Balance is a word and concept all home decor enthusiast should know. It’s one of the important elements of decor. I’m so excited about today’s post. It marks the first in an eight-part series series about the element of decor. For the next several weeks we will be looking at very important concepts that if put into practice will make all of us better decorators. Let’s dig right into today’s subject… balance!
Today I’m sharing my very balanced living room. In fact, it is the most balanced room in my home.
WHAT IS BALANCE?
Balance is a hard definition to pin down. It’s more of a feeling than a concrete definition.
I like to visualize a scale. The goal is to keep the scale balanced.
Now divide your room down the middle and put all the things on one side of your room on one side of the scale. And do the same with the other side. Balance is the artistic task of making the scale balance in the middle! Not tipped too much to one one side or the other.
Everything you have in a room has visual weight. Some things “weigh” more to the eye than others. A room that seems relaxed and pleasing and looks beautiful is usually a balanced room.
Here’s another way to think about it. How would you feel if you walked into your living room and all everything in it was on one side of the room except a chair? Would you feel comfortable? Would it feel odd to be in that room? Of course!
Balance is how we place everything in a space and how those things relate to one another.
Here are some important decorating terms that relate to balance and are good to know and put into practice.
SCALE AND PROPORTION
Most of us probably think that scale and proportion are the same things. They are certainly related but they are not interchangeable.
Scale is all about choosing furnishings and accents in a room to fit the space. Home furniture and such should work with the size of the room it is put in. Think about how an overstuffed sofa would look in a very small room. Would it make you feel crowded and uncomfortable? Or how would a tiny table look in a massive dining room? Lost, for sure! That is scale!
The main pieces of furniture should set the tone for the scale of the room. There is wiggle room with the scale rule when it comes to accessories.
Now let’s turn our attention to proportion. When we think about proportion we need to think about how the objects in a room relate to one another. They can and should differ in size and shape and height and even scale to some degree. But they should play nicely together. And make sense in relation to one another.
It is like a dance. They all need to be in step and participate to make the room look attractive.
SYMMETRY and PAIRS
Symmetry is an easy and beautiful way to add balance to a room. It gives a room a feeling of order and comfort. Symmetry is extremely pleasing to our eyes. Symmetry is the idea of one side of something being the same as the other. Think of a mirror image.
We love symmetry because it is everywhere in nature
- our bodies
- nautilus shells
- butterflies
- birds with their wings spread
- snowflakes
- milky way galaxy
- sunflowers
Symmetry is all around us. We are quite symmetrical. As humans, we love the feel of symmetry. How does that transfer when we are talking about decorating? When we create decor is a matched set we have a type of symmetry. Did you know that your eye (really our brains) travel around a room looking for repeated things? Shapes, sizes, texture etc. And our eyes LOVE symmetry!
Think of all the decor that is often paired…
- table lamps
- side tables
- chairs
- bedside tables
- mirrors
- pillows
- candles or lanterns
These are just a few of the items we put into our homes in pairs. And when we match them on either side of a focal point (later post) we create magic! Instant symmetry and a feeling of beauty!
Here are pairs in my living room…
- lamps
- pillows (two sets)
- white spindle chairs
- baskets under the coffee table
- curtains
ASYMMETRY and TENSION
Now that we know about mirror image symmetry let’s let things get a tad different. When things look too perfect they can often look a little (yawn) boring! This is where asymmetry, another type of symmetry, comes into play.
Asymmetry is when things in a room are balanced but they are not mirror images. Think of a sofa with a side table and lamp on one side of it and a tall tripod floor lamp on the other.
Or think of a desk with a chunky task lamp on one side and a vase of flowers grouped with a small decorative box and a mercury glass votive on the other. It’s still balanced. Just not a mirror image. The visual weight is the same even if the objects aren’t.
Asymmetry is a more casual look. Always strive for balance within an asymmetrical look. When done right it is still as pleasing to the eye, if not more, as mirror image symmetry.
Things in the living room that are asymmetrical…
- end tables
- Curlacue chest and flower chair
- architectural art and shelf flanking spindle chairs
- plant and hanging lamp shade
Now a quick note about tension. I must admit I love a little tension. But only in decorating! It is the thing that makes a room seem extraordinarily interesting and full of life. It is the element of surprise and is the tale tell sign of your own personality.
When I decorate a room I like to go back and mess things us a bit. Even just a little. A piece of furniture painted a wild color. Or a chair with a fun pattern or something as simple as a pillow that looks a tad out of place.
