If you love nothing more than a lazy Sunday lying on a lounger in your garden and reading up on the latest home design trends, then you may have noticed that contrast is more influential than ever in interior design.
Monochrome looks in neutral colours like coffee and cream can lend spaces a pleasant sense of calm, but they can also lack the eye-catching differences in colours, textures, and brightness that contrasting interiors can provide. Have you ever stepped into a Scandinavian-designed home with a vividly hued artwork, or a minimalist house with a stunning Chesterfield sofa in its living room? Contrast allows homeowners to express their personality, choose signature pieces, and create focal points that add artistic flair to any living space, from living rooms to bathrooms.
Why Contrast Captures Our Attention
Contrast is one of the most fundamental pieces of information transmitted by the eye to the brain. Our ability to process and respond to differences in characteristics such as light or texture is deeply rooted in our brain’s architecture. For instance, human beings experience a fascinating phenomenon in the retina called ‘lateral inhibition’, in which the same neurons that detect light suppress signals from neurons that detect less or no light, thereby making contrasts, edges, and boundaries more visible. Contrast is more important to our visual system than the brightness of individual design features. We appreciate decorative structures and pieces better when they stand out against their backgrounds.
Playing With Luminance
If you wish to create contrast in your home without using contrasting colours, one way is through differences in luminance or brightness. Dark features against light ones create clarity, which is one reason why interiors that blend deeper and lighter tones feel more visually balanced than those that are excessively monochromatic. For instance, a pale wall with darker picture frames or artwork featuring primary colours is more eye-catching than one whose decorative elements are equally luminescent. A light wall with black-and-white photography sets off the beauty of imagery far more than a colourful wall with bold imagery in similar colours. The brightness of surfaces also affects perceived weight in design. Lighter colours tend to feel airy and fragile, while darker hues feel more substantial.
Choosing Between Larger And More Intimate Spaces
Contrast can make a room seem either cosier or more spacious. Interior designers wishing to make a room feel more expansive often opt for light-to-dark contrast, such as light walls paired with darker furniture or accents. The darker elements of this design scheme create depth because the human eye reads dark forms as receding planes. In contrast, those wishing to make a large room feel cosier use contrast up close, gracing the room with dark paint or wallpaper, rich wood furniture, and plush textiles. Imagine a bedroom painted in navy blue or dark green, with the only contrast being a beautiful four-poster bed with crisp white linen. In this case, the contrast doesn’t make the room seem larger. Instead, it pulls one’s visual field inward and creates a sense of being embraced by the warm colours.
Imitating Contrasting Textures, Shapes, And Patterns In Nature
If you’re into the biophilic design movement, you know that one of its central tenets is bringing the textures, shapes, and patterns of nature into interiors to boost mental health and well-being. If you are having difficulty deciding on which elements of contrast to include in your home, take your cue from nature. Head to a forest or natural area and take in all the contrasts you notice, applying those that appeal to your sense of sight and touch. For instance, you may decide to choose contrasting elements such as reclaimed wood, soft chenille furnishings, and bouclé for your living room or bedroom.
Adapting Contrasting Features To Your Design Style
Contrast works in practically any design style you could think of. For instance, if you’re into the warm wood and pure whites of Scandinavian design, you can provide contrast through pops of colour. Think a vermilion lampshade, vividly brocaded sofa cushions, or a simple throw in a primary shade. For an industrially-inspired home, meanwhile, soften bright metals with warm lighting and plush fabrics. For contemporary designs, use a blend of matte and high-gloss decorative features, or pair minimal colour with bold accent pieces.
The human brain is hardwired to appreciate contrast, which is why including contrasting elements in your design scheme can help boost its appeal. Introduce contrast into your interiors through features such as lighting, colour, and texture. If you’re stuck for inspiration, head to the great outdoors and note all the contrasting elements you see.