Have your home singing the blues

English: La Sal Gallery interior design 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you feel like you got caught up in the neutral twilight zone? Many interior design shows tend to have the homeowners jumping from one foot to the next  in their pursuit to have that commonly accepted, easy to adapt to perfect home. The frustrating part is, neutrals can be boring at times, especially if you have a yen to create a different sort of space more conducive to your tastes. To  heck with appealing to the masses. The good news is, the "masses" are shifting in what they like right along with you.

It is true neutral colors are easy for others to adapt to, and this can be extremely important when you're selling your home, however year in and year out, it can be a little monotonous visually. Initially the neutral concept was probably born out of an era pre dating -home decorating shows, where home owners  had to just wing it. It was like born out of the necessity to help those tone down some of those more bold colors and learn some stylish design in the process.

Today's buyer is looking for overall style over neutrality. What they are desperately running from is homes stuck in a time warp.  Luckily,  blues and greens are being embraced, and this opens up and gives us some well deserved wiggle room from the beige days. However, that being said, the style you pair up with these colors still needs to have a modern and contemporary flair, IF you'd like to sell.

 Muted colors are on the way out and some of those caustic bold colors in the reds and oranges may be as well, the quest for clean lines, and serenity may be reflective of a society now well informed about decor and design and over stressed economically, thus needing the serenity.  Greens and blues pair well also with crisp white trim which is timeless, and they also marry well with dark wood finishes so it is a win win yes?

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Cold space blues, a few tips to warm up a cold space...

warm spaces (Photo credit: ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓)

We allllll hate a cold space, its the space most wont hang out in or venture in. We have to ask ourselves what makes the space feel cold. Color, temperature, lack of visually appealing and or comforting items. If you address each of these problems, you'll soon find you can warm a space up in no time.

Temperature: Is the space really cold? A cold room will never feel warm no matter what you do it to it. If the space is poorly insulated you may want to consider purchasing insulated drapes in warm colors like browns, golds and reds for visual warmth and physical warmth. Electric fireplaces can be a wonderful focal point and also provide additional heat and have varied settings.

Visual appeal: Visual tools for warmth in a cool space can be utilized with candles, not just as décor but actually using them on a regular basis. Candle light emits a soft warm glow and will play off of the other accents in a warm to allow a little warm light to bounce off of any reflective accessories in the room. Reflective surfaces like metallic finishes, fabrics that have a sheen all can be mixed with matte finishes to create a balance of light and dark and warmth. Plants also have a welcoming, calming effect and where life will flourish, warmth can be felt.

Colors : Color matters in a space, and you can not make a cold space feel warm without color, however its not just color alone that works. Depending on the light in the room, the type of paint you choose is also important. Satin finish paints will let light reflect and lighten a dark space. Matte paint is soft and can give off the look of suede in candle light. A bright room that is stark and cold would do well with matte, while a room with limited natural light could make best use of the light with a satin or semi gloss finish to help the light source redistribute.

Other ideas: Sconces add decorative elegance and a nice soft light in dark spaces. Whether they are with candles or electric, they add to the atmosphere. They are decorative when not in use, take up little space and are purposeful when needed which makes them a great choice for lighting. Area rugs can also warm up a space where you have a lot of hard surfaces in a room. Always view your space top to bottom and side to side. Floors like hardwoods and tiles can sometimes use a little softening and warming up with area rugs and soft plush warm hues will do the trick nicely.

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Decorating for the Holidays in 2012

With so many of the nations citizens struggling with economic issues, and hardships, you may believe that worrying about trends is a frivolous affair. However, our environments play a key part in our mental well being and it is in times of struggle that we have to find ways to keep our spirits up, and remind us of our blessings. With that being said, the trends this year have been leaning toward two keywords, “cheerful” and “comforting.” Here are two ways to achieve different effects in your home this year during the holidays.

Cheerful decor- 

Christmas decorations by Albedo 003 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cheerful décor is a means of surrounding yourself with things that you wish to project into your world. Things that are cheerful speak to us, change our demeanor, and thus improve our lives on varying levels. The first thing you have to ask yourself is what puts me in good cheer? What colors make me smile? What do they remind me of? Once you have devised this list, find ways to incorporate these things into your décor. Make a list of colors, objects, animals and things that make you feel happy. Use this list as your inspiration and your theme. Perhaps your decorating theme for autumn and winter months is “new beginnings” or “love and memories.” Then build your décor working with your list of things that make you happy. Winter trends in color this year will be white, with red and green, instead of red and green with white. Just that simple change in how much of each color you have makes a difference in how cheerful it feels. Play around with color and the amount you use, will dictate your cheer levels, so be mindful of how much you use of each you love to see the difference in how it impacts your décor and environment.

