Embracing Harmony and Unity: Understanding the Gestalt Theory of Design

Colour and mood boards are a great way to to see if your interior finish selections work together in a harmonious way.

In the vast world of design, many principles guide interior designers in creating visually pleasing and impactful spaces. One such principle that has stood the test of time is the Gestalt Theory of Design. This theory emphasizes the concept of perceiving elements as a whole, rather than isolated parts. For interior designers, understanding how people perceive spaces and arranging furniture or decor elements accordingly can create a balanced and inviting atmosphere for our clients. Let's delve into the core principles of the Gestalt Theory and how they shape the world of design.

Similarity

Elements with similar attributes, such as shape or color, are perceived as being related. Therefore, interior finishes such as wall colours or tile textures and patterns with ubiquitous elements are often curated together to create harmony and balance.

Closure

Our minds tend to fill in missing information to complete shapes or patterns, which is why it is always important to consider positive and negative space when designing interior spaces.

Continuity

We prefer smooth and continuous lines or patterns over abrupt changes as they allow the eye to travel freely across a viewing plane or interior space.

Proximity

Elements that are close together are perceived as belonging to the same group, such as interior furniture or accessory groupings.

Figure-Ground

We perceive objects as distinct and with certain depths such as foreground, midground, and background. Our eyes’ distinction of foreground and background allows feature pieces to stand out and shine.

The Gestalt Theory of Design offers a profound understanding of how our minds interpret visual information. As designers, we often use these principles to organize and arrange elements in a way that facilitates clear communication and enhances the overall visual experience for the user. By applying the principles of similarity, proximity, closure, continuity, and figure-ground, we can elevate our design work and connect more deeply with our audience.