Patterns

We’ve talked about the implications of seeing particular surface patterns, in upholstery, wallpapers, etc., in this article.

Some of the highlights of the linked to article include:

• Curving lines are relaxing to view while straight ones bring thoughts of efficiency and action to mind. So, upholstery, etc., where curving lines predominate is great for a bedroom and a carpet with lots of straight lines forming squares, rectangles, triangles, hexagons, etc., is great for a long hallway that you want people to move along briskly.

• Humans prefer to see all sorts of symmetry to asymmetry, doing so is more comfortable and not-stressful for us (we think symmetrical things are more attractive than asymmetrical ones although asymmetry injects excitement, energy into what’s viewed), and the same goes for visually balanced design (one portion does not seem heavier than the other, the heavier seeming item is closer to the fulcrum or “pivot point.)

• Moderate visual complexity is preferred in patterns, for more information on visual complexity, read this article. Highly complex patterns lead us to feel more excited. Things seen in front of more complex backdrops seem smaller than when in front of simpler ones, so cover the surface you’ll see behind you as you stand in front of your full-length mirror accordingly.

• Smaller scale patterns on walls make an area seem larger than it does when larger patterns on wallpapers, etc., are in place.

• Horizontal stripes on walls can be uncomfortable to look at, especially evenly spaced ones, and it’s probably best to avoid them.