Comforting decor 

Pine cones, male and female (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Maybe more than any time in recent years, mankind is finding a need to find comfort and joy, which has been a common wish and blessing for holidays for decades. Typically, we find great comfort, in those things that have a warm, rustic feel over the flash and glitz of more commercial holiday décor. With that in mind, think of décor that appeals to all five senses. Warm pine boughs on mantles are no new idea, but they will find a way into homes that at one point may have abandoned traditional décor. Why? Because when man struggles, he seeks out those things that make him feel secure and comfortable. The past seems in many ways a safe retreat from the present. Nature lends itself well to the comfort we seek in décor. Look for simple unsophisticated offerings found in nature to appeal to your personal sense of well being and connection to the earth. Pine cones, trigs, branches, apples, fruit, spices and scented candles will always have a place in décor whether it's the year 2012 or 2212. Remember simplicity is at the core of comfort.

Merging cheerful and comforting decor- 

English: Christmas decorations Polski: Dekoracje świąteczne (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This may be the best design overall. Comforting décor can be raised a level or two by being sure to add whimsy and fun to ordinary or rustic objects. The best way to achieve this may be to take rustic items and craft them into one of a kind bits of fun. Pine cones make great little pine trees with the addition of beads and pearls, twigs and branches that are tied together with raffia and perhaps have a cute elf sitting on top may be just the personality and cheer it needs. Once you open up to your creative side, and you take the everyday into the unusual, magical and whimsical, you have effectively merged both comforting décor and cheerful décor, the result is one hundred percent you, one hundred percent unique.

How do I make my sun room feel finished?

The darker furniture pieces help anchor this large sunroom

Dear Dawn,
I have a sun room that was added on to my home several years ago. Once all the work was done I realized it was a challenge to not only decorate, but for some reason it still feels like it is in a state of transition, and not a finished room. Where am I going wrong?
Leslie, Ft. Wayne

Dear Leslie,
One mistake a lot of people make with their sun rooms is making them too different from the rest of the home. If you want your sun room to feel more integrated and finished, you should try a few of the tips listed below:

Pull color from adjoining rooms 
A sun room feels less like an addition when you pull color from the rest of your home into the space. This doesn't mean you have to use the exact color, but using lighter shades in an existing color already present in the home should help the room feel integrated. Try to find furniture that is similar to what your already have and love as well. Don't be lured into buying furniture that looks like "sun room furniture" that looks picture perfect but isn't user friendly or comfortable. This could keep the room feeling not only unwelcoming, but disconnected from the home.

Anchor the room
So many times, we see sun rooms that are light and lovely to look at, but they still feel like a glorified enclosed porch. While sun rooms should be filled with light many times people forget that a few visually heavy pieces can be just the anchor a sun room needs. So what exactly are visually heavy pieces? This can be items with strong presence in the room either in size, color, or texture. With all the strong light usually present in a sun room, you may feel the room has a light, ethereal, floaty feeling that doesn't really say, come on in and get comfortable. Adding a few dark furniture pieces, a bold print rug, or some texturally interesting pieces should help "settle the room down" and make it feel like it has substance.

Make sure the temperature is under control
Believe it or not, humans are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. A few degrees in either direction can be all it takes to make a room less appealing. Sun rooms that tend to be too warm in summer and too cold in winter will not be utilized to the fullest. If you haven't done so yet, look into adding heating and air conditioning to the space. Light control is important in keeping a room from feeling too warm during peak sunlight hours. Investing in window blinds may be a way to help stabilize the temperature in the room. Consider adding additional sources of heat  and air with electric fireplaces, and ceiling fans as well. 

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How to compromise on colors in your home

Deutsch: Buntstifte, Farbstifte العربية: أقلام تلوين Česky: Pastelky English: Colouring pencils Français : Crayons de couleur Español: Lápices de colores Nederlands: Kleurpotloden Italiano: Matite colorate ไทย: ดินสอสี ‪中文(繁體)‬: 彩色鉛筆 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you have a spouse or significant other that has completely different tastes with regards to color and decor?  It is somewhat unnerving to try and find a compromise when you have two completely different tastes in colors working against each other.  Then end result can be a mixed batch of colors that each clash the same way you and your partner do.  Don't fret though, there are ways around this problem. Try these ideas below:

Merge your tastes into one. Sometimes the compromise can involve blending the two loved colors to create a new middle color you can both appreciate. For instance, he may love orange and she may love pink, a blend of these two colors will result in a peach or coral. Can it work? You can certainly play around with the possibilities. 

