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Creative design starts with simple shapes

We all remember how we drew houses as a child: a simple box with a triangle roof and square windows. It’s too easy to think grown-up style has to be complicated. Going back to square one by sketching simple shapes can be a real eye-opener.

An A-frame vacation home using simple shapes

Take the example of this A-frame vacation home in Brecht, Belgium. It looks like a simple triangle fitted onto a rectangular house, but the designers dmvA have used symmetry, plain materials and stark palettes to make it look incredibly sophisticated.

This is the kind of home that could look childish or silly on paper, but the real thing is anything but. Inside the white and grey tones avoid any sense of being overdone and create a calm space to appreciate all the lovely angles made by the intersecting shapes. It really shows how getting back to basics with shape can pay dividends.

How to get started with a creative design

It’s really fun to curl up with a pen and paper and just draw some shapes to discover how you want your design to be. Take the buildings of Zaha Hadid for example – they often look like they started with a doodle on a piece of paper. One of her most recent buildings has a big curved wave over the entrance – it’s impossible to keep your eyes off it in the city skyline.

If you’re looking for the right shape for your home, whether it’s a new staircase, the shape of your kitchen or the layout of your garden, it’s a good idea to start out simply by thinking of what inspires you and what sort of shapes fit well with the surroundings. Simple shapes are the key to keeping things calm and relaxed.

The right approach for your home

Luckily for you, we have years of experience in helping people find the right shapes and styles for their home. We always start with a sketch and the design evolves with your thinking. That’s the beauty of having an architect to help you with your project – we’re there to support you and help you find the right choice for you.

There’s a great gallery of pictures on Cimot’s blog that shows you just where a simple shape can take you – check it out!

Creative design starts with simple shapes