The Concept Of Positive And Negative Spaces In Interior Design

When talking about positive and negative spaces it is important to first understand the term "space" in itself. In interior design any volume which is being contained within masonry walls and are habitable is normally termed as space.

The volume that gets enclosed in an architectural structure is just a tiny fraction of the vast amount of "universal space". By universal space I mean the cosmos or the gigantic vastness in which our planet and all other planets, starts etc.. survive.

The volume, which gets contained in a building, varies according to the use of the building. A cinema theatre and a bedroom will surely have different purposes and hence volume. Volume gets defined by three factors, length, breadth and height of the habitable room.

But irrespective of the volume both types of buildings mentioned above have "spaces" enclosed within. Lets consider the bedroom for the sake of this article.

A typical bedroom will have certain architectural elements attached to it at the time of construction of the building and certain "imposed" later for the sake of proper function. Also it is important to note that no one builds bedrooms in isolation. A bedroom is always a part of the entire home plan.

The architectural elements already present in a bedroom would be attached toilet and its entrance door, attached terrace or backyard entry, attached study room. All these spaces have work like supplementary role in a bedroom. Now the "imposed" elements are the furniture in the room, other accessories that will occupy the space in a bedroom.

A typical bedroom will have a double bed, wardrobe, dressing table, side tables, study table, book shelf etc.. All these are necessary to use the room in a comfortable way. When these furniture are arranged in a room what remains is termed as the "circulation space". Now most people think that the volume of the furniture and the remaining empty space must have a balance
between them. Because it is not the occupied volume, but the empty volume, that decides the comfort levels inside a room.

If you visit a store room on the basement of a house which is normally used to dump useless things, you will notice that the empty space remained is very less and hence the comfort levels there, are poor. So in interior design the "empty space" is equally important. Now here comes the concept of positive and negative spaces. Normally a negative space is considered a space which can not be used for a specific human activity.

But this is not true. As said above the over all comfort levels in a room is determined by both the occupied as well as non-occupied spaces. So any smallest piece of floor area that is not being occupied is going to contribute to the comfort levels.

That's why the terminology of being positive and negative as far as usability is considered becomes a personal matter. What you think as a useless and non functional space can become a good place for your kid and his friends when they play hide and seek. It's just the viewpoint to look at thing that matters.

Also a little creativity can alter a non-functional space into a functional one. But remember what I said earlier, in interior design empty space matters. It is not just beautiful furniture, costly paints/wallpapers/paintings that are going to decorate your rooms. Finally it boils down to only one thing, YOU and
YOUR mental as well as physical health in that space.

I hope this article was helpful to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Interior Decorating" article category.

People interested in the above article "The Concept Of Positive And Negative Spaces In Interior Design" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

Halloween Decoration – How to Decorate your House Using Plush Animals

Do you ever wish you could make your Halloween decorations more distinctive? If so, you should take some direction from my nephew, who recently completely wowed us all with his creativity. Read the article for the entire story and some great tips on how to decorate your house for Halloween.

Wall Switch Covers - Small Item Large Impact

If there is one thing that every home needs, it is switch plate covers. They are very essential home accessories and their function cannot be ignored. The covers are placed over the switch’s circuitry to protect the user from possible electric shocks. They are positioned in optimum places around the house’s walls usually at arms length from the door or the end of the hallway. They can add a whimsical feel to the room or an antiqued sophisticated look to complete the ambience of the room.

Wall Planters and Trellises - Greenery for Your Walls

For many homeowners, their first thoughts of wall decor is to purchase pictures and paintings to fill the empty spaces. Wall decor does not have to be limited to these items. There are a variety of home decor accessories that can liven up a room and can also bring the garden motif into your home. Wall planters and trellises can offer a more unique feature and look than your standard framed print.

Wall Murals - A Wall in Every Room

Wall murals add extra dimension to any room. With an unlimited variety of subjects to choose from, including any picture of your own choosing, you now have the capability of transforming any room into any place or art form imaginable. If you let your creative imagination run wild, you will be able to add a magical atmosphere to any room of your home.

From Traditional To Polynesian, Bamboo Shades Vary

As bamboo shades increase in popularity, there are many, even hundreds of new bamboo patterns that are becoming available. A good number of these patterns are unique in looks but when translated into a bamboo shade, they also give a one-of-a-kind style and a technical effect that needs to be taken into consideration. Physical appearance, lighting, and increased privacy are all effects of using these. All of these are just as important as how they look.

Benefits of Decorating With Large Tapestries

Many homeowners looking to decorate their walls have been neglecting tapestries. Most just look at paintings, photographs, and other artifacts. That is a shame because tapestries are one of the most unique and elegant wall decoration items that one can possibly find.

Collecting Medieval Shields For Your Wall Decor

If you stay in a huge house, you may wish to consider adding some decorative items to your wall. After all, long stretches bare walls may make your home look boring. When you think of wall decorations, the most obvious items that come to mind are paintings and photo frames. To add a fresh touch to your interior decoration, you may wish to consider adding medieval shields to your walls.