In design, scale is usually used to describe the size of an object or space in relation to the human body. For example, the standard countertop heights and chair widths are scaled to suit the average person. The idea of scale and proportion is about how the objects in your room fit together. Proportions refer to how well these pieces fit together.

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scale shows how well your pieces fit into your space. At the top, the color scheme complements each other to create a traditional flair. Below, the color scheme is rather unexpected, although the simplicity of the wallpaper design makes it possible to use bolder patterns and colors as relief. Previously editor-in-chief of Ideal Home, she has specialized in interior design, real estate and gardens for over 20 years, covering interior design, house design, gardens, as well as cleaning and organizing a house for H%26G. Either way, it’ll help your plan reach a whole new level — and it’s a technique that the world’s leading interior designers use to fabulous effect.

Interior designer and hotelier Kit Kemp (opens in new tab) is known for the way she uses art in her maximalist plans. This eye-catcher can then be combined with medium-sized or small designs to create complementary patterns all around. It began by showing some of the mistakes I’ve made in my own home while helping others learn the ins and outs when it comes to home design. While the scale is more absolute, the proportion is really relative and requires the interior designer to understand the interactions between objects in a three-dimensional space.

Playing with size in interior design is a trick that interior designers and stylists use to create an effective space. While this is the most mathematical principle of interior design, your eye can easily tell when something looks out of place. I actually have an entire post of design mistakes dedicated to my rules for lighting, but I haven’t touched the scale and that’s an important part of the process. London-based interior designer Beata Heuman (opens in new tab) uses upscale, curvaceous shapes and cool, calm colors that stand up against the intricate patterns to create drama, just like in this room from Rapture %26 Wright (opens in new tab).

We’ve talked extensively about the carpet that is too small in this post on design mistakes and in other posts here on the blog. Note the simplicity of the design of both the lamp and the table — both are in stark contrast to the clashing of the patterns of the textiles.

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