The Principles of Good Interior Design

UNITY - Unity refers to the designer's concept and the honesty and thoughtfulness that is brought to achieve the concept. Through repetition and similarity, a single motivating idea emerges. When you design a home, make every effort to have the objects and colors relate to each other in some way. Use repetition of color, pattern, line and shape to establish unity. But use creative thinking to avoid being stuck in the theme. Too much unity becomes monotonous.

VARIETY - Vary your colors, shapes, patterns and themes within the rooms, but don't sacrifice unity to do it. The right combination of variety and unity will bring harmony to each room and ultimately to the home.

EMPHASIS - Give the appropriate amount of emphasis to each part of the room. Draw attention to the most important parts and less attention to the rest. Create centers of interest, or focal points, set against less important backgrounds. The final look you want to achieve will hinge on how well you downplay the least important parts.