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Ever wonder why the rooms in design magazines look so good? Often find yourself in a room that just feels “off” but you don’t know why? Ever wonder what the pros know to add that perfect sense of depth to a room? The secret is balance. Like any other aspect of our lives the rooms in our home should exemplify a balanced approach to living. It’s the positive and negative, yin and yang, darkness and light that give a room texture and depth.
Often the one thing that’s missing in those “I can’t put my finger on it but I just don’t like that room” rooms is a sense of balance. Dark feature walls or heavy furniture on one side of a room with nothing visually substantial on the other side gives the subconscious sense that the room is “tipping” to one side. Too much of a hard surface (such as tile or glass) in a room can make it feel cold and clinical. Too many soft surfaces (like an excess of toss cushions with heavy drapery and needlepoint wall hangings) can make a room seem stuffy and claustrophobia-inducing.
One analogy that I like to use in explaining the need for balance is that of pairing wine with food. Just as you wouldn’t pair Beef Wellington with a fruity Chardonnay, you wouldn’t try to balance a chocolate brown armoire on one side of your living room with nothing but a skinny white floor lamp on the other. In both cases the stronger element would vastly overpower the lighter element, disturbing the sense of balance.
Need to dress up that sofa? Try adding toss cushions that contrast with the sofa’s upholstery. For example, if you have a cream microfibre sofa, try adding raw-silk cushions in a deep or vibrant colour. The sheen of the silk will visually balance the matte finish of the microfibre upholstery. Have a leather chair that’s looking lifeless? Try draping a wool or alpaca throw over the back of it. The soft texture of the throw will balance the harder texture of the leather.
Windows looking one-dimensional? Try layering dark panels with light sheers underneath. Are your Venetian blinds lacking vision? Try adding a dramatic valance to the top, or go all-out and add sheers, panels, and a matching valance…just make sure to balance the opposite wall with something of similar visual weight. When you’re standing in the middle of the room your eye should not be drawn to one specific item or element, but instead should take in everything as a whole.
Another way to create balance is to layer pieces from different design styles with each other. One traditional element (such as a Neo-Classical sculpture or an ornate gilt-framed mirror) in a room that is otherwise starkly modern can give a sense of context and depth. One look that I love is to pair modern track-arm sofas with French Provenciale antiques. Found objects, family heirlooms, and flea market finds are great layering pieces. Everything in a room should have a story (whether real or completely fabricated!). A nicely balanced room should be timeless.
Above all, have fun with your space, and when in doubt, call on the pros! We’re happy to help!
By Jeff James (as published in Renovations magazine)
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