KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

School Of Engineering
Department Of Civil
Engineering Program:
Architecture

Report on importance of elements & principles of interior design

Subject: INTERIOR DESIGN

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

Srestaa Bhattarai ID. Anuja Silpakar
Roll no: 06 Faculty of Architecture
B.Arch. FY-I Department of Civil
Engineering Kathmandu
University Dhulikhel,
Kavrepalanchowk

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Date of submission: 16th November, 2022

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 ABSTRACT
Interior design is the comprehensive, professional process of developing an interior
environment that addresses, safeguards, and meets human needs (s). to achieve a proper final
interior look, there are various elements and principles that we need to look into.
The report gives more idea about what interior design is, the elements and principles of
interior design, use of colors in interior and how principles of interior can be achieved by
properly arranging the elements of interior design with perspective to color. It also enlightens
readers about different color theory, color schemes, color temperature, color psychology and how it
affects our overall interior design look. Thus, the report helps readers to understand the importance
of elements and principles of interior design with perspective to colors.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my interior design tutor;

“ID Anuja Shilpakar”
for her able guidance and support in completing my report
on elements and principles in perspective with color in interior design. It
was an immense pleasure of having her throughout the study. I would also like to
extend my gratitude for providing me with all the resources required for my
study on contemporary design & also, for her constant support,
consultation, and criticism.

16th November 2022 Shital Pun Magar

B.Arch. FY-I (2018 batch)

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. Title page...................................................................................................................I
B. Overview...................................................................................................................II
C. Acknowledgement....................................................................................................III
D. Table of contents.......................................................................................................IV

1. CHAPTER I: Introduction.........................................................................................5
2. CHAPTER II: Elements of interior design................................................................5
3. CHAPETR III: Color theory......................................................................................7
4. CHAPTER IV: Principles of interior design.............................................................9
5. CHAPTER V: Conclusion.........................................................................................11
References..................................................................................................................25

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 1. CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction to interior design
Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to
achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using
the space. The homemaker, or an employed upholsterer or craftsman who would offer
advice on the artistic style for an interior space, was responsible for interior
decoration throughout the 17th, 18th, and into the early 19th centuries. Because of
how society has evolved and the intricate architecture that has arisen as a result of the
development of industrial processes, the field of interior design has emerged.

1.2. Elements of interior design

 Space
 Line
 Pattern
 Texture
 Light
 Color

1.3. Principles of interior design

 Balance
 Emphasis
 Harmony
 Contrast
 Rhythm
 Scale and proportion

1.4. Importance of elements and principles in interior design

The Interior Designer will create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing
spaces by assessing space requirements, determining optimal furniture placement, and
selecting decorative items, all while adhering to relevant blueprint, building code, and
inspection requirements
Interior decorators have a keen sense of style and understand the aesthetic
value of symmetrical and asymmetrical balance. They can analyze the needs of the
homeowner and combine them with their own design ideas and create a beautiful
living space that brings tranquility to the inhabitants.

2. CHAPTER II: ELEMENTS OF INTERIOR DESIGN

2.1. Space
Space is at the heart of virtually every design decision. Space that is filled with furniture is known as
positive space, while empty space is known as negative. Striking

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a balance between positive and negative space makes it feel inviting. An imbalance of the two can
create a discord in the overall design of a space. For example, leave too much negative space in a
room and it will feel sparse, empty, unfurnished and therefore a bit impersonal. On the other hand,
fill up a room with too much furniture and too many objects and it will feel cluttered, messy and
overcrowded.
 SPACE IN INTERIOR DESIGN
When we zoom in on a smaller area, like the room in the picture below, the
furniture that is used to decorate the interior of the room is evenly balanced by the
open spaces that are left in between the pieces of furniture. Also one reason for the
open feel that we get in this very space is the color choice. The floor and the sofa are
all in lighter tone while few one-seater sofas have been used in the darker tone. Also,
the transparency of the large window that gives a visual connection to the exterior
gives the space a feel of openness. Therefore, while considering space for interior
design, the plain wall, floor, or empty space between the furniture also important.

