Principles & Elements of Design: Scale

My last blog was about "Contrast" - very important!

Another critical principle of design is Scale.  An easy example is: size of furniture to size of room or space.  When talking about Scale - it always involves two things.  In this case, furniture and a room size.  Often we over crowd rooms with too much furniture, accessories etc.  Good design results when everything is in Scale to each other.  Another example is too tall or large of a lamp on a small table or visa versa. 

Scale is also relevant in pattern.  A very large pattern repeat is not suitable on a small piece of upholstery - you loose the pattern.  Often times I see coffee tables that are not in scale with the sofa they are used with.

Doing a furniture plan can eliminate obvious mistakes, but an elevation for heights is usually necessary as well.  There are no "rules" I strictly follow on Scale, usually my eye will tell me when something is in or out of Scale.