Decorating Principles
Scale
Scale refers to the size of objects in relation to the human body and to the room they occupy. While related to proportion, scale specifically considers whether things feel appropriately sized for human use and habitation. A perfectly proportioned dollhouse would have terrible scale for actual living.
Getting scale right ensures rooms feel comfortable and functional. Furniture should accommodate human bodies, ceiling heights should feel appropriate to room size, and decorative objects should read at the distances they'll be viewed. Scale mistakes make spaces feel awkward even when other design elements are well-executed.
Key Characteristics
- ✓Size relative to human body
- ✓Size relative to room volume
- ✓Affects comfort and usability
- ✓Different from proportion
- ✓Creates appropriate environment
- ✓Considers viewing distance
Types & Variations
Furniture scale (for human comfort)
Room scale (ceiling height to floor area)
Art scale (for viewing distance)
Grand scale (oversized, dramatic)
Intimate scale (cozy, smaller)
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
In large rooms with high ceilings, use larger furniture and bigger art to fill the visual space. In small rooms, don't automatically choose tiny furniture—one appropriately scaled piece often works better than many small ones.
💡 Pro Tip
Test scale before purchasing by marking furniture dimensions with tape on your floor. Stand in the room and imagine the pieces at those sizes. This simple exercise prevents many scale mistakes.