Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Home décor accessories run the gamut from mirrors in an entry to those cute little knick-knacks on side tables. The problem with accessories comes in when it seems more is more, rather than less is more, and you can't enjoy the pieces for themselves because there is just too much stuff.
As a tip, when adding an accessory to a room that is already accessorized, remove one other item. You don't have to get rid of it, but store it and bring it out in six months or a year for a fresh look, or find a new home for it in another room (but remember, if you do that, you should remove one item from that room).
Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Some items that fall into the accessory category are:
- Florals/Greenery
- Mirrors
- Art
- Pillows
- Throws
- Vases
- Statues/figurines
- Picture frames
- Books
- Decorative bowls
- Decorative plates
- Small footstools
- Candy dishes
- Clocks
- Trays
- Plaques
Accessories should work with the décor that you already have going on in the room. They also allow us to express our personality in a room that is basically a box with furniture in it.
Accessories tend to look better visually when grouped in odd numbers; usually threes. However, if you decorate in a traditional sense, and prefer things to be symmetrical, you will be more apt to prefer, for example, a pair of candlesticks at each end of a mantel rather than three grouped together at one end.
Photo courtesy of World Market
Accessories can also be used to tie in the colors or patterns used in other rooms in your home. For instance, if you use red towels in your kitchen you can transfer that red to pillows in your living room, a throw in the family room and cushions in your dining room.
Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Ultimately, the accessories you choose to use in your home should reflect you and your family. Items that have meaning to you, that you love, that bring back a memory are some of the things that make your home a home.
Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions
Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are based on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.
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Nice simple primer for the do it yourself decorator which includes us all.
Remove one item when you add an item??? Where would I put it???? Store them??? Then no one would see them.
That's the difference between a decorator and a home owner. The decorator can be objective. The home owner can't.