Tension does just what it says… makes you a little tense! You know something may not be symmetrical, a little bit off, but it is not so wrong that it makes the room look uninviting. It brings just enough tension to a room and that it is a very good thing!
If you have a room that looks too perfect it may need a bit of tension to make it perfectly imperfect!
The zebra rug in my living room adds a good dose of tension! It’s a surprise and is soooooo me!
There you go! Now YOU know about balance and its design friends! I hope you will look at your room with a critical eye for balance. It will make a big difference in how a room looks.
Make sure to pin this and the following Elements Of Decor to have a small encyclopedia of sorts on how to decorate!
You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see what I’m finding to pin every day HERE.
Love this blog! So informative. With that said I was wondering is there a rule for end table height related to the arm of a sofa or chair? Also how to pick the right lamp shade size for a lamp.
Hi Vickie, there is a rule of thumb height for an end table. It should be about the same height as the arm of a sofa. However, this is one rule I so seldom follow. Great question about the lampshade. Look for a post about this topic soon.
How do you keep your white couches clean?
Hi Mary, We don’t eat on them or have little ones with shoes on them or pets. Both of my white-ish sofas are covered with “performance” fabric. So spills and dirt wipe up easily. And I have them cleaned and scotch guarded every year or two. That also extends the life of a sofa. Hope this helps, Mary!
help! i’m trying to figure out how to balance a long loving room wall. the ceiling height drops 2/3rds the way across so it feels like the ceiling is coming down on you on the left side. how do i decorate the wall to balance it out?
Wow, this is a tough one, but we certainly can tackle it! Email me and I can give you some suggestions.
Your design tips and mini lessons are perfect. There were feelings that I had while decorating each room of my home and your simple explanation regarding rule of 3, colors, symmetry and balance explain those feelings. Now when I look at those rooms I understand what is right and what needs some simple adjustments. Thank you!
Hi Yvonne, I’m new to your blog and LOVE your style. I’m considering a jute/sisal area rug for my family room. I see you use them, are they comfortable to walk, sit on? I have young grandkids and dogs….wondering how they will hold up? I would appreciate any advice. Finding an area rug has been a big dilemma for me since adding dark luxury vinyl plank flooring. (I live in Florida and hardwoods don’t work here). Like you I have a refined farmhouse/cottage style with a little modern thrown in. My sofas a grey leather and I have teal and cream accent chairs. I accent with teal/aqua & ivory
Hi Connie, I think jute rugs are an inexpensive alternative to traditional rugs. They offer lots of texture to a room and are very easy to live with. I have grandbabies and dogs too! Just read the reviews on them as they are not as plush as many other rugs, but some are quite nice. Unlike other rugs, they do tend to shred a bit, but I vacuum a lot so it does not bother me. When my babies were tiny I would put a large blanket on top of the rugs for them to play. Hope this helps, Connie!
The photograph directly under “Symmetry andP Pairs “ shows a painting that I just love above the sofa. Is ot an original? Can I get prints? Any information you’ve got would be really appreciated!
Thanks so much!
For some time you have featured a wall painting of row houses on the water. It is usually displayed over a sofa.
Could you please tell me where I can purchase this?
Most sincerely, Cassandra
Hi Cassandra, you can find the painting here https://kesslerart.com/
I know you have posted this in the past. I LOVE the colors of your painted walls and trim.
Please let me know what Brand and colors you use. This is such a soothing and elegant combination.
Here is a post with my colors:https://www.stonegableblog.com/reasons-love-stonegable-color-palette/
Hi Yvonne. I am signed up for your class…….. can’t wait. I am so excited to have help in determining my style. A quick question. There are areas of the above post that do not seem loaded to pin. Am I missing something?? Even in the 3rd post, Elements of Design …Color it is missing the posts to pin.Thanks so much,
Esther
I look forward to every post! Would you please tell me where I can find the small books on your shelves next to the fireplace. Thank you for all your wonderful posts.
I made them. You can see how to make them here:https://www.stonegableblog.com/burlap-covered-book-diy/ and https://www.stonegableblog.com/painting-books-diy/
I liked and appreciated this post so much. I plan to save it for further use. I very much appreciate a blog that is worth my time reading.
Very very well done. Excellent in fact.
Favor: describe your rug please.
Hi Jo Ann, the rug is sisal with a faux zebra pelt over it. Hope this helps!
Yvonne, I have been looking for pillows for my couch after reading your pillow blog . I love these pillows on this couch and they are the perfect color I need . Where did you find them? I love reading your blog and have loved your tips and made some of your recipes. Thank you for adding to my life.
