on the bed, putting plants in the corner, hanging up draperies in windows or featuring decoration on top of shelves are simple tricks with great effects. Transitional lines lead the eye softly from vertical to horizontal lines.

Thanks for reading and hopefully you learned something new. Next week’s article will be about using form.

photo: flickr/rogue-design