GUIDE: Balance and harmony in interior design

1. The magic of the color palette

A well-thought-out color palette: When working with a limited color palette, you achieve visual calm and coherence in the interior design. A consistent palette makes it easier to combine furniture and style different objects. The colors can be varied in nuances and intensity – but should be kept within an overall framework

Create depth with tone-on-tone: Use the same color in different shades to add life and variety without disrupting the overall impression.

Repeat colors in multiple elements: Let the colors recur in textiles, art, pillows and small details to create a clear common thread.

2. Furnishing with flow

Divide the room into functional zones: By dividing a room into zones – for example, for relaxation, eating and practice – structure and clarity are created. This makes the room more usable and supports everyday needs. You can create zones through the use of rugs, furniture or lighting. Rugs anchor zones visually and allow you to create a room within a room.

Balance large and small furniture: A coordinated combination of large and small furniture creates visual balance. If you choose furniture with too much volume in small rooms, it can seem dominant, while too small furniture in large rooms can seem random and incomplete. Therefore, make sure to create a good balance between the furniture.

Create natural flow: The interior design should not block movement or natural light. If the furniture is placed so that you have to sneak around it, it will seem unnatural in the interior design - and it will become a daily irritation. Many people tend to place all the furniture up against the walls, but freestanding furniture creates dynamics and a good flow. If your home has the space, feel free to leave the sofa and armchair freestanding in the room - it creates air and balance.

3. Styling with layers

Use textiles with different textures: Combining materials like cotton, linen, wool and velvet creates contrasts and visual interest. It creates depth and makes the room feel sensual and alive – especially in neutral tones.

Decorate in groups of three and varying heights: Small groups of three elements create balance and harmony. Vary heights, shapes and materials – for example, a low bowl, a medium-sized candlestick and a tall vase. This catches the eye and creates rhythm. TIP: Books can be used in the interior design to your advantage. Use them to decorate or place them in groups of 2 or 3 on a shelf.

Personal details – but structured: Personal items such as photos, heirlooms or art should be displayed thoughtfully. If distributed in too many places in the home, it can seem messy and disjointed - but if they are gathered in small groups, they appear as a conscious choice. This creates calm and depth in the interior.

Small styling zones create unity and calm: When you gather your things in small groups, the space becomes calmer and clearer. It gives a sense of coherence and allows each area to tell its own little story.

4. The role of nature

Use nature to create warmth and life: Nature has the ability to bring calm and make things more inviting. When we invite the elements of nature inside, a calm and vibrant atmosphere is created. It provides balance in a space where the eye can rest, and the atmosphere feels more present and harmonious.

Nature can be brought into the home in the form of material choices, such as travertine, textiles and wood. In addition, it is very beneficial to move out into nature and be inspired by the seasons, which all offer beautiful nature. If it is spring and summer, it is incredibly wonderful to bring green branches from nature. If it is autumn and winter, you can usefully collect chestnuts or pine cones and put them in a large dish.

Good ingredients create more than just meals – they create atmosphere.: A plate of ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs in pots or a basket of lemons on the kitchen table add color, life and fragrance to the room. They remind us of the changing seasons and invite us to be present – ​​whether you love to cook or just enjoy the visuals. The ingredients become a natural part of the interior and bring an immediate warmth and authenticity to the home.

Plants add life, color, and coherence: Green plants don’t just improve air quality—they bring life and movement into your interior design. They create natural transition points between zones and add color to a neutral space.

TIP: Choose plants carefully, and place a few larger plants that create volume rather than overcrowding the room with small plants.

5. Create unity throughout the home

Repeat shapes, colors and materials: When materials and colors are deliberately repeated, visual coherence is created. For example, brass can appear in lamps, furniture legs and frames. This creates rhythm and a sense of wholeness. It can also be the same choice of cabinet fronts in the kitchen and bathroom. Notice where the common thread makes sense to you.

TIP: With a few resources, you can create coherence in different rooms. For example, you can simply change the handles on the doors in the kitchen and bathroom. This will already create a connection between the rooms.

Choose one overall style or mood: Define a basic mood that you can work from – for example minimalist, Nordic calm or bohemian. Having a clear mood makes it easier to make choices during the interior design. It becomes easier to sort out and choose because you have a direction to stick to. A consistent mood also creates a visual connection, so that the rooms are experienced as a whole – even if they have different functions or styles. It provides calm, balance and a feeling that the home is connected across rooms and details.

Use mood boards: If you like to have a visual tool, a mood board with colors, materials and inspiration can ensure that the common thread is maintained. You can have a physical board, but it is also enough to have a folder on your phone or on Pinterest, where you are inspired and where you update with ideas.

Now it's your turn to create change.

Now that you have concrete tools and insights to create balance, harmony and a common thread in your interior design, it's time to put it into practice in your own home.