Golden Ratio

The golden ratio is a mathematical proportion (approximately 1:1.618) found throughout nature and classical architecture, believed to create inherently pleasing visual relationships. Also known as phi or the divine proportion, this ratio appears in seashells, flower petals, classical Greek temples, and Renaissance paintings—and remains a powerful tool in interior design for creating harmonious spaces. Designers apply the golden ratio to determine ideal furniture sizes relative to room dimensions, artwork placement heights, and the relationship between furniture groupings. While not a rigid rule, the golden ratio provides a mathematical foundation for proportion decisions that feel naturally balanced. A sofa that's roughly 1.618 times wider than it is tall, or a gallery wall where the largest piece relates to smaller pieces by this ratio, tends to feel more harmonious than arbitrary proportions.