Laying Out Your Room
As you plan the sitting area of your room, it is important to think of how you use the room. Is there a focal point? In many great rooms, family rooms, or even living rooms, watching television is a main activity. Your seating should be arranged so that it is oriented toward the TV. Sometimes a fireplace serves as the focal point. In a larger room, you may consider a conversation area or reading corner or a game table for family or friend activities.
Area Rugs
When redecorating a room, there are many layers to the finished product. Starting at the floor, what are you keeping or changing there? Whether you have wall-to-wall carpet, or a hard surface, you can bring a new look to the room with an area rug. Traditional or transitional, patterned or plain, textured or not, the area rug can determine the feel and style of your room. The rug should be chosen first or at the same time as upholstery so that the colors work together. Whether you are considering bold colors, muted colors or neutral colors, the area rug will serve as an anchor for the room.
Lighting
While many homes have ceiling lighting, lamps add warmth and targeted lighting as well as beauty to any room. There are wonderful lamps in many sizes, using materials ranging from metal to ceramics to wood, or combinations of materials. Lamps can dress a room up or down. Lamps can make a statement when used in pairs, or provide and eclectic feel when styles are mixed. Don’t forget about color when selecting lamps. Lamps can provide that pop of color that your room needs. Consider the amount of light the lamp provides when decided where to place it.
Walls
Selecting the color of your walls is important to making the room reflect your preferences. Allowing the walls to remain quiet by choosing neutral colors can allow your furniture pieces to do the talking. Painting one wall an accent color can add another dimension to the room. Wallpaper can provide texture and color to a wall. The art you choose for your room can reflect your personality and the feel you would like for your room. When selecting art, choose the colors that you would like to emphasize. The subject matter of your art should say something to you. Are landscapes and natural scenes what you find pleasing to your senses, or do you prefer cityscapes or abstract art. Art is the most personal and individual choice you can make for your room. Size matters when it comes to art. A group of smaller prints can add a finished look to a wall behind a piece of furniture. On a bigger wall, a large piece of art can be dramatic and stunning. A mirror can add a reflection of light and dimension. When hanging your art, keep in mind that it should be at eye level. A common mistake is hanging art too high.
Accessories
The accessories you add to your room can serve as the jewelry for your room. With accessories you can add color and a mix of materials. A few well-placed items can go a long way to making your room look complete. Too many accessories can cause your room to appear cluttered. If you have a collection of items, consider placing them among books on a bookshelf, or in an etagere. A cohesive group of family photos adds a personal touch. Many times, one beautiful piece on a coffee table is perfect. Meaningful items from your travels can add a story to your décor.
At Today’s Home Interiors, we are here to help you create the rooms that are uniquely you. We have a wide range of resources for you to choose from when selecting all of the furnishings that you need. Our experienced designers will help you bring everything together to create the look you will love!
