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Interior Design vocabulary · Design Principles

Contrast

Meaning in interior design, with examples

/ˈkɒntrɑːst/nounCore term

In interior design, contrast means: A strong difference between colours, tones, materials or shapes placed together, such as black against white or rough stone against polished brass.

In Turkish: kontrast, zıtlık

How it is used

Used to add energy and definition to a design. You add, create or need contrast, and there can be too much or too little. Contrast also matters for accessibility: people with low vision need clear contrast between floors, walls and doors.

Example sentences

  1. The black window frames give a nice contrast against the white walls.

  2. There's not enough contrast between the floor and the stairs, which could be a safety issue.

Common collocations

  • high contrast
  • create contrast
  • contrast in texture
  • tonal contrast
  • balanceThe even spread of visual weight in a room, so that no side feels heavier or emptier than another; it can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
  • textureThe way a surface feels, or looks as if it would feel, such as rough, smooth, soft or grainy; in design it adds depth and interest to a room.
  • complementary coloursPairs of colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green, which create strong contrast when used together.
  • accent colourA strong colour used in small amounts, for example on cushions, a chair or a door, to add interest to a mostly calm colour scheme.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Design Principles

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