Designing With Nature's Perfect Shape
See Why Hexagons Are a Great Fit for Walls, Floors, Furniture and More
Vanessa Brunner
May 25, 2011
Houzz Contributor
Whether we realize it or not, the shapes and styles in nature have a great deal of bearing on the habitat we create for ourselves. Geometric shapes are a great example of this. Hexagons, for example, are a shape that we see a lot of in interior design and architecture, and are extremely common in nature. Sometimes called "nature's perfect shape," hexagons can also be seen in beehives, flowers, snowflakes, and turtle shells. This variety of patterns is echoed in design. Everything from wallpaper, to side tables, to molding, to light fixtures, has taken inspiration from this six-sided polygon.
A regular hexagon has sides that are all the same length, and all vertices have the same angle. This means that any sized hexagon can fit together without gaps — what's known as a tessellation. This also means that hexagons can be arranged together in infinite patterns and styles — like these great wall decals from Wallter.
David Hicks' Hexagon wallpaper is probably one of the more iconic uses of this geometric shape in interior design. This comb-like design is a great example of Hicks' love of basic shapes in bold colors. It makes a statement in this wall-papered powder room …
… but also works as a more subtle splash of design on one wall in this baby blue nursery.
While the eye is initially drawn to the geometric patterned rug, it's the brown lacquered tray on the ottoman that brings a hexagon to this outdoor setting.
Take a careful look at this home, and you'll see an octogon on the chair and a hexagon on the built-in cabinet.
A tessellation of hexagons makes it an ideal shape for tiling. These are especially popular for bathroom flooring, in tiny, mosaic-sized tiles …
… or bigger, more traditional-sized tiles. This shape of tile is much more flexible than a square or rectangle, which allows it to work with the curve and shape of a room more efficiently.
This honeycomb light fixture is one of my favorites. It's so simple, but adds such a powerful punch to a room. The way the designer echoes the shape on the stair runner is great too.
You'll have to look closely to see the tiny hexagons in this eclectic home. Designer Charles DeLisle used raw brass hexagonal tubing to create this custom light fixture, while the artist Catherine Wagner used the shapes in the original piece — which is actually a photograph — on the wall.
The hexagon is very prevalent in the Frank Lloyd Wright Hanna House in Palo Alto, Calif. The home is based on a hexagonal grid system, which allows for less error when building — unlike the errors that often come with building with standard right angles on a square or rectangular grid. The home itself is not a hexagon, but has a free flowing plan that curves around the hillside it rests on.
In feng shui, a six-sided shape represents longevity, expansiveness, and celestial power. Sounds pretty good, right? Bring some celestial power into your life with a cute little hexagonal side table.
Sometimes called a "building circle," it's no surprise that a hexagon is often the basis for the ceilings of circular rooms and glass domes.
The easy-to-work-with angles make the hexagon a common shape in quilts — both big and small.
This tile turtle is a reminder of where the six-sided figure first came from — nature itself. The fact that it's so aesthetically pleasing is due to its familiarity. The shape is all around us — you just need to look for it!
Next, see some products that can bring some hexagonals to your home.
Next, see some products that can bring some hexagonals to your home.
A standard gazebo gets a geometrically structural twist with a hexagon-shaped roof. This free-standing outdoor area has a sturdy structure due to its six-sided base and roof.
Want something a little bit bolder? Try Jonathan Adler's Lacquer Hexagon Tray. This is a great coffee table topper, or, like the third photo in this ideabook, a good way to pull together an outdoor look.
This beautiful hexagon side table is one of those classic looking pieces that can go with just about any style. Modern, contemporary, or traditional, its mirrored top and gold frame add a touch of glamour to any room.
The functional and practical shape of a hexagon make it a great choice for a drawer pull. It's easier to grip than a round knob, and add just that extra something to what might be an otherwise bland piece.
More: Design Details: Hexagonal Tile
Browse: Hexagonal Tile Styles
More: Design Details: Hexagonal Tile
Browse: Hexagonal Tile Styles
Related Stories
Organizing
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Home Office
Follow these steps to get rid of the paper piles and make room for beauty and better organization
Full Story
Remodeling Guides
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
White
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Entryways
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Living Rooms
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
Pros share solutions to design problems they often find in people’s living spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Decorate a Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer offers tips for creating a comfortable space that reflects your style
Full Story
Budget Decorating
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
By tidgboutique
See where it makes sense to invest in durable essentials and focal pieces, and where to economize on other things
Full Story
Lighting
Pro Tips for Lighting 10 Rooms and Outdoor Areas
Get professional advice for lighting your kitchen, bathroom, living room, office, patio and more
Full Story
Shop: http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/products/honeycomb-allover-wall-stencil