What is Missing in Your Home Decor?
By Kathy Wilson
Most of us have that one room that just seems to be missing something
in the decorating department, and we can't quite seem to put our
finger on it. Usually, it's a simple matter of recognizing three
basic things each room needs in order to feel "right". Luckily, they
can all be achieved without a lot of cash, and in a short amount of
time!
First, make sure your room has a focal point. This is easier in rooms
that have a natural focal point such as a fireplace, or a dramatic
window view. Not so easy in other rooms. One easy way to create a
focal point is to paint a focal wall. Tape off the center third of
the wall first seen as you enter the room. Paint the center section a
darker or richer version of the color on the rest of the walls. Now
create a wall arrangement within that center third. The color of the
wall will set it off and immediately give importance to the wall
arrangement, whether it be a pretty landscape painting, or a
collection of your favorite antique plates. Easy, and makes a huge
difference in a short amount of time.
Second, make sure you pay attention to balance and scale, over the
whole room, and also within small vignettes. Balance means visually,
you don't want the room to seem off kilter. If all your tall or dark
colored furniture is on one side of the room, the room will seem like
its too heavy on one side. You want pattern and color in the room
evenly distributed, and you don't want teeny tiny furniture trying to
fill a family room the size of a football field! Likewise with
smaller vignettes, such as wall arrangements or tabletops. One of the
most common decorating mistakes I see is when someone places a tiny
framed photo all alone on a big wall. The piece should fit the space,
or should be grouped with objects that, as a whole, fit the space. So
look for balance and scale in the room, and making small changes can
go a long way toward making the room feel more comfortable.
Finally, make sure your room displays accessories that speak of who
you and your family are. Remember, accessories are better displayed
in groups of three or five, and have some contrast in height and
shape for interest. Include framed photos of your loved ones, your
Grandmother's candlesticks, or that shell collection in a pretty jar
your kids collected on your last family vacation. A room that has no
loved ones is not a loved room! It is these accessories that
transform a room from just a room, to your special space, so don't
underestimate their importance.
Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant and
is the home decorating expert for LifetimeTV.com. Visit her for more
home and garden ideas at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and
http://www.TheGardenGlove.com.
Also visit her at http://www.Women-on-
the-Net.com where any woman can learn to make money on the internet!