Meet in the middle with accessories. Additional compromises can be found in the form of finding décor that merges the two colors together. While this can be challenging, it may well be worth the effort. Area rugs, lamps, wall art that embrace different colors that appeal to you both can be a way to bridge the gap in your design problems. Finding these items can be hard, however if you are crafty, you may be able to do custom pieces yourself. 
 
Go neutral first. One way to play it safe is to make sure your largest surface areas in the space remain neutral. Adding custom pillows for a sofa that have colors you both love are great way to get both of your personalities on the same design page. You can also have drapes custom made, or do simple ones yourself. The idea is not to shut down and always give in to the other person, but to continue to find ways to meet somewhere in the middle with décor and design. 

Colors are changeable, and so they should be represented in décor that is less permanent as well. By keeping the strong color choices in the smaller details and the neutrals in the background we can always find ways to have our design voices heard and displayed without feeling like we got left out of the design choices.

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Monochromatic design: making it sparkle

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you are the type that will be reluctant to try a monochromatic design scheme because you think it is boring, take heed, there's great ways to make this soothing design aesthetic pop. When we think of monochromatic, we think of bland colors, similar shades and lackluster appeal. However, this is far from it once you understand the ways to make a monochromatic design wake up. Here are the key ways to make this design aesthetic work for you, without being boring.

1. Add plenty of interest to the room with texture. 
Textures add a lot of interest to design because they force the eye to stop and take in the subtle change in the color scheme. Texture in accessories can make the room feel more dimensional. Texture in patterns and fabrics can give off a subtle color change through the shadows created and this adds interest to the room without veering off the soft color scheme. Adding texture can be as easy as adding textured drapes, pillows, woven patterns and embossed wallpaper.




                                            
2. Add shine with metal accessories
When pressed to create a monochromatic design scheme that comes alive, it is important to recognize how important metallic accessories are in creating the sparkle that doesn't compete with the colors in the room but illuminates and reflects them. Warm metallic accessories like bronzes,golds, and copper will work wonderfully with creams, and beige,and warm pastels. Cool metallic accessories like silver, chrome, nickle will work great with whites, grays, and   soft cool pastels.                                                                            

Image via Wikipedia 3. Get sparkle from glass and lighting
Keeping a monochromatic design scheme simple doesn't mean leaving out all the details that make a room sparkle, in fact these details become more important since they serve more function. To wake up a room where color is simple, try incorporating sparkle through lighting. Crystal chandeliers often add not only sparkle to a room, and visual interest, but refract light and create more detail.








4. Using shapes, lines and curves
To continue to make soothing monochromatic design visually stunning the use of
interesting shapes in the room should be explored. Curvy headboards, or sharp angles that are repeated through the design will pull the room together and keep the eye traveling along the rooms space.

 

 

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Why color matters

color wheel (Photo credit: unleashingmephotography)We all have a color pallet we love, and for some of us, well, we're the quintessential color "junkie" loving all colors. While we may have many passions on the color wheel, it is important when it comes to our home to be careful in our selections. Choosing colors you love is the easy part, knowing where and how to use them is another story.
While many  designers may advise you to explore all sorts of colors, and encourage you to try them in your home, it is incumbent upon them to also help guide you in the process.
Trying wild colors such as oranges, purples and reds are a great way to display your creative side, you may have to do a little self analyzing to figure out if these color additions should be long term or short term choices.

Here area few questions to ask yourself prior to making bold statements in color for your home:

1. Do I change my mind frequently?
If you tend to change your mind a lot and find yourself changing up your rooms furniture placement, etc. you may want to add bold colors in simple ways rather than to commit to large surface area colors that are often difficult to change without a lot of coats of paint. Bold paint colors that go on large surface areas can change a room in many ways and be costly to correct, often requiring primers and more paint.

2. Do I tend to follow current trends?
If you are a die hard trend follower with design, then you no doubt are aware that about every 5- 10 years you will have to switch it out. This can in some cases translate into some serious money depending on how far you go. If the trend is just about color, try adding some color into the room via decor and seeing how you "live" with it, prior to making a bold move into a bold color choice.

