Dining

Asymmetry. Our brains derive emotional pleasure from symmetry, according to physicist Alan Lightman, author of The Accidental Universe. In design, objects mirrored along a central axis represent order, stability and calm. But disrupting the formality of a symmetrical room, as the homeowners have done here, can add energy to an otherwise static space.

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Here’s another example of negative space being used to subtly emphasize the positive elements in a room. The large-scale artwork is hung low and off-center to leave negative space for a tall and dramatic floral arrangement and for the quirky angles of the light to shine through.

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The long view. One of the main advantages of negative space is its ability to eliminate distractions from an outstanding feature and to enhance its effect. Standing back and viewing a room from where it’s most frequently seen can often reveal how an empty space could be used to highlight something you’d like to show off. In this room, an area of negative space ensures that two striking furniture pieces and a pendant light take center stage without being interrupted by any objects around them.

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