So you've painted the walls, got new furniture and there's a lovely, cosy rug under your feet - but what now? Accessories might sometimes seem like the 'small bits', however they can make a HUGE difference to the look and feel of a room. And because of this they can be really hard to get right. I cant tell you how many times I faff about with shelves and sideboards in my home, only to change everything round again a few days later. So while I'm definitely not an expert on this one, I do have some tips for finishing off a room!
Soft touch
Probably the best place to start - soften the edges of a cold looking room with different textures . Throws and cushions made of contrasting materials and add some interest and softness to a room. You can even introduce an accent colour through the cushions - I've recently added some blush pink to my living room with these George at Home bargains.
Not sure what to pick? You can't go wrong with velvet cushions and fluffy tasselled throws.
Mix up your textures
Using lots of different types of materials and textures can add layers to a room - think wicker baskets, brass or chrome trays/photo frames and pretty glass candles.
House Plants
They're definitely having a moment right now, so another good place to start. A trailing ivy or string of hearts can add some interest to a plain shelf, and a large cheese plant can fill an awkward space perfectly. Don’t know how to stop killing them? We’ve all been there. Go faux, seriously 90% of my plants are artificial, and it’s a total game changer.
Give a room some personality
Adding quirky accessories can completely change the feel of a space. My husband couldn't get his head round these hare knobs to start with, however after seeing them in situ on our hallway cupboard its a completely different story. They're almost always one of the first things visitors comment on, and have definitely spiced up this bog-standard unit - not bad for £3 each!
The rule of heights & threes
When styling a shelf or sideboard, I choose items of complimentary colours but alternate heights. For example, if you're a neutral lover stick to different tones of white/grey that work well together, perhaps with some hints of gold or black to mix it up. Then when arranging items I usually try to choose things of different heights that will work well together in a little cluster - and three items together always works well. Think a taller candlestick with small vase of flowers and votive in front.
Symmetry
I think symmetrical always looks great, however you don’t have to stick to this to the letter. For example, I’ve got groups of items either side of my TV stand (above), however picking things that aren’t exactly the same as each other adds some interest. And also means you’re free to move things round if you’re a fellow faffer!
Don’t be afraid to leave some space
You don’t have to fill every gap with ‘stuff’, this is definitely something I’ve been guilty of in the past. Sometimes leaving some space can work just as well as displaying lots of bits.
Thanks for reading,
Sam Xx
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Some really great tips for styling and creating vignettes. I'm a fan of asymetry, but symetry is much more calming generally. But you can fake symetry by matching height or volume or with colour. Fab suggestions.
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