Home Decorating & Gardening

The elements of design may be used to create a beautiful home and garden.

Attractive home decoration and gardening can be achieved by following some of the elements of design to create an inviting home and beautiful garden.

Proportion

Proportion is how the size of an item relates both to the size of the space and other pieces contained within that space. For example, small trees and shrubs look best planted in a small garden while larger trees and shrubs look appropriate in a spacious garden.

Balance

Balance makes a room or space aesthetically pleasing; a area's balance may be asymmetrical, or not identical on both sides, or symmetrical, meaning identical on both sides. For example, an asymmetrical design may feature a couch arranged with an end table on one end and a floor lamp on the other, while a symmetrically designed garden would include plants arranged in an orderly geometric arrangement.

Contrast

Achieve contrast by utilizing a cohesive style throughout your home and garden but in varying colors, patterns or shapes. An example of contrast could be the use of throw pillows in a multitude of patterns or textures. In your garden, use plants in different textures and colors.

Rhythm

Rhythm pulls everything together through repetition. Utilize the same colors, theme and patterns throughout the area to create rhythm. For example, match your window treatments to your bedding or group the same flowers and plants together.

References

• "Fine Gardening": Pleasing Rhythm Makes a Garden Sing
• The Creative Home: Interior Decorating - The Basics
• Farmingdale State College: The Twin Principles of Garden Layout

Resources

• Color Matters: Color Theory
• DecoratorSecrets.com