Five Simple Elements to Decorating Your Home
For some people, the thought of decorating a room (or a house!) can be very daunting. Sometimes It’s hard to conceptualize a space and then take different things and plug them in to make a cohesive picture. Most people struggle with decor because they think everything has to “match” or that it has to fit a certain genre. I’m here to tell you that that’s not always the case. But one thing is for sure: with the five simple elements listed below, your room will come together in no time! Decorating doesn’t have to be fussy and complicated. Just follow the guide below to create the room of your dreams!
A Rug: I am a huge fan of rugs. The purpose of a rug is to ground the room. Think of it as the foundation of a house. When I work with clients who don’t know where to start, I often tell them to search for a rug they love. From that point on, the rest of the room comes together easily. The key to getting the right rug is of course to get the right size (this has to do with scale, which is a whole other element we’ll have to talk about another time). Your typical living room though should be able to handle a 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 rug.
Light: lighting is huge for setting the mood of a room. Overhead light (like can lights) can be very harsh and direct. In a perfect world, you’ll want layered light: cans (or task lighting) for practicality, and lamps, sconces or ceiling mounted fixtures for mood. And better yet, if you can add dimmer switches, that’s another element of light that gives you versatility in your space. Pay attention to how the light casts on the walls and the shadows it creates. Get moody!
Accessories: This is your chance to bring some warmth into your space! Think blankets/throws, pillows, baskets. Things with texture, color and shape; accent tables, plants, table art and even wall paint. Accessories really allow you to personalize the space and bring special character into the room. Bring in the things you love: unique, interesting pieces that speak to who you are.
Furniture: duh. You can’t have a room without furniture! When choosing furniture, form, fit and function are all critical, along with comfort. No one needs a couch that’s as hard as a rock. You should want to sit in your furniture. Think about creating small, intimate seating areas that invite conversation into your home. And one thing I see all the time that I loathe is when all the furniture is pushed up against the walls. Sometimes the room requires that but a lot of times it doesn’t. Get creative and move things around! Decorating should be fun!
5. Art: blank walls are a sad sight for me. Wall art is crucial for defining a space and bringing life into it! I’m a huge fan of gallery walls, which is a collection of art, plates, baskets, etc., as well as uniform framed art. Scale is very important here as well. You’ll want to pay attention to how big your art is and where you want to put it. I love huge art on small walls and big art on big walls! Anything goes as long as it fits the space. Finding art you love and the perfect place to put it is what finishes off any room!
I hope this list has been helpful in identifying some key elements to a room. If you can focus on these elements the next time you start to think about your space, it will be easier to create the room of your dreams! Share any questions or comments below and I’d be happy to respond.