Creating An Exquisite Room

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Do you ever look at a professionally decorated room and wonder what exactly makes it look so good? There are many aspects of decorating that come together to create the perfect room, but there is one element that brings it all together into a harmonious whole. That element is balance. Have you ever entered a room where everything appeared to be grouped at one end, while the other end looked empty? To help you achieve balance in the creation of your own rooms, I've outlined a rather detailed formula below. For more ideas on setting up specific rooms, refer to the pages devoted to each throughout this site.

If the room we are going to put together is empty, great, if not, empty the room of all but the major pieces. Major pieces are the large furnishings in the room, Like your sofa or chaise.

Decide on your focal point. Possible items include: Fireplaces, entertainment centers, beds, elegant bookcases, pianos, large aquariums, etc. I'm sure you're getting the idea. The focal point and the main function of the room are the biggest factors to consider. Is this room a family room? Then the focal point will probably be the entertainment center, with maybe a fireplace. If you have both, and cannot incorporate both in the same immediate area, then ignore the fireplace for the moment.

Identify your major pieces and associated items. Many focal points are often accompanied by different types of seating and end-tables. The seating would be the major pieces with the tables beings identified as the associated items.

Decide where these items will go. You will want your major pieces to be balanced around the focal point: Two chairs on one side and a sofa on the other, two sofas facing each other. Make sure you allow the correct amount of space between your focal point and your major pieces. You don't want them so far away that watching TV is difficult, nor do you want them so close together that the space is cramped. So if your room is large, pull your furniture away from the walls and closer to together to create a comfortable sitting area. If the room is small, angle some of the furnishings to help the room feel large. Whatever you do, avoid the natural inclination to place furniture against the walls.

Place the remainder of your major pieces. Look around the room and identify the empty spaces. Decide which items will look the best in those places. If all your empty spaces are on one side of the room, create a lesser focal point or sitting area there. For example, if your entertainment center is at one end of the room and your sitting area is arranged around it, your empty spaces may be at the other end of the room, possibly by the fireplace. Consider a bookcase, a small table, and an easy chair grouped at that end. Do not attempt to connect the two areas. Allow them to be themselves.

Now for the accessories: Create vignettes on table surfaces. A vignette is a grouping of objects that are pleasing to the eye. Odd numbers are good. Try to use items of varying heights for visual interest. Books are a great way to add sophistication to a room and can be utilized to raise objects when varying heights are proving difficult. Group collections whenever possible. Not necessarily on the same surface, but in the same area in the room.

Here, a fireplace is the chosen focal point.

This room's chosen focal point is the wall against which the couch sits.

Again, the fireplace would appear to be the focal point, but what you don't see is that directly to the right is a cornered entertainment center. So either the fireplace or possibly the entertainment center can be identified as the secondary Focal Point.

A Successful Room:

Is Functional

Expresses A Mood

Exhibits A Sense Of Harmony

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	The Barefoot Robin \| home First Impressions \| Creating An Exquisite Room \| Houseplants \| Feng Shui \| The Conversation Room \| Collecting \| The Family Room \| On Bathrooms \| Where We Eat \| A Day In The Country! \| In Bedrooms \| Hostess Rewards \| Contact Us \| About Style \| Other Great Sites \| Products \| Feather Your Nest - Our Monthly Newsletter \| Services Creating An Exquisite Room Do you ever look at a professionally decorated room and wonder what exactly makes it look so good? There are many aspects of decorating that come together to create the perfect room, but there is one element that brings it all together into a harmonious whole. That element is balance. Have you ever entered a room where everything appeared to be grouped at one end, while the other end looked empty? To help you achieve balance in the creation of your own rooms, I've outlined a rather detailed formula below. For more ideas on setting up specific rooms, refer to the pages devoted to each throughout this site. If the room we are going to put together is empty, great, if not, empty the room of all but the major pieces. Major pieces are the large furnishings in the room, Like your sofa or chaise. Decide on your focal point. Possible items include: Fireplaces, entertainment centers, beds, elegant bookcases, pianos, large aquariums, etc. I'm sure you're getting the idea. The focal point and the main function of the room are the biggest factors to consider. Is this room a family room? Then the focal point will probably be the entertainment center, with maybe a fireplace. If you have both, and cannot incorporate both in the same immediate area, then ignore the fireplace for the moment. Identify your major pieces and associated items. Many focal points are often accompanied by different types of seating and end-tables. The seating would be the major pieces with the tables beings identified as the associated items. Decide where these items will go. You will want your major pieces to be balanced around the focal point: Two chairs on one side and a sofa on the other, two sofas facing each other. Make sure you allow the correct amount of space between your focal point and your major pieces. You don't want them so far away that watching TV is difficult, nor do you want them so close together that the space is cramped. So if your room is large, pull your furniture away from the walls and closer to together to create a comfortable sitting area. If the room is small, angle some of the furnishings to help the room feel large. Whatever you do, avoid the natural inclination to place furniture against the walls. Place the remainder of your major pieces. Look around the room and identify the empty spaces. Decide which items will look the best in those places. If all your empty spaces are on one side of the room, create a lesser focal point or sitting area there. For example, if your entertainment center is at one end of the room and your sitting area is arranged around it, your empty spaces may be at the other end of the room, possibly by the fireplace. Consider a bookcase, a small table, and an easy chair grouped at that end. Do not attempt to connect the two areas. Allow them to be themselves. Now for the accessories: Create vignettes on table surfaces. A vignette is a grouping of objects that are pleasing to the eye. Odd numbers are good. Try to use items of varying heights for visual interest. Books are a great way to add sophistication to a room and can be utilized to raise objects when varying heights are proving difficult. Group collections whenever possible. Not necessarily on the same surface, but in the same area in the room. Copyright © 2001 Robin Popowich Here, a fireplace is the chosen focal point. This room's chosen focal point is the wall against which the couch sits. Again, the fireplace would appear to be the focal point, but what you don't see is that directly to the right is a cornered entertainment center. So either the fireplace or possibly the entertainment center can be identified as the secondary Focal Point. A Successful Room: Is Functional Expresses A Mood Exhibits A Sense Of Harmony Vote for me in Best Sites Of The Net