3. Do I mind putting in a lot of work for a temporary trend?
As stated, trends come and go, and when you go all out to create a home based on trends, there will be a time and place when the winds of change come about.  The work to undo a trendy idea can be huge.  Remember when everyone was crazy for Country blue? Well many do, and as soon as the 90's came around there were people assembling en masse at the local hardware store looking for ways to strip the colors off of their kitchen cabinets, and cover it up on the walls.

4. Will I be moving in the next five years?
If you're planning on moving in the next five years, it is a good idea to pass on the wild paint schemes. Studies have shown that homes that have wild color pallets sit on the market, translate to more work for the potential buyer and don't sell as fast. In a struggling housing market, this could be a bad idea if you plan on changing locations within the next five years.


5. Am I sure I want large surfaces filled with this color?
You know, what seems bedazzling and lovely on a paint card/chip at the paint store may be a disaster when seen in your home on a large wall. There are many software programs,(see *link below) available that can help you see your room with the color you select in advance before you commit to buy. For those who are not computer savvy, take home a small can of paint and try a small patch of wall. Take note of which walls you paint, how light effects the color during the day and how the paint color works with the rest of the design scheme in the room.

See your home painted before you go to the paint store:

*Colorjive

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Hot interior decorating trends for 2012

If you are wondering what the new trends in home interiors are going to be for the new year, well here's a look. We'll see a glimpse of the past with vintage accents and décor in some rooms, while neutrals expand on the success of Gray wall color last year. Lighting will also go in a few directions depending on what part of the home you are working with. Functionality in lighting takes a back seat to style and artistic expression as more designer options become available.


Here's a look at some of the shifts in design for 2012. If you live in South Carolina and love to scout great deals on vintage décor, you have got to visit Columbia, South Carolina's many antique malls. Loaded with treasures from by gone eras, antique malls can be a designer's best friend. See the *link at the bottom of this article for a list of antique malls in Columbia, South Carolina.

Vintage
Vintage will always have a following, as many vintage design and décor pieces have a distinctively nostalgic and heartwarming appeal. However, vintage isn't necessarily retro in “feel”. Vintage is more about classic design that holds onto timeless appeal. Vintage is making a comeback primarily in the kitchen. You may see a move towards such design elements as, Soapstone counter tops, and vintage décor in the way of school house lighting, subway tile back splashes, vintage apothecary jars and old world touches. Also don't be surprised to see back to basics white cabinetry in the kitchen as well. Marble is also a hot kitchen island item and even with the special care required, consumers are wiling to take the risk for the beautiful old world classic touch.




Cool neutrals
There were two shifts in the previous year one was colors that were warm and spice inspired and the Neutral Gray was a big hit. This year there will be a gray inspired shift in all neutrals giving them cool tones. Sages, blues and even beige colors will cool down with this gray infusion. Why? Well one theory is once new construction homes started adding a beige color pallet to the walls of the newly built homes, a shift began to disassociate from builder beige. In shifting, consumers wanted to stay neutral but change the color to reflect individual style. The number one most popular trim color for walls is still bright white and with a high gloss, but in some cases, trim work in the room has been going quite dark with Mahogany and Walnut. Wallpaper is also coming back as designers alter the appeal of wallpaper with a design aesthetic more in line with today's homeowner's taste. Wallpaper has much more contemporary flair today, and offers flexibility. Many wallpapers are embossed and allow homeowners to paint over a wide array of design styles and textures.



Lighting
Lighting will take two shifts, one will go old school with a vintage feel especially in kitchens and bathrooms, the other shift will be more artistic. One way many homeowners can express their style, and tastes is through lighting. Lighting today can be as sedate or creative as the mind can conjure and because it is easily changed with trends coming and going, lighting can afford to be a little taste specific, if one doesn't go too far. Going far beyond functionality, lighting will be another piece of art in homes.
Antique Malls In Columbia

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HGTV launches 2012 Dream Home Giveaway

Image via Wikipedia

What better way could you possibly start off the new year than winning a dream home? Well this may be your lucky chance as HGTV again presents to you their latest masterpiece in home design. This spacious home truly is a dream and with all the bells and whistles we've all come to expect from the HGTVcrew.

