How to Use Math in Decorating Your Home

To reinforce the math taught to your children in school, you can point out the mathematical applications in everyday life. You can do this while fixing dinner, during playtime or walks, and, better still, by relating math with design and home decoration. For how long has math been incorporated into design and decor? You can find some of the earliest instances in the layouts of the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Taj Mahal. Our senses are tuned to appreciate proportion in everything we see. Furthermore, the patterns on a pine cone, the concentric spirals on a sea shell, and the arrangement of flower petals all involve the golden ratio in their outline.¹ 

Keep reading this article to learn how to apply math concepts to make your home decor more appealing.

Advantages of Using Math to Decorate Your Home

Many aspects of home decor correlate with your conceptual understanding of math.⁴ Applying these concepts in doing up your space has numerous benefits, as described below.^1,4

• Improving Your Design Blueprints

Math lets you visualize your space and determine how to move objects and furniture around to improve the overall look.

• Generating Visual Interest

Using math in home decor helps create a synchronous effect that appeals to the senses. 

• Having an Idea About the Correct Measurements

A basic understanding of units like square feet, meters, or inches assists in working out the dimensions. 

• Coordinating and Structuring the Designs

Math can make your design ideas translate into real life. It imparts the balanced and attractive look you want to achieve.

• Planning Your Space

Math calculations can determine the best use of an area and what to incorporate into it. 

• Sticking to the Budget

Mathematical estimates based on measurements help you plan your budget and not go overboard.

Where Can You Apply Math Concepts in Home Decoration?

It is time to put your theoretical knowledge of mathematical concepts to good use in decorating your home. Here are the areas where you can apply math to liven up your home appeal.^2,3

• Furniture

Knowing where to place furniture and the appropriate interval to maintain requires a basic understanding of math. Ideally, the distance between the wall and the furniture should be 36 inches. A space of 18 inches between the coffee table and the couch imparts an elegant look.

• Light Fixtures

Fix ceiling lights at a height that does not restrict movement. Place pedestal lamps at appropriate distances from the surrounding furniture. Wall switches should be accessible, and there should be spacing between them and the door trims. 

• Wall Hangings

The ideal height for artwork on your wall is around 56 inches high. Math comes in handy while hanging them, as you need to center them properly. Leaving a space of approximately 8 inches between your couch and a wall hanging gives it a less crowded appearance. Math also helps you understand the types of nails or hooks required to fix an artwork, depending on their gross weight.

• Curtains

A clear understanding of length, width, and height can help you place the curtains on your doors and windows so they look esthetic.

• Room Partitions

Math helps in deciding where to place dividers to separate the hallway into two parts and make it visually appealing.

Top Tips to Decorate Your Home Using Geometry and Patterns

The mathematical branch of geometry finds vast applications in interior design. By modifying geometric patterns and shapes, you can transform the look of your home interiors.⁶ Here are some ways you can incorporate geometry in home decoration.^5,6

• Patterned or textured walls enhance the harmonious appeal of a room.
• A statement center table or armchair with unconventional geometric patterns adds a vintage touch.
• Experiment with different shapes in wall furniture to impart uniqueness to your home decor.
• Synchronize and contrast the patterns and colors of your cushion covers with the furniture and curtains in the room.
• Choose hexagonal patterns for your walls and rugs to achieve a multilayered look.
• Lamps and light fixtures with distinctive shapes glam up the room’s look.

Creativity and Math Go Hand in Hand

Involving your children in planning your home decor adds to the fun. Show them how math, especially geometry and measurements, makes decorating the home more fun. It will enhance their creative skills and help them understand mathematical applications in real-life situations. If you found this article informative, please visit BYJU’S FutureSchool Blog to read more blogs on how math plays a role in interior design and architecture.

References
Jameson, M., & The Denver Post, S. T. (2014, August 2). Home decor and the Golden Mean: How math can make your home prettier. The Denver Post. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://www.denverpost.com/2014/08/01/home-decor-and-the-golden-mean-how-math-can-make-your-home-prettier/
How to Use Math In Decorating Your Home | Homesteady. (n.d.). HomeSteady | the Ultimate Guide for All Your Household Needs. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://homesteady.com/12449499/how-to-use-math-in-decorating-your-home
Learn the Mathematics of Decorating. (2018, August 7). Sunshine Drapery & Interior Design. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://sunshinedrapery.com/learn-mathematics-of-decorating/
How do Interior Designers Use Math? – The Art Bay. (2020, November 11). The Art Bay. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://theartbay.com/how-do-interior-designers-use-math/
Easy Math – Decorating with Geometrics. Nichols, K. (2014, August 19). Livinator. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://livinator.com/easy-math-decorating-geometrics/
When Interior Designs Meet Geometry. (n.d.). Decorpot. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://www.decorpot.com/blog/when-interior-designs-meet-geometry