Put three items that are approximately the same height next to each other on a shelf and the whole group can appear quite uninteresting, even if they have good color and material harmony. There isn’t much for the eye to do because the outlines all terminate at about the same height.
Tallness, on the other hand, gives a more distinct rhythm. A tall vase, a medium ceramic object, and a smaller bowl or stack of books provides a clearer form for the arrangement without having to add more objects.
At first this seems tricky since height can easily be confused with significance. The tallest item doesn’t necessarily need to be the focal point, and not everything needs to occupy a different plane. It’s about the interplay between items. A slender vase can reach up higher, while a larger, darker bowl has more visual weight. Books, trays, boxes, and other simple platforms can also elevate items when there aren’t enough different heights.
Try making one arrangement with three common items such as a vase, candlestick, and a bowl. Start by placing all three on a surface and notice the top outline created by the items. Now, elevate one of the shorter items using a book or small stack. Bring the items closer together and compare. Change only the height of that one item before you consider color, placement, and texture. This helps you focus on the impact of differing heights, instead of having to evaluate multiple changes at the same time.
It doesn’t always have to be a neat, descending order of tall to medium to short. That becomes monotonous if the items are all spaced apart. Let items overlap each other a bit, bring one item slightly forward, or keep two items close together and leave empty space on the sides of the group. On a console, the tallest item can be positioned on one side rather than centered. On a coffee table, you want the items to be on the lower end, as they’re viewed from all angles and shouldn’t block your line of sight.
Height works in tandem with shape and texture as well. The height created by a long branch that extends out from a vase is different from that of a ceramic object. Clear glass appears lighter than an equally tall piece of dark ceramic, but a large stack of books can create a heavy base.
When looking at an arrangement, consider the silhouette from where you’re usually standing. If the top edge is basically a straight line, adjust the height of one item and see how it looks again. A slight change in height can go a long way in making the whole group appear more deliberate.