Decorating
7 Symmetrical Styling Tips to Try at Home
Take inspiration from designers who use mirroring techniques to bestow balance
Symmetrically placed lighting, accessories or furniture – whether perfectly paired or subtly similar – can give a scheme quiet elegance and a sense of calm. These inspiring images should give you a taste of different ways you can do the double in your own home.
…and the twin lamps above the sofa are matched with wall-mounted artworks behind the armchairs. The ideas connect the two areas, resulting in pleasing parity and an intimate conversation space.
Find a local interior designer to help with your project.
Find a local interior designer to help with your project.
Create kitchen cohesion
When planning a new layout, consider the visual impact of cabinets and appliances, as well as the practical implications of daily use.
Floor-to-ceiling cupboards maximise space, but their imposing structure could be overwhelming. By using symmetry, you can maintain a balanced look that feels harmonious and less cluttered.
Here, the designers have broken up a run of tall cupboards with a range cooker, which mirrors the sink area opposite.
Find more ideas for using floor-to-ceiling storage in your kitchen.
When planning a new layout, consider the visual impact of cabinets and appliances, as well as the practical implications of daily use.
Floor-to-ceiling cupboards maximise space, but their imposing structure could be overwhelming. By using symmetry, you can maintain a balanced look that feels harmonious and less cluttered.
Here, the designers have broken up a run of tall cupboards with a range cooker, which mirrors the sink area opposite.
Find more ideas for using floor-to-ceiling storage in your kitchen.
Emphasise alcoves
Fireplace alcoves offer a great opportunity to introduce a little symmetry, so it makes sense to style them similarly. Painting the interiors a dark colour enhances the effect, as do matching wall lights above the fireplace, as here.
Don’t aim to replicate the contents of opposite shelves exactly, though, as this can turn a scheme from compelling to compulsive.
Fireplace alcoves offer a great opportunity to introduce a little symmetry, so it makes sense to style them similarly. Painting the interiors a dark colour enhances the effect, as do matching wall lights above the fireplace, as here.
Don’t aim to replicate the contents of opposite shelves exactly, though, as this can turn a scheme from compelling to compulsive.
Aim for bedroom balance
If your bedroom is set up for two people, it couldn’t be easier to build in layers of symmetry that give the effect of a well-styled space.
Start with bedside tables and lamps, then accessorise with cushions or artwork. The symmetry has been softened nicely in this scheme with complementary but different bedside table arrangements.
If your bedroom is set up for two people, it couldn’t be easier to build in layers of symmetry that give the effect of a well-styled space.
Start with bedside tables and lamps, then accessorise with cushions or artwork. The symmetry has been softened nicely in this scheme with complementary but different bedside table arrangements.
Bookend a daybed
Custom joinery makes an unlikely layout possible in this children’s playroom. Building a daybed beneath the window and enclosing it with bookcases at either end creates a neat nook for quiet reading.
When planning this type of design, be sure to check the window is suitable and safe.
Custom joinery makes an unlikely layout possible in this children’s playroom. Building a daybed beneath the window and enclosing it with bookcases at either end creates a neat nook for quiet reading.
When planning this type of design, be sure to check the window is suitable and safe.
Play the odds
Designers love odd numbers, so you’ll often find items arranged in threes or fives, but you can still employ a little subtle symmetry by pairing your groupings.
Here, a spacious kitchen has been styled with three stools set beneath three pendant lights. The two aren’t perfectly aligned, but instead offset to neatly span the length of the island.
Designers love odd numbers, so you’ll often find items arranged in threes or fives, but you can still employ a little subtle symmetry by pairing your groupings.
Here, a spacious kitchen has been styled with three stools set beneath three pendant lights. The two aren’t perfectly aligned, but instead offset to neatly span the length of the island.
Tailor for two
Bathrooms are one place where you can exaggerate symmetrical styling and it won’t look too try-hard – functional spaces suit neat and orderly design.
This elegant vanity unit provides storage and room for two, thanks to its handsome double-basin design. Glass pendants are a refined addition that lend luxury and opulence to washroom routines.
Tell us…
Have you tried symmetrical styling in your own home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
Bathrooms are one place where you can exaggerate symmetrical styling and it won’t look too try-hard – functional spaces suit neat and orderly design.
This elegant vanity unit provides storage and room for two, thanks to its handsome double-basin design. Glass pendants are a refined addition that lend luxury and opulence to washroom routines.
Tell us…
Have you tried symmetrical styling in your own home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
Create a cosy seating area in your living room by facing furniture inwards, instead of towards the TV. This technique isn’t about creating an exact match, but rather a feeling of balance.
Here, the sofa is mirrored by a pair of armchairs…