Rhythm. The Beat of Design.

Dior window in Paris.

Do you feel the beat? That’s rhythm and it’s one of the Seven Principles of Design.

BALANCE HARMONY EMPHASIS RHYTHM SCALE CONTRAST UNITY  

Rhythm is the drum beat of design. It’s deliberate. It’s the thing that takes your eye around the room. Rhythm is an essential principle of design. It adds movement and energy to a space.

There are several types of rhythm: repetition, radiation, contrast, and gradation.

We’ll quickly address each…

Repetition – using a color, shape, texture, pattern around the room to add consistency and harmony. Seen over and over again. One color repeated in pillows on the couch and chairs. Picture frames lined up on a wall. Vertical grooves in wall paneling. The figures in Dior’s Paris window… marching on in perfect unison.

Radiation – elements arranged around a central point. Tables around a chair. A spiral staircase. The face of a clock. A flower. All have a center holding steady.

Contrast – black and white. Light and dark. Opposites attract. Dynamic. Energetic. Black and white checkerboard. Deep brown floors with white walls. Red cushion on a white sofa. Nothing subtle here.

Gradation – uniform variation. Ombre. Curved lines. Low to high. Gradual change to provoke movement.

Rhythm adds a visual journey to a room. It’s the steady beat ensuring the pieces in a space work together to create a sense of flow and movement.

Rhythm can be achieved through color, pattern, texture, scale, or line. It can bold or subtle. It’s not always obvious, but totally necessary.

Try finding your room’s rhythm. Let me know what you see.