The use of an element to ground or weigh down a space.

An anchoring element is an object or surface that can be the catalyst for the design of a room or a series of connected spaces. By having an outsized impact on the overall composition, the anchor element provides cues around which other design decisions can be further developed.

An anchor element can take the form of many materials and objects, whether it is an important work of art, a heavier (darker) material on a surface, or an opening that through absence makes its presence felt. Anchoring elements should provide the focal point for a space, and should not be overwhelmed by the placement of competing adjacent objects. The lighting of an anchor object is critical to the composition, and intense spotlighting can further enhance its impact.

Examples of anchoring elements includes

Objects

A painting, photograph, sculpture, or light installation.

Furniture

A large table that dominates a room, an arrangement of furniture or light fixtures in a space.

Horizontal Surfaces

A darker floor that draws the eye down or an area rug on a lighter surface.

Vertical Surfaces

Elevating a wall through bold use of paint, textile, or wood paneling.

Heavy Textiles

Framing a window with excessive drapery or using acoustic wall products.

Apertures

Somewhat counter-intuitive, a large window or opening can, through the absence of surface, act as the center of interest in a space.