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Decorating Principles

Proportion

Proportion refers to the relationship between the sizes of objects within a space and between objects and the space itself. Good proportion creates harmony—pieces feel like they belong together and in the room. Poor proportion feels immediately wrong: furniture that's too large or too small, artwork that overwhelms or disappears. The golden ratio (approximately 1:1.618) has guided proportional decisions for millennia, appearing in nature, art, and architecture. In interiors, this ratio appears in well-proportioned furniture, artwork placement, and room divisions. While few designers calculate ratios precisely, training your eye to recognize pleasing proportions is essential.

Key Characteristics

  • ✓Size relationships between elements
  • ✓Relationship to room size
  • ✓Based on golden ratio concepts
  • ✓Creates visual harmony
  • ✓Affects comfort and function
  • ✓Applies to all design choices

Types & Variations

Furniture proportion (to room and each other)
Art proportion (to wall and furniture)
Pattern proportion (scale to space)
Accessory proportion (to surface and room)

Works Well With These Styles

All styles fundamental principle

Placement & Usage Tips

Choose furniture that relates to room size—small rooms need smaller or fewer pieces. Hang art proportional to the wall and furniture below. Vary object sizes in groupings for visual interest.

💡 Pro Tip

When furniture shopping, bring room measurements AND a tape measure. Showroom floors make furniture look smaller than it is. That sofa might overwhelm your living room even if it looked perfectly scaled in the store.

Related Terms

Scale

The size of objects in relation to the room and other objects, crucial for creating harmonious spaces.

Golden Ratio

A mathematical proportion of approximately 1:1.618 found in nature and used in design to create aesthetically pleasing, harmonious compositions.

Visual Balance

The distribution of visual weight in a room to create equilibrium, either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

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