Wonderful Home Decor
The Art of Home Decorating
Wonderful home decor can really add to the warmth and comfort of your home. But before you spend lots of money on the latest home interiors and gifts you should consider some of the fundamentals of home decorating.
Fundamentals
First of all you need to analyse the space and determine how it will be used. Will it be multi-functional, or used primarily for one purpose? An analysis of the space should always include the following elements:
1.) Shape
2.) Size
3.) Architecture
4.) Intentional Use
Only after you have analyzed the space should you consider the four common decorating components:
1.) Colors
2.) Fabrics
3.) Carpeting
4.) Furnishings
Mood
Mood is another question that you will have to ask yourself when decorating a room. Do you want the room to be traditional, contemporary, formal, informal, warm, cool, bright, subdued? You can use color to establish the mood of the room, and portray bright, dark, joyful or solemn, dramatic or casual, nervous or serine.
You can also use color to fool the eye, making a small room seem more spacious and larger room seem more intimate. Color can alter architectural appearance by camouflaging defects and dramatizing highlights. Even with a limited budget your use of color can bring a room to life. Alternatively, even the most expensive furniture and décor can look awful if the color isn't right.
Harmony and Rhythm
Harmony and Rhythm are two other concepts when creating a great interior space. Harmony in design is achieved when all of the elements related to one another come together to compliment the rest of the house. Harmony pulls the room together, while rhythm moves you around the room.
Good harmony and rhythm creates balance. Always consider at least one contrasting element for interest, and remember to accentuate the positive aspects and camouflage the negative elements in a room.
Creating a Focal Point
Why is creating a focal point so important? Because, you need to have a starting point for your room design. If you want to excel at home decorating you should start building a room in your mind, keeping in mind how the final design will look from the focal point.
A focal point can include any one of the following examples:
1.) Fireplace
2.) Unusual moldings on ceilings
3.) Wood paneling or brick
4.) Columns
5.) Arched doorways
6.) Picture window
If the room does not have any of these features you must create one so that your eye is drawn into the room and not randomly scanning. You can create this focal point in many different ways. It can be done with a piece of furniture (bed or sofa), mirrors, wall art, wall sconces, and shelving - anything that will captivate and draw the eye to that particular point.
The Art of Accessorizing
Accessorizing is one of the most important elements to finishing a room. Think of it as wearing a formal gown without the jewelry. Furniture is just furniture if you do not accent it with beautiful pieces of art, sculptures, plants, or signature pieces.
Always remember that scale and simitry are important to the area that you are accessorizing. Large areas need to have larger pieces, or a lot of smaller pieces to fill the area.
There is no right or wrong when choosing decorative accessories. It is really all about personal taste, and letting your own personality transform your room into a masterpiece. Use favorite objects, collectibles, and tabletop items such as candlesticks, vases, pottery, or greenery.
Here are some guidelines that can help you display your accessories properly:
1.) Group objects by color, material, and shape.
2.) Vary the elevation. Objects that are all the same height can be monotonous.
3.) Add depth - place items in a staggered pattern, three objects in a triangle, or overlap them.
4.) Choose a focal point. Arrange everything around one major object.
5.) Don't over do it! Too many items will look cluttered.
The most important thing is to remember that home decorating is an art. Let your personality and feelings influence your home decorating projects. Keep in mind that some people like conservative designs while others will love funky decor. This is how you will produce truly great results!
