This episode discusses the terms “proportion” and “scale” and how they will be used in this series.
Scale and proportion are often confused in the interior design world. On Roominess, we’ll talk of things being “out of scale” if ALL of the dimensions of a piece (say a couch) are too small or too large for the space.
We’ll talk of things being “out of proportion” if just ONE or TWO of the relative dimensions are too large or too small.
If you run into a scale or proportion issue in your house, try these tips:
1. Add emphasis to the end wall of a narrow space. This will visually balance the space to seem wider and not as long. You can do this with an accent color, art, or a bookshelf.
2. If your art is out of scale (too small) for the wall, group several pieces of art together. The overall grouping will appear to be an appropriate scale for the wall.
3. Art that is out of proportion with a wall (a tall thin piece of art, for instance) can still be used effectively if it is paired with other art that creates a better proportioned grouping.
4. A square or round dining table feels out of proportion in a more oblong dining room. You can (a) put in extra table leaves or (b) create a secondary furniture grouping at one end of the room.
5. If your living room is longer in one direction, align your couch with the short direction of the room if you can.