Hi Kerma, The small pillow was from a local shop. The larger pillow was from Pottery Barn and I don’t see it right now. Look for it in the summer, it usually is in stock. Hope this helps. Have a blessed day!
Great advice.
PS: YAY! You got rid of the bookcase! 🙂
Yvonne — You knocked it out of the park, with your description of “balance”. Thanks for explaining how we need to divide our room(s) down the middle and put all the things on one side of the room; then do the same with the other side. “Balance is the artistic task of making the scale balance in the middle! Not tipped too much to one one side or the other.” Perfectly stated so that I can visualize and understand. Thank you.
So glad this post has helped, Lois!
What can you share about the rule of threes in decorating? Loved your post! jw
Group things in odd numbers. They look better. I’m not taking about big furniture pieces but accents. Our eyes love the beauty and balance of three items grouped together. Hope this helps.
Love your decorating style. Where did you purchase the three drawer chest in your living room?
Hi JoAnn! This chest is from Hooker. I found it on Wayfair but I have not seen it for a while. You may want to look for it on the Hooker furniture website. Hope this helps.
Really good ideas to pin. Also I was thinking before you said it that the tension in your room is the zebra rug! Doesn’t seem at all like you!!
This has been so helpful Yvonne – thank you!
I’ve always admired your coffee table basket. It appears oval or round. You use it in many ways. Where is it from? Thank you. Kinda reminds me of a pottery barn basket.
Hi Chris, it is round. I have two. Both came from HomeGoods.
I absolutely love that oval basket on your coffee table, and it would look perfect on mine! Could you tell me where I could buy it?
I found the basket at HomeGoods.
At first when I read this article I thought I was definitely lacking in the concept balance in my family roo since I have neither matching chairs,lamps or tables in the room. But on further examination I realized I have used the concept of balance and weight more than symmetry in my decor. I do have symmetry on my mantle and with my sofa pillows but that’s about it. A lamp I have on a table is balanced by a plant of similar height on the other side of the room and a grouping of three objects on one side of the fireplace hearth is balanced by another grouping of objects in the other side which have the same weight. I guess I am doing something right because the room feels right and gets many compliments. Thank you Yvonne.
Kathy! So glad this post affirmed your decorating! YOU GO GIRL!
Great advice, Yvonne! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Yvonne,
I have scrolled back and read about every single post you’ve written! This post is just one example of why I love reading your blog. You offer such an abundance of decorating knowledge. So many blogs I’ve come across seem like they are showing off but you teach us how to be better decorators. I’m so thankful I found your podcast and in turn your blog. My hubby knows that Yvonne is my favorite! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thanks for such a glowing compliment, Ashley! My goal is to share my decorating knowledge. Yah!!!!
Love this post, especially since I am putting the finishing touches on our living by following your advice about shopping my house! Just waiting on the Hubs to install the pair of wall lamps to balance the lighting. Everything old seems new again. I even corralled all my favorite littles into a glass-doored end table that I moved from bedtable duty in the guestroom.
Dear Yvonne,
I absolutely adore your blog! I look forward to each new post and your wonderful advice on everything! Is there anyway you could help me with the artwork of the “ Houses with Trees?” It would look so perfect in my new home. If not that same print maybe on how to contact the artist and purchase one of his other prints.? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you for bringing love,faith and joy to us lovers of our home, family and friends.
Judi
Judi you can see all about the artist HERE: http://www.stonegableblog.com/7-foolproof-ways-to-choose-art-for-your-home/
hi Yvonne, I simply love the pillows on your sofa and I was wondering where could I find them. I love your style. Thanks
The large anchor pillows came from Pottery Barn a few years back. The ones with the ruffle came from a local shop and the middle pillow from Ballard Designs.
Such an interesting post, Yvonne. I need to pay more attention to balance in my own home.
Yvonne I love your style! What a beautiful room! I also enjoy your input on your podcast!
Wow. No wonder I’m not comfortable in my room. Kept thinking it was color, but there is absolutely no symmetry. I never had any education in design, thank you for your instructive posts.
Great post, so much to learn and put to use
I will be referring to this post more times than I can count.
It so reminds me of a class I took my freshman year of college
about rules of design. That book is still in my library and tonight
it will be pulled down to refresh and compare with your delicious
post.
There are definitely reasons why we love rooms so much
without knowing why. You nailed it.
This was great, Yvonne! Thank – you for sharing… ??. I will definitely save this for future reference!!!
What a great article and perfect timing for me! My home Is being repainted from top to bottom and when it is complete; I will have a blank canvas to redecorate. Looking forward to read this series.