The one thing that I have learned in the years of helping others with decorating, is that scale is often forgotten when putting together a room. I have walked into many homes and have seen the attempt to transform a space, but only small pieces of artwork or accessories are there.
It is so common to go to a store, try and choose a piece of artwork for the walls, only to get home and see that it is small and actually dwarfs the wall that it is hanging.
Proportion is such a tough thing to judge. The look of balance in a room can be difficult to achieve. You want to fill the room, but having all large items or all small items, often creates confusion in a space instead of leaving it cohesive.
Here are some things to consider when analyzing scale and creating balance:
- Fill UP Your Space – Ceiling height is a consideration in a room. The rooms space does not end at eye level. Make sure the pieces of your space take into account the height of a room. Mirrors are a great way to create a visual filler to a space. Take them beyond 8′ in rooms that have cathedral ceilings. They work wonders in these spaces.
- Group your Accessories – Accessories are unique. It is challenging to find things that pull a room together and fit your personality. Make sure you choose things you love. When you have them, group them together. Spreading accessories across a space, as opposed to having them sit together in one area, actually creates visual confusion. The “rule of threes” applies too — 3 objects of varying height grouped together.
- Make your Ceilings Taller – When you go to the store to purchase ready-made curtains, you can often purchase any color or texture you can imagine in 84″ length. DON’T BUY THEM! It’s so tempting, I know. They are right there, and you know you can get them home and hung within an hour. Take the time to locate the 96″ length or order them. What you want to do is hang your curtain rod all the way to the top of your standard 8′ ceilings. It makes your room look so much larger and actually creates a feeling of taller ceilings.
These are “go-to” decorating tips I use frequently in my client’s interior design projects and in my own home. I hope you find these tips helpful as you take on your own decor update. Let me know if you have any questions or decorating challenges that have your stumped!
Make it a great day!
Kellie