The Art of Decor: 8 Elements of Successful Design

Decor is a practical art whose aim is to turn the interior and exterior spaces of buildings into places that are beautiful, practical and comfortable to live and work in. It rests on a set of aesthetic and functional principles that seek balance and harmony between the different elements of a space, and comfort and ease for residents and visitors.

In this article we cover some of the basic concepts and ideas in the art of decor, with examples and ideas for beautiful, practical interior and exterior spaces, a detailed look at the main types of decor, and the foundations a successful decor scheme needs.

What is the art of decor?

The art of decor is the art of decorating and designing interior and exterior spaces, including homes, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, theatres, factories and more. It aims to improve the look of spaces and make them more comfortable, functional and suited to everyday use.

Decor involves many elements, including colours, designs, styles, materials, lighting, furniture and accessories. Methods and trends in decor change over time and are shaped by different cultures and traditions, but the basic aim stays the same: to create comfortable, beautiful and practical spaces for the people who use them.

As for the origin of the term, it comes from French, where it means arranging or fitting out, while its common meaning today is adornment and ornament. Decor is a relatively modern term, but people have practised it since ancient times, out of a natural urge to arrange and coordinate things so that they feel more balanced and harmonious.

The basic elements of decor

Many basic elements can be used in decor to improve the look of spaces and strengthen their function, in both exterior design and interior design. They include the following.

Colours

Colours set the right mood for a space and improve how it feels overall. They should be chosen according to the area and size of each room, with attention to coherence. For that reason it is advisable not to give every room its own colour, because that makes the rooms feel separate from one another; it is better to keep some consistency in colour tones. Light colours such as white and cream, and bright colours such as red, yellow and orange, are considered ideal for small spaces, while dark colours such as black, brown and dark blue are considered ideal for large spaces.

Lighting

Lighting improves the atmosphere of a space and highlights important areas. It can also give colours and materials a more functional role, once the right lighting fixtures have been chosen.

Furniture

Furniture is an important part of decor: it can strengthen the aesthetic character of a space and improve its function. When choosing furniture colours, keep them consistent with the colours of the interior scheme; materials, too, should suit the interior style.

Style and design

Style and design set the overall character of a space and help achieve the intended goal, whether modern, traditional, industrial or rustic.

Types of decor

Many types of decor can improve the look of interior and exterior spaces. Among the most common are the following.

Classic decor

Traditional decor is built on substantial furniture and traditional designs, such as columns, ornament and intricate artistic detail, along with dark colours. Classic style comes in both Western and Eastern forms.

Modern decor

The modern approach relies on simple, elegant designs and uses modern technological materials such as glass, metal and plastic. It tends towards boldness in its use of colour and keeps pace with current trends in design.

Industrial decor

This style tends to use heavy, natural materials such as iron, rough timber and cement, and relies on simple, practical designs. In other words, it draws on styles that are more complex and then simplifies them in execution.

You may also want to read: Neoclassical style in interior and exterior design

The foundations of successful decor design

Successful decor design needs several foundations and principles in order to achieve aesthetic and functional balance in the space. Among the foundations a successful scheme should have:

• Balance: the different elements of the space, such as colours, materials, furniture and lighting, need a good balance, so that the design does not look overloaded with ornament and components.
• Harmony: the design should be coherent and consistent, with good agreement between colours, materials, patterns and shapes.
• Function: interior and exterior spaces should be functional and practical, with enough room for movement, storage and everyday use.
• Good colour choice: choosing the right colours for the space, and making sure they work together, is fundamental to interior design. Check too that they suit the nature of the space and how it is used.
• Lighting: lighting should be considered, since it can enhance colours and materials, strengthen the atmosphere of the space and highlight unique pieces or artworks.
• Individuality: the design should be unique and different from others, express the owner's personality and suit their taste.
• Updating: the design should be refreshed from time to time to keep a modern look and stay in step with new trends in decor.
• Comfort: the design should be comfortable and enjoyable, with places to relax and rest.

Common mistakes in home decor

There are some common mistakes people make when designing home decor. They include:

1. No advance planning, which may lead to repeated mistakes later on.
2. Using too many bright colours, which can distort the look of the space and unbalance it.
3. Lacking aesthetic and functional balance in the space, focusing on one element such as colour or furniture and neglecting the rest.
4. Choosing oversized furniture for a small space, which can make it feel cramped and crowded.
5. Lacking coherence between the different elements of the space, so that they clash and the overall look of the decor is distorted.
6. Not thinking about lighting; using the wrong lighting can harm the overall look of the space.
7. Relying on current fashion when designing home decor, without regard for the owner's own style and personality.
8. Ignoring practical and functional aspects such as storage, circulation and everyday use.
9. Not providing comfort: leaving too little space to rest, relax and enjoy time at home.
10. Overdoing the decor: too much ornament, decoration and furniture can make a place look crowded and impractical.

Examples of simple, refined home decor

Many ideas and approaches can be used to design a simple, refined home. Among them:

• Calm, soft colours such as white, beige, grey and light blue, to create a quiet, refined atmosphere.
• Natural light: make the most of it by opening windows and doors, and use light curtains to let in the right amount of daylight.
• Simple furniture: use simple, light, functional pieces to leave enough room inside for movement and storage.
• Indoor plants: use them to create a fresh, pleasant atmosphere and to supply fresh oxygen inside the home.
• Wooden floors: use plain, clean timber floors for a warm, refined atmosphere.
• Simple accessories: use simple, soft accessories that suit the overall decor of the home.
• Empty walls: leave some walls bare instead of hanging many pictures and paintings, to keep to the rule of simplicity.
• Light curtains: use light, soft curtains that let daylight in naturally.
• Harmony between elements: achieve harmony between the different elements of the space, with aesthetic and functional balance between them.

Planning ahead

Prepare a plan in advance and form a clear vision for the space you are designing. Set your own budget, and think about colours, materials, furniture, lighting and accessories before you begin designing.

Making the most of the space

Use the space well and achieve an aesthetic and functional balance, leaving enough room for movement and storage. Make the most of corners, which can free up more usable space.

Keeping things coherent

The hard equation in interior design is keeping coherence and balance: it is not easy to achieve coherence between interior elements. If you manage it, one colour will not dominate another, and the style will not contradict the design tradition you have chosen.

Read also: Colour coordination in decor

Attention to detail

Pay attention to the small details and balance the different elements of the space, to arrive at the intended look without complication or exaggeration.

Choosing furniture and accessories well

It is essential to choose furniture and accessories that suit the space, and to provide furniture that is practical, functional and comfortable. It is advisable for furniture to be dynamic, meaning adjustable and changeable so that it suits any interior space.

Simplicity

Interior design does not demand luxury. Your budget does not need to be exaggerated, nor the effort enormous, for the design to be ideal; it is enough for it to be simple. Simple elements and objects bring a certain splendour and striking beauty, and they provide the right measure of luxury.