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 2.2. Line
In design, a line is any two connected points. These lines can be straight or curved, and may be
smooth, rough, continuous, broken, thick, or thin. A line creates division and hierarchy within your
design, helping direct the user's eye toward specific information or a specific focal point. Horizontal
lines are often found in tables, chairs and similar furnishings. Vertical lines are typically from doors,
windows and tall structures like bookcases. Dynamic lines invite action, for example a staircase. Lines
can be used strategically to draw the eyes in whichever direction they run. Vertical lines can be
employed to make the room feel taller whereas horizontal lines will make a room feel wider.
 LINE IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Line in interior design is the heart of form. Its characteristics comprise straight,
vertical, horizontal, diagonal and curved forms and define the shape and volume of
space. Other elements of design include space, texture, form, colour, light and pattern

2.3. Pattern
A pattern is the intentional repetition of forms, lines, or other design elements. They can be
geometric, abstract, floral and more. While patterns can add life and motion to a space, too many
clashing patterns can start to look chaotic, so tread lightly when choosing your favorite prints. An
easier, commitment-free way to introduce patterns into a space is through a piece of art or an area
rug, perhaps even decorative items such as patterned cushion covers.
 PATTERN IN INTERIOR DESIGN
By using pattern in interior design home will take on a whole new feel, depth, and way
light reflects around the room.. Pattern is defined as a repeating element or design that
produces obvious directional movements and is a great way to accent our home.

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2.4. Texture
Texture is the way an object feels. This can mean the way the object literally
feels to the touch, or the sense it gives when simply observing the object i.e. There are
two types; visual and actual. Texture in interior design can come from the texture of a
wall (smooth, matte, glossy), the upholstery used (plush like velvet, soft as satin) and
even the flooring (marble or concrete). They can be categorized as smooth texture &
rough texture.
 TEXTURE IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Texture is, quite simply, an object's physical feeling or visual appearance.
Everything from a nubby boucle throw to a cane screen and a suede wall to a
stone backsplash count as texture in a space.

2.5. Ligh
t
Quality lighting is integral to any space, whether it is natural or man-made. A
balance of both is required to ensure the room is pleasant from morning to night.
There are ways to manipulate and make the most of both these sources of light in a
room. While we cannot directly control the natural daylight coming into a space, we
can minimize or maximize it by the use of skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows and
even furnishings for windows like blinds and curtains. Artificial lighting is broadly
characterized into ambient, accent & task lighting.
 LIGHT IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Natural light has illuminated the inner space well in the image on the right.
Though all the furniture’s and the walls are in whitish tone, they are of various
different shades of white that fully compliments each other. This color combination
has given the space a modern look and made it stylish. Also we can see the
innocence , purity and completion in this interior.

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2.6. Colo
r
Color is more than just an aesthetic choice. In addition to influencing the entire

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 mood and feeling of a space, color can also make a room feel more spacious or more
snug depending on the end goal of our interior design. Color can be used as a
complementary or a contrasting element. It is often based on color psychology to
ensure the right feelings of the room are being set. They are of two types: warm colors
& cool colors.
 COLOR IN INTERIOR DESIGN
When it comes to home design, understanding color theory helps with color
harmonization. It becomes imperative to choose the right colors as the hues can
influence moods, add to the ambiance, and affect how a person feels. Colors play a
role in human psychology and emotions to a considerable extent.

3. CHAPTER III: COLOR THEORY

3.1. Color theory
Color theory is the collection of rules and guidelines which designers use to
communicate with users through appealing color schemes in visual interfaces. To
pick the best colors every time, designers use a color wheel and refer to extensive
collected knowledge about human optical ability, psychology, culture and more.
3.2. Color wheel
The color wheel comprises:
 Primary Colors:
Red, yellow, blue form the foundation of colors.
 Secondary Colors:
Combining primary colors creates secondary colors, such as purple,
green, and red-orange.
 Tertiary Colors:
You may create tertiary colors by combining secondary and primary
colors or primary colors in a ratio of 2:1.

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3.3. Color schemes
In color theory, a color scheme is the choice of colors used in various artistic
and design contexts. For example, the "Achromatic" use of a white background with
black text is an example of a basic and commonly default color scheme in web design.
Color schemes are used to create style and appeal. Examples of color schemes are as
follows:

 Monochromatic:
A variety of tones out of the same hue create a single or
monochromatic scheme.

 Analogous color scheme:

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 You can create it using colors that find a place next to each other on
the color wheel; for example, an ombre color scheme.

