The Elements of Space in Design

The overall room, with its doors and windows, ceiling heights and millwork is the "envelope" you work within. It is the space people move around in and which objects occupy.

A kitchen or bathroom space is defined by the objects or forms that occupy the area within the room. The relationship of these parts to the total arrangement of the room becomes the "space". To successfully plan kitchens or bathrooms, it is critical to understand the relationship between the individual form of an object and the overall space (or room) it occupies.

FORM
  The form of an object is determined by its structure, apparent weight and ornamentation. therefore, form is not just the physical shape of the object. Rather, it is determined by the overall structure of the shape and the relationship of that shape with others adjacent to it.

Remember: If the form (visual size) of an object is minimized so it blends with the surrounding space, the form (visual size) of the entire room grows in visual importance. That is why an item in a room seems larger is emphasis is placed on it by contrasting it to adjacent or adjoining objects. A room always appears smaller if there are numerous contrasting items in it.

One designers emphasize specific forms in a room is to contrast the heights of vertical elements throughout the space. there are three ways that this can be accomplished.

Create a Pyramid: With this approach the tallest vertical element is in the center and the adjacent elements grow smaller in descending order.

Create an "H" Form: Taller elements are placed at each end of a run of cabinets. this forms a symmetrically balanced "H" shape. Cabinets resting on the countertop, or extending to the ceiling, may accomplish this. Or use both of these approaches combined along one elevation.

Create a Step Ladder: The tallest element appears at one end of the elevation, with all the other elements growing progressively smaller.