The newest location for the 2012 Dream Home is Park City,Utah. The lucky winner for 2012 will enjoy a completely furnished home and if that weren't enough a 2012 GMC Terrain vehicle and $500,000.00 in spending cash for a total prize package value of over 2 million dollars.

If you would like to enter this sweepstakes up to two times daily, doing so can be as easy and clicking the links at the bottom of this article. For those that won't win don't despair there is still much you can do to make your current home feel like a dream home by checking out the following links here:

Renovation points to ponder

Addressing problems in a room

Importance of balance in home décor

If you love all things involving home design and décor, visit: Dawn's Interior Decorating Solutions.

Those wishing to make their dreams a reality have two separate chances to enter daily by visiting these two locations:

Front Door 2012 Dream Home Sweepstakes and, HGTV.com.

Rules for participating:

Dream Home Giveaway Sweepstakes Rules.

Tour each room:

Preview HGTV's 2012 Dream Home room by room

Holiday decorating and color choices

Image by Zellaby via Flickr

With the onset of the holidays in full swing the urge to decorate our homes is the best way to get into the holiday spirit. However, there are homeowners that are intimidated by things like color. Being intimidated by the bold colors of the holidays send some of us into a tail spin. Do I use red and green in a beige room? Will my color choices clash and be tacky with everything else in the room?

There are a few things we can do to pull off a classy, polished and well designed room or, if it suits you an old fashioned and . The first thing we have to decide is which way you want it to go, and what sort of result do you want. Do you want magical timeless and classy, or do you prefer warm, old fashioned and homespun. Perhaps you'd like to add a little modern flare to the decorating scheme.

My suggestions:

For classy and polished

Image via WikipediaThis look screams magical and embodies the glow and magic that we associate with the holidays. It is flexible and the easiest because it will automatically work with your existing design scheme.

Keep colors simple, and let sparkles rule the design choices. Metallic ornaments, clear crystals, golds, and silvers and soft shades of white will give your holiday room a sparkle and refinement that will merge well with most existing designs. Use clear lights on your tree and make sure to repeat your lighting and color choices throughout the space. Keep colors to a minimum, no more than three ideally.

Designer tip- Don't be afraid to be creative. Use old jewelry to decorate mantle garlands, lamp shades, and even candles. Old dangling earrings look great hung from clear beaded garlands, and pearl strings. Just because you're going for classy and polished doesn't mean you can't be creative and use some of those wonderful jewelry pieces that have lost their mates in your jewelry box. For

For old fashioned and homespun

 Image via Wikipedia

Its all about home made and nature inspired décor.

When we think of the holidays from our youth, many times we remember that our parents decorated with reds, greens and every other color of the rainbow. Little focus was given as to whether it matched an existing décor scheme, and somehow, it always felt warm and welcoming. Didn't it?

You really can't go wrong with traditional colors if this is the look you desire. If it is somehow clashing with other things in the room, consider removing those things temporarily so that you won't feel uncomfortable with the end result. Using natural materials and homemade items in a room are an inexpensive way to get a great homespun holiday feel. Decorate mantles with pine branches, real pine cones, and candles. Drill three shallow holes in logs and inset tea light candles, fill baskets with pine cones, nuts and seed pods. Use lots of red and green checked and plaid ribbon as well. Chunky cuts of logs can be placed on your mantle and a great pedestal for large candles. Peppermint oils, nutmeg and cinnamon sprinkled in baskets and vessels of pot pourrie will keep the smells of the holiday season in mind too. No baskets? Use clay pots and sit around your fireplace hearth, fill with cinnamon sticks, twigs and pine branches, and as always, finish off with raffia, or great old fashioned ribbon. If you are using a natural Christmas tree, save any branches that you may have trimmed off for decorating.

Designer tip: Polish up old candles and restore their shine and luster with a little vegetable oil on a soft cloth.

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Do you suffer from color phobia?

Image via Wikipedia

For some slapping a coat of paint on a wall is a funky adventure and an expression of style and color.

For others, paint colors, types and choices are a terrifying commitment to change that they are just not willing to undertake. These are lovingly referred to as the “color phobes.” There are also those that take their phobia to the extremes, no color on the walls and certainly very little color in the overall décor. As an Interior decorator, I am always shocked at how little people are willing to do to break away from their comfort zone.

