Radial Balance (Principles of Design)

As we have mentioned in our previous entries talking about the principles of design, balance is an aspect of interior architecture that is always incredibly fun to play with. I see it as our chance, as interior designers, to actually take advantage of our resources and knowledge to create a space that connects to every element and principle incorporated into it. That is why radial balance is constantly there to challenge ourselves and to make us truly think of how our interior space would work around us.

The first requisite in order to achieve radial balance is to focus all of our ideas for the interior on a central point. Once we figure this last one out, it is time to radiate these ideas out from such center, preferably in a circular fashion. The way I see it is that every object around the room needs to interrelate with the main central dimension, utilizing basic geometry and scales. For example, if our main center is a coffee table, and we have decided to locate a living room chair two feet away from this table, then the other chairs around it should also be two feet away from this last piece of furniture.

With that said, although radial balance is not as common as symmetrical and asymmetrical balance for interiors, an entire room can also provide us with this concept without the need of having the four typical walls. Our entire habitat could incorporate radial balance, which is also a fantastic way of taking advantage of our space and square footage—although more challenging—. Since the beginning of times in residential spaces presented through yurts and igloos, we have known that round areas aid us to save space in various ways. However, just like floors are flat to facilitate the accommodation of furniture and other decorative objects, we tend to maintain that verticality in our walls for the sake of general stability and progress, since it would be way more difficult for heavier and more resistant materials to be roundly built around flat land. That is why radial balance needs to be commonly achieved around our given number of walls.

Finally, now we have several different options while talking about balance in interior design. Symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial…Our possibilities are rapidly increasing! It’s just a matter of dreaming, imagining, and making it possible. (And, of course, professionals are always there to help).

Good luck!