Colors, materials and furnishings are what make a house feel like a home. From paint hues and textured fabrics to natural light, how we feel is influenced by what we see and how the pieces of a home are made. We can bring new life to a space through a series of simple moves, whether it’s through color, materials, surfaces, or textures. The result is a space that reflects individual character and style.
It’s important to understand how the little elements that make up a home work in combination with one another. For a long time, surfaces like ceilings were simply placeholders for lighting. They were often missed opportunities, and now they are regularly referred to as “the fifth wall.” When creating the space that’s best suited to you, ceilings provide another dimension for you to work with. Working in tandem with walls, ceilings can articulate a room’s shape, scale, and proportions to divide and define spaces. In turn, they can enhance a concept or interior design idea.
Beyond an element and surface like ceilings, color makes a small room feel larger, or a spacious one feel more intimate. And better yet, you can do it without the time or expense of moving walls. Colors act in three basic ways, whether active, passive or neutral, and it affects people differently depending on your personal background, context and climate. When used in the right ways, color can even save on energy consumption. At the same time, elements like paints and accent pieces shape the way we feel within a space.
In interior design, texture is closely tied to touch. Rooms with texture hold visual weight; whether it’s an object or surface, it draws attention to itself. Rough textures are more likely to make a space feel intimate and grounded, while smooth textures can feel continuous and streamlined. Consider how wooden benches, satin reading chairs, or marble tabletops all bring a distinct feel to a space. When selecting furniture, rugs or accent pieces, think about how the elements of a room relate to one another and add visual weight.
Combined with surfaces, colors and textures, another key element is lighting. From fixtures and lamps to simple bulbs, lighting is often considered for its function rather than its aesthetic value. There are three basic types of light, and you can combine them around the activities that take place in your home. Once you understand the difference between ambient, task and accent, you can use them to your advantage.
The spaces around us are defined by elements that shape what we see and how we feel, and they work together. Homes are made of many layers. At the same time, our homes are a reflection of our individuality. As colors and textures play off surfaces and furniture, consider how combining interior elements can make a home that’s unique to you.
Eager to turn your space into a dream home? PROJECT AZ is a residential design studio that has worked on many interior design and renovation projects in NYC, from Manhattan penthouses to Chelsea apartments. Lead Designer Ahmad AbouZanat’s focuses on finding unique design solutions that work well with his client’s modern lifestyles.
Contact us today to get started on your next design project.
