Why do lines matter?

When decorating or redecorating, composition is key to creating a homely feel or looking like a modern art masterpiece.

The way you arrange items and the patterns you choose in your home can effect the atmosphere and the emotion a room creates. For example, patterns and arrangements with straight lines can be seen as elegant or dominant, while diagonal or curved lines give a more dynamic feel with a sense of movement.

Vertical lines in buildings and in the home can represent power and strength, such as the bold statement made with vertical blinds. Horizontal lines on the other hand can be seen as pointing us towards the sunset or sunrise, providing a more calming effect.

A well-chosen blend of styles can create a satisfying design overall – patterns and placement of items can be combined to draw focus to your favourite pieces or display your decorating efforts in all their glory.

We spoke to two designers who gave us their top tips on how to make the best use of lines in your home, creating the perfect mood for you.

Patterns in the home

Experienced UK-based interior product designer, Sarah Parris of Parris Wakefield Additions, shares her thoughts on using patterns around the home:

“People tend to have some inherent preconceptions about pattern. Straight lines are generally thought of as formal, serious, they reflect order and stability. For example a pin striped suit is associated with formality, respectability and status whereas a more flamboyant patterned dress is more rebellious. These basic ideas generally follow through into architecture and interiors, however, with the addition of colour the whole mood can change.

For example in this Mondrian inspired New York Apartment:

It is decorated only using the straight lines of the building but it feels far from formal. The bright colours give it a sense of fun; it is now less serious but it is not a relaxing room.

Pattern has an interesting effect on a room; small scale patterns tend to make rooms feel smaller, somehow less ‘confident’, but put a large scale pattern in the same room and it will open up and actually become less busy and more structured.

Flowing and curvaceous patterns feel more natural and organic, so make a room more relaxing. Straight lined geometric patterns typically feel more controlled, less free and are therefore less relaxing.”

Placement and composition

Rhiannon Gillis, hailing from sunny L.A, is an accomplished interior designer with over 10 years’ experience. Here she shares her thoughts on placing elements in the home:

“Patterns and colours have a high impact on how they make us feel. This is why it is important to consider something like this when adding certain elements to our home. In the interior design world it is common to use vertical and horizontal lines in order to trick the eye and make a space feel larger in some way.

Grand illusions

When trying to create the illusion that a room is taller than it appears, it is not uncommon to paint the ceiling a lighter colour, or use furniture that is on the shorter side – my favourite way include the use of linear elements. I love using oversized art or mirrors to accomplish this.

When you bring in these mirrors, it is a great idea to make them rectangular, and incredibly tall. As you can see in the image above, the size of the mirror is extreme and nearly takes up the entire wall. However doing this really draws your eyes up, and gives the illusion of great height.

Wide and open

When trying to make a room feel wider, horizontal lines are key. My favourite way to achieve this is to use wall shelves. Techniques like this are common in kitchens and living room spaces. You want to be sure you are using items that line up the space nicely and are done in and orderly fashion. This also gives the illusion of balance, which is important for a harmonious effect.

Dramatic Spaces

Lastly, the way you place your furniture in your home is a great way to stretch out your space. For example, allowing for an area that is open, and uses longer shaped pieces gives the sense of added space. Having two long sofa’s balance out an equally long coffee table and area rug, makes the room shown here look dramatically larger than it is.”