What do FedEx and the Broadway musical Frozen have in common? Sounds like the lead-in to a joke doesn’t it? No punchlines here, though. The answer is simply, “negative space.” Negative space is the area surrounding an object, an area that creates focus for the object it surrounds and that can have interesting impacts itself.
If you look at the FedEx logo, you’ll find that the negative space between the “e” and the “x” forms an arrow, a simple but brilliant design that has won numerous awards and consistently places it on lists of the best logos ever created. Now take a look at the broadway poster for Frozen, created by advertising agency Serino Coyne and UK artist Olly Moss. The positive image created by a snowflake uses negative space to create images of the characters.
Negative space then is a powerful design consideration, and not something to fear should you find yourself facing that empty wall or corner. Negative space relaxes our eyes as we track a room and helps bring objects into stark focus. Using it properly is thus a brilliant way to emphasize some singular showpiece. It can also, as the two above examples suggest, create interesting effects in combination with the objects you choose to place in your empty areas.
Using Your Empty Spaces
A Little Bit of Nothing: Don’t feel that you have to fill your negative spaces. At least not in the traditional sense. Interesting architecture can be accented by leaving the space unfilled but with a little help. A staircase, for example, with a nook underneath can be accented by lights to define the lines of the stairs. An empty wall can become a conversational piece of art with carefully considered placement of wallpaper to shape the space. Even the use of bold color in a negative space can create contrast that livens the emptiness and brings life to the objects around it.
Asymmetry the Symmetry: In an article on symmetry, physicist Alan Lightman said, “Symmetry represents order, and we crave order in this strange universe we find ourselves in... [It] helps us make sense of the world around us.” But because our eyes seek symmetry, creating asymmetry with design elements in a negative space can have a strong impact on the viewer. Try bisecting a space and placing art on one side while creating a minimalist setting on the other using an object such as a small lamp that emphasizes the asymmetry but doesn’t distract from the work.
Wall Hangings: The two main approaches to filling negative space on a wall are to use one large piece, such as a painting or tapestry, or to create a gallery of smaller pieces. The latter approach is perfect for considering the negative space between pieces as a means of creating interesting design patterns. Designers recommend some thread of unity between pieces when using the gallery approach. Unity can be created by using themes or by incorporating a specific unifying color.
Shelves: Adding shelving to negative space can be a great way of creating visual interest. Don’t feel locked in by traditional flat shelving. Unique more dimensional shelving offers depth to a negative space and can create interesting texture, depending on the material and colors of the shelving. Placement of the shelves is another way to create powerful visual patterns and to play with either symmetry or asymmetry.
Mirrors: Adding a mirror to a negative space, or even multiple small mirrors, draws light to the objects placed in a room and makes spaces feel larger. This can be an ideal use for that small room you’re not sure what to do with. A well-placed mirror also acts as a central focal point and can draw the eyes away from architectural elements you find displeasing.
Non-Wall Spaces: Every negative space is not a wall, and sometimes we need ways to fill an awkward corner or space where traditional furnishings don’t seem to fit. One surefire way to deal with emptiness is to incorporate a little greenery (and what could be more feng shui). This, by the way, can also be incorporated on wall space as part of a shelving pattern. Lamps are another method for filling void space and for providing brightness to an area. Combined with a few complementary pieces, such as a basket of pillows or a unique and vintage find, lamps not only provide warmth but make a space feel cozy.
Finally, you can take the opportunity for a negative space to provide you a little extra comfort. Small niches can be an ideal area to build a dry bar for nights of entertainment. Or, if a space is right, you can try hanging a hammock for some relaxed reading or a little snooze.
Don’t be afraid of negative space. Choose a design approach and gather your materials. Stand back from the space as far as you can to get a sense of how it draws focus and what might work best there. Then lay out your materials before you place them so that you can visualize what the finished space will look like. Find the arrangement that brings you a sense of harmony and that accents your favorite pieces.
Ivan Young is a writer for Bauhaus2YourHouse, a leading retailer of designer, modern classic and contemporary furniture.
