Home Decor: Creating Balance

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

04 May 2006 05:47 AM

If there is a room in your home (or maybe even more than one) that just doesn't feel right, it may be a matter of balance. Stand at the entrance to the room and look at it with a critical eye. Look at the entire space, paying close attention to every detail. Look for areas that feel crowded or empty, and look closely at items that instantly catch your eye. Why does a particular item command your attention? Is it too big, too small, too colorful, too plain, or does it feel odd in the space for some other reason?

It may be that the piece needs others like it to tie it in with the rest of the decor. If all or most of the print or texture is gathered together in one area, try to spread it around the room. The same applies to color. Break up the color and sprinkle it around the room to help tie everything together. This may mean removing pieces with strong colors or textures or adding others that are similar.

If all the dark or heavy pieces of furniture are on one side of the room, try rearranging a bit to give the space more balance. Sometimes, moving one piece, or removing it entirely, can make a big difference. If there is a natural focal point such as a fireplace or a large window, you don't want to flank it with large pieces if there aren't any large pieces in other parts of the room. Flank it with smaller items, and spread the large pieces out.

You might also need to add something else to the space to achieve a good balance. A piece of artwork or an architectural element can help even things out. You might also need to fill in empty spaces with a few more accessories. If one side of the room feels "full" while the other side seems sparse, some simple additions, such as a few plants can make the space feel more balanced.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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