Does Your Room Have Asymmetrical Balance?

Symmetrical layouts hark back to the days of drawing rooms, parlors and formal living rooms where twin sofas faced each other and all furniture and accessories mirrored one another. Enter asymmetrical balance—a design trick that relaxes a space and makes it feel collected, thoughtful, unexpected and personal, if you follow the right process.

Asymmetry is all about mixing and matching shapes, patterns and colors in the name of crafting a dynamic space, but it also requires a careful level of balance. “A little asymmetry is unexpected and fun - think of a small scale piece of art strategically placed above a bed,” says designer Gina Sims of Gina Sims Designs. “However, if one side of a room has heavy or tall furniture, the other side of the room feels bare and awkward.” Furniture and accessories need to be balanced in size, weight, and texture in order to make the design of the room feel intentional rather than messy.

“The key to asymmetrical design is to commit to play,” says designer Amber Guyton of Blessed Little Bungalow. “Move the art around. Experiment using Command strips before committing with a nail in the wall. Let it breathe for a few days, then play around with it again. Once completed, the accidents will feel purposeful and influence conversation.”

So take a step back in your space and consider how you can create asymmetrical balance in a purposeful way. The art of creating a perfectly imperfect space may sound like a challenge, but with these designer-approved tips, your home can look lived-in yet buttoned-up in no time.

1. Hang Art Off-Center

Whether it’s above a sofa, a desk, or, in this case, a kitchen counter, hanging art off-center adds dynamic rhythm that elevates any space. Follow the rule of thirds when choosing the spot for your art by dividing the open wall into three sections and hanging the piece in either the right or left quadrant of the wall while leaving the rest of the wall blank.

“Designing in a symmetrical way can be great because it removes some of the guesswork. But choosing to hang art off-center leaves space for what may happen next and is an acknowledgement that your home grows with you,” says Leah Alexander of Beauty is Abundant who designed this sunny kitchen. “You may fall in love with new artwork or a new wall sconce tomorrow. A space is never done.”

2. Highlight the Room's Existing Asymmetry

When designer Gina Sims was tasked with giving new life to this midcentury style room, she decided to highlight the off-center window rather than hide it. Funky wallpaper makes the window feel purposeful, and mismatched nightstands have a collected feel.

“Typically, asymmetry exists in design because the room itself cannot be symmetrical. A good interior designer finds a way to work around it,” says Gina. “When we first saw this space, the window was on a plain white wall and felt awkward, so we knew we wanted to do something interesting. This cork wallpaper from Innovations was perfect! We opted for a wall sconce on the side with the window and a table lamp on the other side, then balanced the larger windows with tall bookshelves. It makes the room feel comforting.”

3. Divide the Space Into Fractions

“When looking at a space, think of it in fractions. Paint or wallpaper 2/3 of the room instead of one accent wall; Hang a gallery wall in a stair step pattern instead of a 4x4 grid; Place statement art to the left or right above your sofa instead of perfectly centered,” says designer Amber Guyton, which is exactly what she did in her Atlanta home. A rich berry hue (Love Affair by Benjamin Moore) painted on two thirds of the wall adds immediate interest and brings in a punch of color without consuming the room. Art hung on top of the paint break highlights the playful design. “Asymmetry creates an atmosphere that’s more personal and less like a staged showroom. It makes a space feel intimate and specific to the people that live there versus a space that was created for others.”

4. Create a Counter Balance

Balance is the key to making asymmetry feel intentional. Designer Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors smartly balanced the linear fireplace and T.V. in this contemporary living space with a set of tall shelves. A low mantle that wraps around the wall ties the two elements together. “Asymmetrical balance is such a powerful tool in design because it allows a space to feel both grounded and dynamic,” says Marie. “Unlike perfect symmetry, which can feel formal or expected, asymmetry brings a natural rhythm to a room. It encourages the eye to move around and take in all the thoughtful layers, which ultimately makes the space more engaging.”

5. Bring In Asymmetry with Accessories

If you’re working with an existing space that already has architectural symmetry, try creating asymmetry with accessories. When in doubt, follow the designer rule of threes. Start with three decorative items, like coffee books, trinkets, or candlesticks and balance them out with a single opposing accessory that is a different shape or size. Three taper candles on the mantle in this colorful space nicely contrast a larger abstract piece of art. An accent chair and basket of logs positioned only on the left of the fireplace bring a sense of lived-in coziness.