22 Contrast

The placement of two or more different design elements side by side to create an interesting effect.

Helpful Advice

Contrast is most effective when applied strongly, when it draws the eye to a focal point in the design; ineffective use of contrast may cause confusion.

Contrast is a foundational and fundamental design principle. Also referred to as juxtaposition, contrast ensures that the elements of a room draw the eye while still maintaining a cohesive vision. It is important to know where and how to use contrast in an interior project. Contrast can make a room memorable or more impactful, add visual interest, and simultaneously pull together parts of a space. Contrasting elements ...

Get Universal Principles of Interior Design now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.