 Triadic:
We can create this triadic from hues that are spaced out equally on
the color wheel.

 Complementary:
These are colors on opposite sides of the wheel. Upon mixing two of
these colors, the result will be a muddy brown color.

 Tetradic:
Variants of dual colors are distributed evenly across the color wheel.
 Split Complementary:
These are two colors on opposite ends of the color wheel, with one of
them split into two more adjacent colors. For example, yellow-green.

3.4. Color temperatures

Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) – the lower the number, the warmer the white light
appears, while a higher Kelvin will appear cooler. Colour temperature generally ranges from 2700-
3300K (warm) to 3300-5300 (cool) – and 6500K is daylight.In a color wheel, warm hues are present
around a particular color. In determining a color temperature, one is mindful of the placement of the
color on
the wheel and how close it is to blue and yellow.

 Warm Colors: Yellow, Reds

 Cool Colors: Blue-Green

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3.5. color combinations
Adding any three primary spectral colors (red, green, or blue) to any other
color, along with white, creates a color combination. Creating combinations
involves the color wheel, starting with the primary, and moving to secondary and
tertiary colors.

3.6. Psychological Effects of Colors

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The psychology of color is based on the mental and emotional effects colors have on sighted people
in all facets of life. There are some very subjective pieces to color psychology as well as some more
accepted and proven elements. Keep in mind, that there will also be variations in interpretation,
meaning, and perception between different cultures.

Applying Color Psychology to Everday Life

Did you know your surroundings may be influencing your emotions and state of mind? Do you ever
notice that certain places especially irritate you? Or that certain places are especially relaxing and
calming? Well, there’s a good chance that the colors in those spaces are playing a part.

In art therapy, color is often associated with a person’s emotions. Color may also influence a person’s
mental or physical state. For example, studies have shown that some people looking at the color red
resulted in an increased heart rate, which then led to additional adrenaline being pumped into the
blood stream. You can learn more about how color therapy works and how light and color might
affect us.

There are also commonly noted psychological effects of color as it relates to two main categories:
warm and cool. Warm colors – such as red, yellow and orange – can spark a variety of emotions
ranging from comfort and warmth to hostility and anger. Cool colors – such as green, blue and purple
– often spark feelings of calmness as well as sadness.

The concepts of color psychology can also be applied in everyday life. For example, maybe you’re
planning on re-painting your walls or redecorating a house or room with a new color scheme. Well,
you might want to consider some of these suggestions about colors and how they might affect your
emotions and mood:

Psychological Effects of Cool Colors

Need to be creative? Want help getting those brain synapses firing? Try utilizing the color purple.
Purple utilizes both red and blue to provide a nice balance between stimulation and serenity that is
supposed to encourage creativity. Light purple is said to result in a peaceful surrounding, thus
relieving tension. These could be great colors for a home or business office.

Are you looking for a peaceful and calming environment? You might consider using green and/or
blue. These cool colors are typically considered restful. There is actually a bit of scientific logic
applied to this – because the eye focuses the color green directly on the retina, it is said to be less
strainful on your eye muscles.

The color blue is suggested for high-traffic rooms or rooms that you or other people will spend
significant amounts of time. Another cool color, blue is typically a calming and serene color, said to
decrease respiration and lower blood pressure. The bedroom is a great place to use these colors as
they should help you relax.

Psychological Effects of Warm Colors

Want to create an environment of stimulation or whet people’s appetite? You might consider utilizing
the colors yellow or orange. These colors are often associated with food and can cause your tummy to
growl a little. Have you ever wondered why so many restaurants use these colors? Now you know
why even after people watched the movie SuperSize Me, they said they were hungry.

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You do want to be careful about using bright colors like orange and especially yellow. They reflect
more light and excessively stimulate a person’s eyes which can lead to irritation. You also probably
don’t want to paint your dining room or kitchen these colors if you’re a calorie-counter.

4. CHAPTER IV: PRINCIPLES OF INTERIOR DESIGN

4.1. Balance
Balance means creating visual harmony in the space by ensuring that the
elements in there are evenly distributed. This gives a sense of equilibrium in your
design. Balance is created not just through shape, but through color, pattern, and
texture as well. There are 3 common ways to strike a balance in interior design. They
are symmetrical/formal balance, asymmetrical/informal balance & radial balance.
 BALANCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN
With the large sofa, the table in the center, and the two light structures on
either side of the sofa, the interior space to the right is visually balanced. Also the
greyish much into the whiter tone are complimenting each other while the darker
brownish tone of the lamp on each sides shows the balance white all white interior.

