6 Interesting Ways to Play with New Shapes in Your Home Décor

Like colours, shapes are an integral part of home décor. An otherwise blank wall can easily be turned into a much more interesting and visually appealing space if you use the right shapes and figures. But as you might find after some experimentation, not just any shape will do. To achieve the aesthetic you’re going for, you’ll want to understand how certain shapes complement or contrast against each other and work together to bring out a particular theme or motif.

 

Here are some interesting ways you can play with shapes and use them to unlock your preferred vibe in your home’s interior design:

 

1) Tap into the Psychology of Shapes

 

Shapes can mean different things and evoke different moods. Knowing that, perhaps you’ll want to tap into the psychological effect of shapes to create a certain atmosphere for a particular room or living space. 

 

For example, circles and rounded shapes in general give off a sense of softness, while squares and rectangles evoke a sense of strength and structure. Meanwhile, triangles and less common polygons such as hexagons add a touch of playfulness to the room on top of creating a sense of motion.

 

You can then use these shapes to set the tone for your space. A gallery wall with rectangular pieces, as well as uniquely shaped pieces like skateboard wall art, will be great at reflecting structure, order, and integrity of form in your home office—a place where you’d want to practise both your creativity and your sense of personal discipline. Conversely, triangles with vibrant colours would look charming and fun in the kids’ room, where you’d expect them to play.

 

2) Play Around with Size and Colour

Try to play around with size and colours as well. If you’re aiming for an elegant and subtle look to a room, you’d want to pair circular or symmetrical decorations with neutral colours and the occasional bold colour as an accent. You’ll be able to unlock a laid-back and relaxed vibe if you utilise the same shapes with cooler hues, like powder blue or sage. Your knowledge of the psychology that drives both shape and colour will make you better at crafting the mood for particular rooms.

 

As for size, you don’t have to make everything look uniform. In fact, different scales of the same shape will make for more interesting visuals. For instance, rather than lining up square framed photos or framed art prints with the same sizes on your living room wall, arrange them instead to include a large centrepiece with smaller frames surrounding it.

 

3) Draw In the Viewer’s Eye with a Focal Point

 

Just throwing in various décor shapes in a room can make it look cluttered and disorganised. To appear more intentional, you can choose one shape to serve as a main focal point for the overall arrangement and design around it. A star-shaped pendant light, a geometric rug, or a large oval mirror with intricate framing will all make for a stunning focal point for your room. All you need to do after is to choose décor that will match or uplift that centrepiece.

 

Choosing one main piece of interestingly shaped décor can also help you simplify the decorating process overall. Instead of being overwhelmed with a multitude of choices, you’ll only need to choose ones that complement the centrepiece. If you intend for the star of the living room to be an elegant-looking globe chandelier, seek out similar elements to it, such as round glass fixtures or vintage typography posters with round characters to match its style.

 

4) Mix Curves and Lines

 

Consider curves and lines as well when you choose shapes to work with. Sharp corners and lines on furniture make for a more dramatic presence, while curves and rounded corners are better at creating a calmer and more soothing atmosphere. 

 

Be sure to strike a balance between the two. Too many straight lines may make the space look too stiff, while too many curves may come off as lacking structure.

 

5) Contrast Shapes with Patterns

When incorporating new shapes into your décor, try to complement them with accompanying patterns. A piece of art that features a vibrant marbled pattern, for instance, can be placed in a rectangle frame with a solid dark colour. This makes good use of the strong qualities of sharp-cornered shapes like rectangles, as the abstract design will be able to stand out. 

 

Similarly, you can just opt to use shapes to create the pattern itself. Interlocking shapes for your wallpaper or tiling can achieve a more interesting effect than just plain solid colours. You can also learn how to put together mosaics or create a stained-glass effect to turn shapes into patterns. Just be careful about overdoing it so that the end result doesn’t look too busy.

 

6) Choose Furniture and Decorations with Unorthodox Shapes

 

Oddly shaped items—like a bookshelf with uneven shelving space, a puddle-shaped coffee table, and a geometric lamp, to name a few examples—can liven up a room and challenge you to exercise more creativity when decorating your interiors. Leave your comfort zone of symmetrical and harmonious shapes, and experiment with shapes you don’t typically find elsewhere. 

 

Just keep in mind that despite its unorthodox shape, the item should still be functional. After all, you’d want it to serve its purpose and not waste space in your home. 

 

When it comes to interior design, even the seemingly small elements can be important in directing the overall look. Shapes are no exception, so be sure to take them into account as you plan your home décor. Let these tips from DROOL Art, the place to go for beautiful and high-quality prints from up-and-coming artists, guide you in incorporating shapes in more interesting ways the next time you’re due for a home makeover.