Sizing Up Your Space
STORY SHAUNN LIPSEY | PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE CHAJECKI
Whoever told you size doesn’t matter, was likely not a designer. In fact, the ultimate goal of balance and harmony begins with finding the right “fit” for everything in a room – within the context of the space and everything in it.
To arrive at these perfect numbers, there are some no-fail formulas to keep in your back pocket. But before getting into some calculations, it’s crucial to understand the basics of scale and measurement in design. Scale refers to the size of an object in relation to the space it occupies, while measurement involves the accurate sizing and placement of furniture and décor elements within a room. Striking the right balance between the two is fundamental to achieving harmony.
TAKE MEASUREMENTS
Start your design journey by measuring the dimensions of the rooms you plan to decorate. Accurate measurements serve as the foundation to select appropriately scaled furniture and arranging it in a way that optimizes the available space. Pay attention to the width, length and height of the rooms, the position of doors and windows, and the scale of any large items that must be included.
CHOOSE FURNITURE WISELY
When selecting furniture, consider the scale of the room and the proportions of existing pieces. Oversize furniture in a small space can make the room feel cramped, while undersize pieces in a large room may look lost and insignificant. Choose furniture that complements the scale of your space.
CONSIDER CEILING HEIGHT
The height of your ceilings also plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate scale for your décor. High ceilings can accommodate taller furniture and larger artwork, while lower ceilings may benefit from lower-profile furniture and more compact design elements. Keep this in mind to ensure a cohesive look throughout your home. THE RIGHT HEIGHT: The rule of thumb when hanging lighting is the bottom of your fixture should hang 30-to-36 inches up from countertops and tabletops, or seven feet from the floor.
EMBRACE NEGATIVE SPACE
Negative space refers to the empty areas around furniture, and it is as important to a room as the furniture itself. Negative space gives the eye a chance to rest and creates space for people to pass through or sit and breathe freely, without being crowded. In a living room, for example, the goal is to encourage intimacy and conversation, while leaving enough breathing room. To help you achieve both, here are some loose guidelines: 30-to-36 inches between large furniture pieces for pathways. Three-to-five feet between armchairs. 14-to-18 inches between the sofa and coffee table. About seven feet between seating and the television, depending on the overall size of the space. Underestimating or eliminating these gaps will make the space feel cramped, not cosy.
CREATE VISUAL BALANCE
Achieving visual balance is essential in interior design. A well-balanced room feels comfortable and inviting. Balance can be symmetrical, where identical elements are evenly distributed, or asymmetrical, where different elements are used but still achieve equilibrium. Experiment with the placement of furniture and décor to find the most visually pleasing arrangement. Varying proportions can create balance, while adding interest to a room and preventing monotony. Combine furniture of different heights, shapes and sizes to create a dynamic and visually appealing space. THE RULE OF ODDS: There’s a certain appeal to odd numbers, which allow for symmetrical, balanced arrangements. The next time you’re arranging a shelf collection or tabletop display, choose a grouping of three, five or seven, with the tallest at the centre.
A little scale goes a long way. Choosing a piece of furniture that fits into the bigger picture of the room, with all the other furnishings around it, and even the air that surrounds it, gives that piece greater meaning than it would ever have on its own. OH
Shaunn Lipsey is the principal and creative director for Shaunn Lipsey + Co, a Toronto-based design-and-build team.