The most important aspect of formal design is its symmetry. This means decorating a pair of windows in exactly the same way, arranging two chairs equally beside the fireplace, or placing two lamps on each side of a sofa. Everything in a formal room is placed in a very specific way, so equality and balance are very important.

However, a formal room always has a single dramatic focal point, such as a large fireplace or oversized piece of furniture that draws the eye into the room. Ideally the focal point should be placed exactly in the center of a wall and everything else arranged in pairs in relationship to the focal point. Many formal rooms have high ceilings, thick moldings, or intricate architectural features.

Formal design style should feel incredibly luxurious and give off that feeling that everything was specifically made for the room or cost a lot of money, even if it didn’t. This can be created using dark stained wooden furniture, thick velvet draperies, sparkling lighting fixtures, polished hardwood floors, intricate looking rugs, and gold framed artwork. Of course, all of these elements can be created on a budget. It just has to look expensive, not be expensive!