5 Ways to Achieve Balance in Your Home

I’ve told you about the Five Principles of Design and how to use them in your design. Now let’s dig a little deeper into each principle and see how you can achieve it in your home!

The easiest way to understand balance is to picture a scale with equal weights on either side. But that doesn’t mean that each side has to be exactly the same. A pound of feathers will balance with a pound of lead, but they’re definitely going to look a little different! Design elements don’t have to be identical to “weigh” the same and when the details are in balance, they create a sense of calm even if they seem chaotic on their own. Here are five ways you can use this design principle to make your home feel calmer:

1. Make it useful

You probably have to keep some things out on your counter. Whether they’re appliances, spice racks, or fruit bowls, arrange them so they balance the space and your counters won’t feel cluttered.

Photo Source: Ashton Woods

2. Use contrasting or different materials

In this example, the kitchen cabinets are not symmetrical but the addition of the pantry door near the cabinets, creates visual balance.

Photo Source: Ashton Woods

3. Add a center focal point and align different elements with it

A fireplace can be an easy focal point (bonus points if it’s painted a bold color). From that focal point, align things like a statement chandelier or even the kitchen faucet for open plans with the center point. Even large open spaces will feel well balanced.

Photo Source: Ashton Woods

4. Create Functional Balance

Balance can mean duplicating or mirroring a functional space. No one wants to fight over a sink.

Photo Source: Ashton Woods

5. Place furniture appropriately

Simply placing your larger pieces of furniture in between windows or centered on a wall are easy ways to achieve balance.

Photo Source: Ashton Woods