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3 Steps To Arranging Home Décor Accessories
One of the biggest home decorating dilemmas
is how to arrange your accessories, whether it be a bookcase, shelf,
or tabletop. Here is a three step system that will transform your
boring or cluttered spaces into charming vignettes!
Harmony and Contrast
When arranging a space with accessories, one has to keep in mind
that the most important thing to avoid here is boredom! This has a
lot less to do with the objects you choose than how you choose to
display them. To keep an arrangement from putting the neighbors down
for their afternoon nap, remember to keep a balance of harmony
(things that feel like they go together, like similar colors or
styles) and contrast (things that spice things up by being
different…smooth against texture, round against straight line, et…)
You want a bit of both in your arrangement. Perhaps you could create
harmony by repeating a square shape or the color purple, and then
add contrast by sitting a smooth candlestick next to a rough basket.
Scale and Shape
Make sure that the items you are using fit into their new homes
scale…you don’t want one tiny paperweight on a large kitchen table,
and you want to steer clear of using a huge ceiling high arrangement
of flowers on a tiny end table. Most people tend to use things that
are too small for their surroundings however. If you have small
accessories you would like to display, but need to give them more
oomph in the arrangement, try grouping them on a plate or a fabric
covered box. You can also give them height by perching them atop
stacked books or baskets.
Layer and Soften
Once you’ve chosen your objects for the space following the design
principles above, now it’s time to layer and soften. Start with a
larger, taller piece slightly off center…this will be the defining
piece in your arrangement. Now work to the outer edges in layers…Add
a taller background layer, a middle sized medium height layer, and
your tiniest objects in the front. Keep the eye moving up and down
as it purveys the arrangement from left to right for interest. Add
some fabric or twisted ribbon to soften the edges of the shelf or
table, to bring in color, and to highlight certain objects.
Above all, keep trying new combinations of items until you find an
arrangement that works for you. Use things in unusual ways. Tuck
flowers or a live plant into an arrangement that seems too static.
Even professional designers will occasionally be surprised by trying
things in a new way! And remember, if your arrangement still looks
cluttered and lost, chances are you are trying to display too much.
Develop a prop box or closet where you can keep some of your
treasures, and switch them our a couple of times a year for a fresh
new look without spending a dime!
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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