Positive and Negative Space (Elements of Design)

Just like open and closed space, positive and negative interiors can be achieved by the arrangement of furniture in a way that either takes full advantage of every particle in a room, or simply creates emphasis by leaving this last one with empty spots that seem excluded from the design as a whole. Although there is no right or wrong answer when talking about positive and negative space, we do have to: a) find the right equilibrium between these two, and b) utilize them both in our favor. The term minimalism can be an extremely powerful tool to follow when achieving clean and relaxing environments, usually directed towards a more modern feel. Nevertheless, the minimalist style does have its own guidelines and concepts that must be pursued for it to be successful at displaying our design ideas.

When understanding the differences between positive and negative space, I personally enjoy seeing these as two possible questions (or rooms). For this first one, the room would be an incomplete sentence, and the positive space as filling in the blanks for said room. The best part of this last element of design is that it is often unnecessary to modify an interior dramatically in order to eliminate its negative space. For example, if there is an empty view from your kitchen provoked by colossal glass windows and a diagonal transition for the stairs right in front of them, we could identify the negative space we would like to dissolve by placing artwork, plants or any other decorative item of our choice over the nearest countertop on the way of this negative panorama. By doing so, we are not only creating positive space in our home, but we're also adding the final touches that our interior needs according to the principles and elements of design.

On the other hand, we could see negative space as the second question (or second room) for understanding this element of design. This can be an open response answer, allowing you to leave or include as many items in an interior while placing them within your best judgement and accordingly to the principles and elements of design. As designers, we must understand when enough is truly enough, and that there are occasions when a white, empty wall creates a superior focal point than any other highly elaborate piece of artwork could. An important aspect to consider when creating negative space in your home is to make it obvious, and, more importantly, genuinely achieve it with intention and not by accident. Negative space is one of those elements in an interior that should be easily identified, understood and loved for it to be a successful part of the design concept. A recommendation in this section would be to attempt to arrange it in a way that it is easily filled, in case the negativity in the space does not fully satisfy you at its conclusion. Start by arranging furniture differently, adding and/or removing decorations, etc.

Remember that the main objective in the amount of positive and negative space found in our interiors is not to choose one over the other, but to learn how to work with both in order to achieve the right balance between them. Although extremities are always fun to play with, we need to be careful at defining our space through a theme, and not through a single element of design. After all, there is no better way to familiarize ourselves with these other than first-hand experience, and constant change is just part of the process.