How to figure ratio of project

[TracyP]

I probably did not describe this topic right, but. I remember seeing as part of another thread not too long ago someone was explaining how to make your furniture project appealing to the eye using a dimensioning rule. If I remember right it was based on a percentage of length, width, height, etc. Can anyone remember the rule or the post in question?
Thanks in advance.

 

[DaveO]

One ratio I use is the "golden" rectangle, it is 1.6x height by width/depth. Here are some basic furniture dimension standards - http://www.woodbin.com/ref/furniture/index.htm
With those ratios you should be able to design anything to look and function right.

Dave

 

[Bryan S]

One ratio I use is the "golden" rectangle, it is 1.6x height by width/depth. Here are some basic furniture dimension standards - http://www.woodbin.com/ref/furniture/index.htm
With those ratios you should be able to design anything to look and function right.

Dave

I have been meaning to ask this.

As an example is this rule saying if your project is 2 ft. wide it should be about 3 ft. 2" tall, or vica versa?

 

[Gofor]

Yes

Go

 

[DaveO]

I have been meaning to ask this.

As an example is this rule saying if your project is 2 ft. wide it should be about 3 ft. 2" tall, or vica versa?

The ratio of the longer side to the shorter is the golden ratio. How it is orientated depends on what you are making. If it is a stand alone cabinet, or box you would work with the ratio as width x 1.6= height. If it is a buffet or base cabinet you would work with height x 1.6= width. It all depends on how the rectangle is oriented
HTH, Dave

 

[TracyP]

The ratio of the longer side to the shorter is the golden ratio. How it is orientated depends on what you are making. If it is a stand alone cabinet, or box you would work with the ratio as width x 1.6= height. If it is a buffet or base cabinet you would work with height x 1.6= width. It all depends on how the rectangle is oriented
HTH, Dave

Now that is the rule I was speaking of. My son and I are in the process of building an entertainment center for his room and want it to look appealing to the eye as well as being functional for what he needs. No Plans on this one

 

[Gotcha6]

That number is one that appears in nature often. Its true value is defined as N=(1/(N-1)). Piddling around on the calcuator one day I ran it out to 1.618033988 FWIW. Try & see if you can get it run out further. It's a hit & miss procedure on a handheld - and I ran out of decimal places. :gar-La;

 

[scsmith42]

Using a fibonacci sequence also can provide some pleasing proportions. There are many internet sites about it; here is one with some very high level info:

http://www.masterpiecefurniture.com/design_notes/geometry.html

 

[jerrye]

No Plans on this one

DAYG...cool!:sad11::eusa_pray:help::dontknow::gar-Bi:icon_sunn

 

[rhett]

The golden mean as DaveO and others suggest is prevailent in architecture since Roman times. It is also approx. the same ratio as your pinky is to your hand and your hand is to your forearm.... people recognize it and don't realize why something looks good, and something elso does not. I am not making this up. To go a step beyond H, W and D, apply the golden mean to thickness of tops in relation to skirts or door panels in relation to door sizes. If two pieces of wood are in relation to one another, why not multiply or divide by 1.6. Being meticulous at the drawing table pays huge dividends.

 

[DavidF]

But don't get so caught up in the mathematics that you achieve an end result that is aesthetically bland. use the ratio but then step back and take a look. The fact there are so many proportional ratios out there shows that no one is perfect. Fibonacci as Scott mentioned is one that actually works really well on chests of drawers etc.

 

[PurpleThumb]

Using a fibonacci sequence also can provide some pleasing proportions. There are many internet sites about it; here is one with some very high level info:

http://www.masterpiecefurniture.com/design_notes/geometry.html

One of the Woodworking magazines (Maybe Shop Notes) had a divider plan that always gave the fibonacci proportions. Simple to make and simpler to use. I'll try to find the copy and let you know the issue.

 

[SteveHall]

Another way to think about the Fibonacci series is A + B = C, B + C = D, C + D = E, and so on. I think this is a better way to explain one definition of beautiful: when nothing can be added or removed. All parts relate to the whole and vice-versa.