So how do we correct this condition? Taking the mystery out of paint is key to at least getting a color phobe out of their shell and to tap into their creative side. Paints basically come in a few finishes, glossy, semi gloss, satin, and flat/matte. Which should be used for what? Glossy is durable and can stand up to moisture, can be washed, has a longer drying time and is great for cabinets and furniture. Semi gloss is seen often in kitchens and bathrooms for resistance to moisture and easy to wipe clean. Satin has a sheen as well and is also seen in kitchens, kids rooms and bathrooms. Flat and matte, great for walls that have imperfections. Due to the low reflective quality of flat paint, marred and damages walls will not be highlighted with flat paint. Now that dealt with the different finishes, in part so we have taken some of the mystery out of paint finishes at least, right?

The other problem is society screams that one should not dare paint any wall a color other than beige. Daring not to be neutral is scary, but can it be done? Should it be done and when should you do it? All good questions a color phobe may be pondering. When should you try a color that is on the wild side? Well that is up to you, if you aren't planning on selling your home there are a few risk free places to give color a go. Closet interiors, children's rooms and hall ways come to mind. Look around your home for some inspiration. Breaking free from color phobias requires baby steps, so try small spaces first.

Should bold colors be done at all in your home? Well again, if you aren't planning on selling, why not? Worse case scenario, you have to repaint, but at least you gave it a go, and that is important when you are afraid to take color risks. Perhaps your phobia should be toned down to colors in décor first. Bold sofa pillows, drapes or an area rug may help coax you out of your fears of using color. It may also tap into a creat at is in your home and just address the colors in or on it. Use that as your inspiration. Sometimes you discover your artistic side and that starts off a chain of events that frees up your mind, and your heart. Removable décor that has bold color statements are easy ways to break out of dull lifeless schemes and a safe way to address the problem.

Painting is only a cosmetic change, it's not a life time commitment. No more than changing your hair color is, which to some is equally daunting. Truth is, it's only color people. If painting is too scary, try the other suggestions mentioned here and see if there's a sleeping artist inside, chances are there is.

The importance of balance in home decor

Image by dawnella66 via Flickr

Staged-livingRoom2Image by dawnella66 via Flickr

This room is well balanced in its decor.

Balance in home design and décor isn't just about placing like items opposite of each other, or making sure every wall hanging is juxtaposed to another. Creating balance is about making sure the visual accessories in a room compliment and are visually evenly weighted to all of their counterparts. Why is balance so important? The human eye is trained to make distinctions in all it surveys.

This is a great navigational tool if you are lost but in a home, too many distinctive oddities confuse the brain instead, since the occupant of the room is not trying to figure out how to navigate the area, they simply want to enjoy the view. Balance allows the eye to gracefully scan the room and not stop and refocus continually. This promotes relaxation and calm. The next question is, how to create balance using different items that are not of the same color, texture or shape.

Visual weight of a object being used in décor needs to be countered to make a room feel balanced. Otherwise you have a room that feels askew and this leaves the occupant often feeling a little askew as well. To make sure that the balance is right in a room you must survey the decorative items and furnishings. Ask yourself these questions:

Which items does your eye travel to immediately when you enter a room?

The items that your eyes are drawn to are more than likely the visual weight champions of the room. Large furniture, dark items have more visual presence.

Is there equal distribution of these items in the room?

Single large pieces in a room that have no counterpart to balance them out will make the room feel off balance. When people sense a room is off balance, they tend to avoid relaxing in the room altogether. An off balance room creates off balance feelings. Maybe not in the most extreme sense of the word, but you will definitely notice it.

Are the counterparts placed diagonally or opposite of their heavy partners?

Balance is of course creating a counter weight in the room. A large dark sofa will throw the balance off in a room if the other equally heavy piece is placed incorrectly, or in juxtaposition with the sofa. What you want to do is to place the counterpart in an opposite part of the room.

Balance can also be created by placing tall items diagonally to each other as well. For instance, a fireplace with a tall vase on one side flanking a piece of artwork, need not balanced with another similar tall vase on the other side, you can place a taller vase on the opposite side down on the hearth and still get the sense of balance from this.

Other ways to help with the balance in a room is with color, a heavy dark piece of furniture can be off set by a darker wall color opposite of the piece, so don't be afraid to try color as an option it can really make a difference. Dark framed pictures and wall décor also carry a great deal of weight visually in spite many times of their size so always try to employ a little dark in the room. Dark accents while visually weighty often “sit a design down” in a room. A room that is without a few dark accents can feel somewhat transitional and temporary. However in some cases this may be just what the owner wants, especially in bedrooms, beach themed rooms or zen inspired décor.

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