r hy t h m

in interior design

rhythm
Is an attribute of any object that is marked by a systematic recurrence of elements having recognizable relationships between them.

v i s u a l r hy t h m
Visual Rhythm is created when colors, lines or forms are used in a consistent pattern. Visual rhythm makes the eye move much like rhythm in music makes our bodies want to move.

Rhythm can be achieved in two ways:

repetition contrast

repetition Rhythm is created by the repetition of a pattern, a color, or an object.

contrast Rhythm is created by placing opposing objects, colors, or

textures next to each other.

Eg: black against white ,dark

against light ,soft against hard

t y p e s o f r hy t h m
Repetition of dimensions size The units can vary shape Repetition of shapes

Repetition of differences

k i n d s o f r hy t h m
Defined and closed Repetition of size or shape

Indefined and open

Changing the size or shape at the end

R hy t h m o f l i n e s

Variation of linear length or curvature

R hy t h m o f l i n e s i n m o t i o n

Change the radius of the curvature

R hy t h m o f ex te r i o r s p a c e s

Changing heights widths and setbacks

R hy t h m o f i nte r i o r s p a c e s

Variety of effects Sense of motion or direction

r hy t h m i n i nte r i o r d e s i g n
In interior design, rhythm is all about visual pattern repetition. Rhythm is defined as continuity, recurrence or organized movement. Repetition, progression, transition and contrast will impart a sense of movement to the space, leading the eye from one design element to another.

Repetition is the use of the same element more than once throughout a space. This

can be achieved by repetition of a pattern,

color, texture, line, or any other element, or even more than one element.

Repetition of elements

Repetition of colours

Repetition of lines

Repetition of materials

Repetition of pattern

Repetition of texture

Gradation Completed by increasing or decreasing one or more qualities. It suggests an onward motion by successive changes toward a goal

Tr a n s i t i o n

Leads the eye in a gentle, continuous, uninterrupted visual flow from one area to
another or object to another. Curved lines are sign of transition.

Radiation All parts of a composition are balanced and repeated around a center. On a smaller scale, radiation can be seen in furniture forms in a circular grouping.

Opposition The direct placement of forms or colors to create an abrupt change.

Alternation is the sequence of two or more components by which the eye can follow a rhythmic pattern.

Progression is seen in shapes progressing from large to small, short to tall, etc. A collection of different-size boxes or glass bottles are accessory items that can create rhythm by progression.

Contrast It is an abrupt change that forms interesting, repetitive rhythm. Contrast can be seen in patterns - open/closed, busy/plain, light/dark combinations.

r hy t h m i n i nte r i o r s p at i a l p ro g re s s i o n
In architecture, rhythm can be seen not only in the surface patterns and decoration, but in the pace of interior spatial progressions.

The following floor plan illustrates rhythmic interaction in the public spaces of a residence.

Starting at the foyer, moving up the curved stairs to a hall, then into the great room, the vertical axis demonstrates an ABA rhythm. It is important to understand that this a spatial rhythm. The

two A spaces are large, with higher ceilings and a change in floor levels; the B space is
relatively narrow, compressed with a lower ceiling. One could extend this idea of rhythm to the exterior spaces as well. At the covered patio in the rear and to the covered entry outside the foyer. Since these are both relatively expansive spaces the rhythm could be described as AABAA.

A minor rhythm, DCBCD runs perpendicular to the main rhythm. The two rhythms cross at B.

The second rhythmic sequence is counterpoint borrowing another musical concept. The D
spaces are minor vestibules to the childrens bedrooms on the left and the master suite on the right. Though rhythm is repetitive, it is not necessarily about symmetry. The two As are not identical; theyre simply similar in quality. The same with the two D spaces.