Accessories may seem like optional additions to a home, but their presence makes a giant impact on the look of a room. They are an inexpensive stylistic addition and can effectively create cohesion between different furniture pieces in the home. Moderation is key, using too many of them has the opposite effect and rooms begin to look stuffy and messy. Here is a quick accessories guide for the next time you're out shopping:
Quality Over Quantity
Mass produced items are affordable and readily available at many home goods stores, but hoarding these items is impersonal and creates a city of clone homes. Consider investing in a single piece that speaks to you personally from a specialty or high-end store - one you can use to complement other personal items like books, magazines, or picture frames. You might find that one unique piece works better in your home than several knickknacks that have no value beyond price.
Size Matters
Avoid finding yourself with a postage-stamp rug in a colossal room, or a giant art piece looming over a tiny room. Before you consider shopping for accessories, take the time to consider the size of the pieces you need. Take adequate measurements for items like mirrors, side tables, pendant lamps, and other hanging decor.
Creativity Rules
Neutral colors are great for large furnishings and permanent pieces in the home. But accessories give you the opportunity to break out with pops of color and varying textures. Use them to add eye-catching contrast to a room and consider even rotating pieces between seasons and moods! Items like rugs, cushions, and throws are an easy way to add color and pattern to your home. Consider natural pieces like flowers, seashells, twigs, and pinecones that make for perfect seasonal decor!
Perfection in Imperfection
It is important to arrange furniture with symmetry in mind, but accessories are there to challenge that meticulous order. You can avoid symmetry altogether and still find balance when accessorizing. For example, group small items in odd numbers such as threes or fives and avoid placing identical pieces on either side of a mantel. Variety is key, consider multiple different items like vases, glassware, baskets and bins, candle holders, and other pieces scattered across a room in no particular order.
Beauty in Layers
Think of home accessories as decorations on a cake. Large accessories should be placed first and sparingly, with medium and small-sized accessories filling in and adding balance where needed. But keep moderation in mind, not every nook and cranny in a room needs to be filled.
When shopping, look for unique pieces that speak to you and keep in mind their size relative to the room. Once you have all the pieces you love, layer them from largest to smallest across the room, and don't be afraid of color and pattern. Also, don't be afraid of mixing different styles, you can always mix vintage pieces with more modern items! Most importantly, allow your home to reflect who you are and what you love.