Create Focal Points In Your Rooms
Create Focal Points In Your Rooms
To Give Them A Professional Look
Want to create and decorate rooms that are comfortable and inviting? Interior decorators know that you can use focal points to highlight special features and draw the eye around the room. That’s what sets them apart from a room that is “just thrown together.” If you feel like your rooms could use a little help in this area, peruse these suggestions:
Rustic fireplace gives this bedroom texture and ambiance.
Play up a fireplace – one of the biggest mistakes people make is covering up their fireplace. If you have one, try to find a way to arrange furniture so some of it faces this feature. Even if you don’t use it much, it is a natural attraction. Don’t clutter the mantel or wall above it with too much stuff; keep it clean – put a basket of large pinecones in it if you don’t use it. A large piece of artwork above helps to draw the eye to it. Usually a fireplace is the “WOW” factor when you walk into the room, so don’t sell it short!
- Showcase great windows - do you have large, beautiful windows? Do they look out onto a great view? Arrange furniture so you see them when you walk in the room. Frame them with drapes that let in light and let you see out. There are so many to choose from. You can spend quite a bit or choose very inexpensive panels. Each has their own special look. These frame your view and set the tone for your room.
Room-sized mural in the living room
- Display artwork – So many people have nice pieces of art, but they never get around to putting it up. Instead, they clutter horizontal surfaces with lots of small photos or hang many pictures on the wall. While you want to see family photos, neutral art will make your rooms look more elegant and upscale. Put the family photos in lovely albums and put them out on the coffee table. Use wall art to define your style and make a statement.
- Create “zones” that define each - if you have rooms that serve multiple purposes, define each space so it doesn’t look cluttered. A common use of space is to make a spare bedroom into an office. Keep office clutter contained in neat shelves, drawers or baskets and confine it to one area. The bedroom furniture shouldn’t be piled with papers, books and your extra office overflow. Each area should have it’s own special focal point such as wall art or a beautifully dressed bed.
- Use an area rug to help define spaces. Rugs can be focal points too. So choose one that goes with your décor, color scheme and personal style. Consider a large one under a dining room table and chairs. Or mark off the TV viewing area with a rug and leave another space for reading, playing games or relaxing.
- You can also divide rooms with shelves They can serve double duty as storage and room dividers! These become a focal point when you tastefully arrange items on them and don’t over-clutter them.
- You can create focal points in so many different ways. Just be sure to let one point in the room dominate and don’t upstage it with lots of other focal points! Decide what the main feature of the room is, then let that be what your eye sees first.
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