Elements of Design: Line

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This week in Interior Design we learned about the elements of design. The first element we are talking about is line. There are a four different types of lines and each one can affect the mood of the room. There are horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and curved. Here are some examples of each along with the mood they give the room.

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~Horizontal~

Horizontal lines draw your eye from side to side. It lengthens the room or space and make it look wider than it really is. Horizontal lines are referred to as informal and it gives the space a very calm and relaxed feel. Both of these pictures embrace and showcase the relaxed and laid back atmosphere.

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~Vertical~

In comparison to horizontal lines, vertical lines give the space a formal feel. It draws your eye upward. You can see this in the first picture where the tree and the sliding glass door draw your eye up toward the vertical siding on the building. Vertical lines make the space seem taller than it really is and stretches everything up.

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~Diagonal~

Diagonal lines bring attention and interest to a space. It breaks up from the expected vertical and horizontal lines and leads the eye across the diagonal. In the image of the staircase, your eye immediately goes across the image and follows the green railing upward. Or in the outdoor space, you don't first look in the very center at the back room, you look up at the peek of the diagonal lines because they draw your attention and create interest.

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~Curved~

The images I chose to represent curved lines are very similar. They are both calm and gentle curves in an outdoor space that brings your eye and attention all around the picture to appreciate all the details. There are curved lines all around in the pool, hot tub, staircases, windows and doors, and the architecture in general. Curved lines prevent the room from becoming to stiff and add a feminine touch. Both of these images are very soft to me and are a great example of curved lines.

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As you can see, lines can affect the mood and feel of a room. Each of the four types bring a different style and they all draw the attention of your eye in a unique way. Lines stand out more when the room is simpler and less cluttered. The more the room has in it, the harder it is to detect a specific line style and your eye doesn't know what to look at first.

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