When you enter a room, what makes you feel calm—or, on the contrary, uneasy? Why do some spaces feel inviting and balanced, while others seem chaotic or heavy? The answer to many of these questions lies in one fundamental yet often overlooked principle: balance in interior architecture.
Balance isn’t just a theoretical design term—it’s an inner sense that shapes how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. In essence, balance is the intelligent distribution of visual weight within a space to create a sense of stability, harmony, and completeness.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the concept of balance, explore its types, and learn how to use color, texture, form, and layout to create a visually pleasing and well-balanced environment. Whether you’re designing a new space or renovating an old home, understanding this principle will help you make more informed choices and transform your living area into a functional work of art.
What Does Balance Mean in Interior Design?
Imagine a seesaw in a playground. If two children of equal weight sit at either end, it stays level. That’s physical balance. In interior design, we deal with visual weight instead. Every object—whether a large sofa or a small vase—carries a visual weight determined by its size, color, texture, and shape.
Creating balance in interior architecture means arranging these elements so that their visual weight is evenly distributed throughout the space, resulting in a sense of visual stability.
An unbalanced room can feel tiring or uncomfortable. For instance, a room where all the heavy, dark furniture is clustered in one corner will feel off-balance. The goal of achieving balance is harmony—a state where no single element overpowers the others, allowing the eye to move freely and comfortably through the space.
Foundational materials such as flooring and wall finishes play a crucial role in this. High-quality ceramics from the PMA collection, with their diverse designs and durable structure, can serve as a neutral and stable base for distributing visual weight effectively across a room.
The Three Types of Balance in Interior Architecture
1. Symmetrical Balance (Formal Balance)
Symmetrical balance is the most classic and easily understood form of balance. In this approach, a space is divided along a central axis—real or imaginary—into two mirrored halves. For example, imagine a fireplace with two identical armchairs, two matching side tables, and two lamps placed symmetrically on each side. This type of arrangement conveys a sense of order, calmness, and formality.
- Best for: Traditional, classical, or formal spaces such as living rooms, entry halls, and master bedrooms.
- Pro Tip: Too much symmetry can make a space predictable or dull. Add small variations—different textures, unique accessories, or asymmetrical lighting—to create interest. For example, IMPERIO’s book-matched slab ceramics can highlight a symmetrical wall design with stunning elegance and luxurious appeal.
2. Asymmetrical Balance (Informal Balance)
Asymmetrical balance feels more modern, dynamic, and natural. Here, objects on either side of a central axis are not identical—but their visual weights are equal. For instance, a large sofa on one side of the room can be balanced by two smaller chairs and a table on the other side. This kind of arrangement creates movement and energy while still feeling stable.
- Best for: Modern, contemporary, minimalist, or bohemian interiors.
- Pro Tip: Achieving asymmetrical balance requires sensitivity and experimentation. You’ll need to adjust proportions, colors, and textures until the visual equilibrium feels right. The PMA collection, with its wide variety of colors, patterns, and formats, gives designers the freedom to create subtle yet powerful asymmetrical compositions—for example, combining large tiles with patterned smaller ones for visual rhythm.
3. Radial Balance
Radial balance is less common but visually striking. All elements are arranged around a central focal point and radiate outward—like the spokes of a wheel or petals of a flower. Examples include a round dining table surrounded by chairs, a chandelier hanging from the center of a dome ceiling, or a circular rug in a living room.
- Best for: Dining areas, grand lobbies, or spaces with architectural centers (like spiral staircases).
- Pro Tip: The focal point must be strong enough to attract attention. It could be a piece of furniture, artwork, or a custom floor design. Using precisely cut IMPERIO tiles, you can create an intricate medallion centerpiece that acts as the visual anchor of the entire room.
How to Achieve Balance Using Design Elements
1. Color and Its Role in Balance
Colors carry different visual weights. Dark and warm colors (like red, brown, or orange) appear heavier than light and cool colors (like blue or mint green). Neutral tones (white, beige, gray) feel the lightest and most versatile.
- Tip: A large dark-colored wall can be balanced with several bright artworks or light furnishings. Similarly, in a neutral room, one vibrant accent piece can bring visual balance. The PMA color range, from soft neutrals to bold hues, helps designers fine-tune this balance through flooring and wall finishes.
2. Texture and Material
Textures also affect visual weight. Rough, matte, and coarse surfaces (like brick, wool, or wood) appear heavier than smooth, glossy materials (like glass, metal, or polished ceramics).
- Tip: To balance textures, combine contrasts—pair a sleek marble tile from IMPERIO with a warm wooden surface, or balance a heavy fabric sofa with light reflective flooring. This interplay adds depth and sophistication.
3. Shape and Size
Larger objects naturally appear heavier, while irregular or complex shapes draw more attention than simple geometric ones.
- Tip: A large object can be visually balanced with several smaller ones, or by using empty space strategically. Large-format porcelain tiles from PMA minimize grout lines, creating a continuous surface that enhances the perception of spaciousness and balance—especially valuable in small home renovations.
Balance in Home Renovations
Open-Plan Homes
In modern renovations, open layouts often replace walls to create connected living spaces. Maintaining balance in such layouts can be tricky.
- Solution: Use zoning—define areas with rugs, furniture placement, or slight flooring variations. Using a consistent flooring type (like PMA’s porcelain tiles) throughout keeps the design cohesive and balanced.
Preserving Authenticity in Old Homes
Renovating old houses is about balancing tradition and modern comfort.
- Solution: Treat original architectural elements—like brick fireplaces or wooden beams—as focal points. Surround them with modern surfaces such as IMPERIO’s marble-inspired ceramics for elegant contrast and timeless harmony.
Small Home Renovations
Small spaces reveal imbalance quickly.
- Solution: Use symmetry and light colors to enhance order and openness. Polished bright tiles from IMPERIO reflect light beautifully, making small rooms appear larger and calmer.
Emerging Trends: The Future of Balance
One of the major interior design trends for 2025 focuses on biophilic and sustainable design—creating harmony between nature and built environments.
PMA’s durable, long-lasting ceramics align perfectly with sustainable principles, while both PMA and IMPERIO offer nature-inspired designs (wood and stone effects) that bring organic balance into modern interiors—combining natural beauty with practical durability.
Conclusion: Balance Beyond Rules
As we’ve seen, balance in interior architecture is a nuanced, multi-layered concept achieved through layout, color, texture, and form. It’s not a rigid formula but an art—and a feeling—that grows with practice.
Whether you prefer the structured calm of symmetry, the creative energy of asymmetry, or the dramatic focus of radial design, success lies in understanding visual weight and distributing it wisely.
Ultimately, balance is about creating spaces that look beautiful and feel right—spaces that promote peace, harmony, and livability.
With the premium collections of PMA and IMPERIO, designers and homeowners alike can bring this artistic vision to life and infuse every corner of their projects with elegance, stability, and timeless balance.