I don't hate symmetry, in fact, I think that it is a stunning tool that the interior designer can use. However, symmetry can be overused and well that is... boring.
Symmetry is an important part of design. It is used frequently to establish the space and set the tone. A design without any thought to symmetry can often feel disjointed and random. It can, and often does get overused, then it can become boring and predictable.
When you see a space that has overused symmetry, your eye will bounce back and forth over the space, visually judging like one of those "spot the difference between the two pictures" puzzles. There may be a strong focal point that sets the symmetry - but rather than being the focal point it becomes the dividing line in your mind as you scan the two sides.
How do you avoid this overuse of symmetry? Add visual balance instead of strict symmetry. Give both sides of the room visual weight. Make it interesting. Use lines of symmetry to create the balance but play it up with more visual interest and more thought.
In the above photo - you see the use of symmetry, balance and intentional asymmetry all working together to create a space that is interesting, visually stunning and where your eye travels around the room instead of just bouncing back and forth.
The two cubes, the cocktail table and the sofa create a line of symmetry that is pleasing to the eye. Setting that line of symmetry parallel to the fireplace made it more interesting. The fireplace is the focal point of this room, if the line of symmetry would have been set off of the fireplace the whole room would have felt more weighted by it and less interesting. The three windows set in the same wall will equal distance between them seems to set the stage for symmetry on that wall as well. the designer brilliantly used that sense of symmetry to anchor the main elements in the room, but then played up the asymmetry of the windows shapes by highlighting the two arched windows with lamps and balancing the more basic rectangle window with a collection of interesting monotone objects. This really uses the architecture of the space perfectly.
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