The key to creating a well-decorated home is found in the details. No matter what room you are decorating, planning ahead is important to ensure that your home is both functional and esthetically pleasing.
Here are a few tips to consider when planning the details of your next decor project:
1: Measure Twice, Buy Once
Have you ever bought a new sofa that doesn’t fit in your living room or a bed that doesn’t fit in your bedroom? It’s happened to the best of us. We see something we like in-store and we try to visually determine if it will fit in the space. It’s like instructions—most think they don’t need them but it would save us a lot of time and headache if we simply read them. The same can be said when buying furniture. If you think you don’t need to measure because you can “eyeball it,” think again! Any stylist will tell you that the scale and proportion of a piece of furniture is just as important as how “good” it looks.
2: Create Your Own Dressing Room
Transform a walk-in closet into a dressing room by adding a vanity for hair and makeup. Place a small, framed photo of family or friends on the vanity, or a delicate jewellery box holding family heirlooms as a remainder of the precious things in life as you get ready in the morning. A window with drapes helps bring natural light into the space and keeps it looking open and airy. To finish off the look, hang your favourite framed art. Make this space your own!
3: Soften a Hardwood Floor
Soften the hard surface of a wooden floor with an area rug in a contrasting neutral colour. Rugs come in all colours and textures so be sure to bring a sofa cushion to colour match when shopping.
4: Create a Conversation Area
Create the perfect conversation area within an open concept space by choosing colours that coordinate with the rest of the room. As these areas are usually “floating” within a larger room, lay an area rug to help define the conversation area and visually tie the furniture pieces together.
5: Pick the Right Light Fixture
Remember, the scale of a light fixture is just as important as the style. Ensure your fixture is the right size to match the scale of the room. When it comes time to hang your light fixture, the general rule is to hang it 30 – 36 inches from the top of the table.
Marc Atiyolil is a celebrity designer, the Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Home Trends Magazine, a design expert on CTV, host of the TV series DIY Hotline and the host of the Marc Atiyolil Show on www.MarcAtiyolil.com. To subscribe to Home Trends Magazine visit www.CanadianHomeTrends.com.
COPYRIGHT 2013 - Marc Atiyolil Media Inc.
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