Tuesday 16 June 2009

Decorating With A Focal Point

By Betsy Cash

Although you could throw random objects into a space and call it 'interior design,' you'll be much better off creating a focal point in a room and then decorating around it. Any room's focal point immediately draws the eye of the viewer in, as well as a basis for all the other decor pieces to complement or contrast. Focal points, contrary to popular belief, don't have to be in the center, nor do they have to be large and ornate objects. Anything from a small figurine to a big chair can become a focal point, no matter where in the room you place it.

Furniture is always a great idea to add as a focal point in a room's style. It can either be a seating area or a great cabinet which is place din the room. Antique furniture is sometimes used as the focal point because of its wonderful details and shapes. Heirlooms are another great idea if it is something which has been handing down generation to generation. This will be a great conversation piece when guests arrive.

Antique furniture is always a great piece to place into your room. That alone will bring a conversation into a room whether it is the focal point or not. Fireplaces are another great area in the home which you can make your focal point. They are large and always the first thing someone will see when entering. By placing great shiny dcor and bright colors onto the mantel you'll bring this to be the best focal point in the room.

Do you have an interesting painting or two lying around? Artworks are also effective as focal points because they're so different from the rest of the decor. In order to be successful, the art piece must be interesting and evocative so that visitors won't be able to help stopping by it. Generally, more dramatic paintings work better than subtle little opuses when you're trying to establish a focal point in any room.

Give some attention to your floors by turning using a rug as a piece that defines the focal point. Most plain rooms, for example, tend to have very bare floors. A large, beautiful rug solves that situation by adding interesting new images to the floor, while at the same time giving the viewer something interesting to look at down there. In rooms that are mostly colored in neutrals, a bold or dark colored rug can work particularly well. Getting a radically different texture and then complementing the rug's color with pillows and other accessories will only enhance the visual status of the rug.

Focal points can be whatever you want them to be. So be creative and make sure it is your own style and brings out the personality that everyone knows you have.

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