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4.2. Empasis
Emphasis stresses that every room needs one central element as a focal point,
and the other items should complement the emphasis such that focus is always on it.
The emphasis can be a large piece of furniture like a grand piano, an art piece like a
painting, or a design feature such as an accent wall. It can also be in the form of
colour, pattern or texture.
 EMPHASIS IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Wood, metals, and several other materials are all utilized in the space provided
here. The only natural space provided is the rectangular green grassy area in the
center. Thus, be in terms of materials or the color, the rectangle space directly in front
in the photo is emphasised. The white background has given a canvas type space for
the greenish central space and hints of brown used in all parts of the room evenly.

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4.3. Harmony
Harmony is created when all the elements act together to create a unified
message. It creates a sense of restfulness. Harmony can be created using just one
color, even though your forms vary greatly in shape, size, and texture.
 HARMONY IN INTERIOR DESIGN
The ottoman, sofas, rugs, and ornamental mirrors are all neutrally colored and
seem to go well together.

4.4. Rhythm
Rhythm in design is all about creating patterns of repetition and contrast to
create visual interest. It can be achieved by using the same color or shape at different
intervals. Its purpose is to move one’s eye around the room.
 RHYTHM IN INTERIOR DESIGN
The interior's walls are decorated with a design that seems like continuous
lines, which lets the viewer's eye travel from one point to another rather than
remaining stagnant. Also the color is used very wisely that is calm and both peaceful
looking as our eyes move from right to left and top to bottom of this grand space.

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4.5. Scale and proportion
This principle is all about the ratio. Proportion is the ratio between the size of
one part to another, and scale is how the size of one object relates to another or to the
space in which it is placed. There is a golden ratio that designers use – the 1.618 ratio.
An invention of the Greeks, it is used throughout the ages amongst artists and
architects to achieve harmony in design. This ratio sought to reduce all proportion to a
simple formula: The ratio of the smaller section to the larger section should be the
same as that of the larger section to the whole.
 SCALE AND PROPORTION IN INTERIOR DESIGN
A sense of scale and proportion is conveyed by the vase, which is rather huge
in relation to the size of the sofa and table.

4.6. Contrast
Contrast in interior design is created when one combines two or more very
different forms. Again, this can be done either by color (painting opposite colors like
black and white), shape (balancing a round mirror with a rectangular dining table),
proportion, texture or space (positive and negative space balanced together). The
easiest way to achieve contrast is through colors.
 CONTRAST IN INTERIOR DESIGN
The furniture's vivid yellow color stands out sharply against the room's general
black and white color scheme.

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 5. CONCLUSION
Good interior design evokes happiness and soothes the soul. It can inspire confidence, empathy, pride,
creativity, security and energy.Creating a meaningful space that fulfills the needs of the inhabitant and
optimizes their space is one of our key roles as designers and is essential to our society and a good
design will always include the basis principles and elements of design.

REFERENCES
 https://www.flooringamerica.com/blog/7-elements-of-interior-design
 https://www.beautifulhomes.com/magazine/home-decor-advice/guides-and-
how-to-s/the-7-elements-of-design-and-how-to-use-them-in-your-home-
interiors.html
 https://starryhomestead.com/articles/7-principles-of-interior-design-you-
should-know-before-renovating/
 https://dshelldesign.com/elements-and-principles-of-interior-
design/#:~:text=Elements%20and%20principles%20of%20interior%20design
% 20include%20space%2C%20line%2C%20form,that%20takes
%20creativity%20 and%20technicality.
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cCegQIABAA&oq=color+sch&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgAMgQIABBDMgUIA
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BCABDIFCA
AQgAQyBQgAEIAEOgcIABCxAxBDOgsIABCABBCxAxCDAVCHBliREG
C7GGgAcAB
4AIABuAGIAd8NkgEEMC4xMJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB
&sclient= img&ei=ZhFzY_6wO7vEz7sPv-
uZaA&bih=852&biw=871#imgrc=MoJfYHYgBSsf6Ms://www.homedit.com/
lem ents-of-art-and-principles-of-interior-design/