The Importance of Line!

Last month I talked about understanding the basics behind color theory to help you with your fresh 2015 spring palette. This month, I’m going to talk about another important element of design that is equally if not more important; line. We use line in every type of design out there – industrial, graphic, interior, furniture, etc. You may have a feature in your home that you just love or can’t get to look right and don’t understand why…the reason behind this love or hate relationship probably has to do with the use of line. There are a huge variety of line types, but the three that we focus on in interior design are literal, implied and psychic.

Literal lines are the most familiar since they take two points and connect them to make shapes such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal, zigzag or curved. How does this play into decorating your space? Vertical lines lift the eye and mind upwards, so you can use them to make a room or object seem taller; this makes them great for small areas like a foyer. The vertical line can evoke feelings of strength and security. Beware of over usage as this type can make one feel confined and overwhelmed.

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Horizontal lines can visually expand a space, making an area seem longer or wider. It’s why we love them in interiors but not so much in fashion. Similar to vertical lines, they can evoke feelings as well. In their case, they can make a space seem tranquil and stable, unless overused and in that case a lack of interest or boredom can be felt. For instance, if you painting an already long wall with horizontal stripes, the space would seem lack luster. This is a scenario where you would want to balance out the already long space with vertical stripes to add some height.

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Diagonal lines suggest movement and action and therefore tend to capture our attention the longest; because of this, do not use diagonal lines in a space that you want to relax! Imagine trying to fall asleep in a room that is constantly stimulating your eyes. Zigzag lines derived from diagonal ones and are great for accents – you’ve seen them become popular over the last year with patterns such as chevron and herringbone.

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Lastly in the literal line category, we have curved lines. Curved lines are organic and therefore give off a softness and provide relief and balance. They can be elegant, natural and if placed in a series can even suggest movement. Over usage of curved lines can result in a very feminine feel, whereas the overuse of straight lines can give off a very masculine feel. Try to use both for a balanced feel and to create a gender neutral space.

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Next up is the implied line. An implied line is created by positioning a series of points so your eye automatically connects them. Think of a dotted or dashed line; the points suggest a general direction, even though they are not connected. In interior design, we use implied lines when hanging picture arrangements. We also use it when deciding on heights for objects. For example, bedside table lamps can be placed to either continue the line of our headboard or to draw our eye higher or lower than the headboard but at the same height as each other. This creates an implied line. When we have layers of stacked shelving with a decorative object such as mirror above it, we have created an implied line that suggest an upward or vertical movement. This is why if you are using objects as a series of points and just one is misplaced, it can make the entire vignette seem off.

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Lastly we have the psychic line, which is not so much a line that is seen but is felt. It is a mental connection that exists between two elements. The best way to describe this type of line is in a photograph, if the main character in the photo is looking downwards and to the side, you will also look downwards and to the side. Or if a figure is pointing in a direction, you’re almost guaranteed to look in that same direction. This type of line is probably the most powerful and is the least in your face.

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Line and color are just getting you started when it comes to the basic elements and principles of design. Understanding them will help you get on your way to making great design decisions!