Accessories to enhance your living room
Jun 29, 2007
ACCESSORIES are the personality of decorating. Indeed they show the personality of the user of the room; giving it a sense of individuality, life, interest, beauty, convenience, style, design and visual weight (dark or big objects appear heavier than small or bright ones).
By Catherine Imekedet
ACCESSORIES are the personality of decorating. Indeed they show the personality of the user of the room; giving it a sense of individuality, life, interest, beauty, convenience, style, design and visual weight (dark or big objects appear heavier than small or bright ones).
Be creative and your budget does not have to be high. When buying or placing accessories, envisage how they will fit in with other items in the room, the users of the room and their ages, when the room is used and its size.
Well-maintained potted or cut plants are good livening decorative accessories. Ask a knowledgeable person to help you choose house plants which may include palms and wandering Jew.
The size and shape of a foliage plant in relation to other objects is very important. A plant should be big if the furniture is big. Place plants on an end table, corner or near a window for its light needs. Plants help to fill up a spacious room. Get bouquets with a colour that harmonises with your décor.
A clock is important in this age, but do not hang it simply because it tick-tocks! Its design, colour, type and pattern must conform to the room. A big wood-cased grand father clock will not fit in with a small contemporary living room of chrome and glass. Shop for an interesting shape and colour of clock. Consider its line form i.e. is it straight, curved, horizontal or vertical? If your chair frames are curved, buy a curvy or circular clock. A bright patterned clock attracts children to learn to tell time.
Throw cushions suggest friendliness and comfort which is what living rooms should be. By filling in the corners and angles, throw cushions soften the appearance of sofas. Cushions can contrast with the sofas in different ways. Patterned ones are best on plain-coloured sofas and vice-versa. If you choose to have both sofa and pillows patterned, let the patterns be similar, but have the cushion patterns in bigger prints.
Invest in different sets of cushion cases to create different moods. Have bright cases for the cold weather months, like reds, oranges, yellows to lend visual warmth and blues and greens to lend coolness to the overall effect. Silky shinny cushions give a sophisticated look when you need it. Remember, the larger the cushions, the more subdued their colour should be.
In addition to giving light, lumps or bulbs can be used as accessories. Their size and shapes are important in achieving a particular desirable effect. A crystal chandelier style best works in a formal setting. In a small room, use small lighting fixtures which take little physical and visual space. Use bulbs that give light which conforms to the mood of your living room. Soft neutral light is advisable. This is especially if the room is also used for entertainment, relaxation, TV-watching or dining.
You can also use several wall hangings arranged together to create the focal point of the room. Have a variety of them in terms of form, size and shape. Leave small space between them for them to appear as a group.
The writer is an
interior design student
ACCESSORIES are the personality of decorating. Indeed they show the personality of the user of the room; giving it a sense of individuality, life, interest, beauty, convenience, style, design and visual weight (dark or big objects appear heavier than small or bright ones).
Be creative and your budget does not have to be high. When buying or placing accessories, envisage how they will fit in with other items in the room, the users of the room and their ages, when the room is used and its size.
Well-maintained potted or cut plants are good livening decorative accessories. Ask a knowledgeable person to help you choose house plants which may include palms and wandering Jew.
The size and shape of a foliage plant in relation to other objects is very important. A plant should be big if the furniture is big. Place plants on an end table, corner or near a window for its light needs. Plants help to fill up a spacious room. Get bouquets with a colour that harmonises with your décor.
A clock is important in this age, but do not hang it simply because it tick-tocks! Its design, colour, type and pattern must conform to the room. A big wood-cased grand father clock will not fit in with a small contemporary living room of chrome and glass. Shop for an interesting shape and colour of clock. Consider its line form i.e. is it straight, curved, horizontal or vertical? If your chair frames are curved, buy a curvy or circular clock. A bright patterned clock attracts children to learn to tell time.
Throw cushions suggest friendliness and comfort which is what living rooms should be. By filling in the corners and angles, throw cushions soften the appearance of sofas. Cushions can contrast with the sofas in different ways. Patterned ones are best on plain-coloured sofas and vice-versa. If you choose to have both sofa and pillows patterned, let the patterns be similar, but have the cushion patterns in bigger prints.
Invest in different sets of cushion cases to create different moods. Have bright cases for the cold weather months, like reds, oranges, yellows to lend visual warmth and blues and greens to lend coolness to the overall effect. Silky shinny cushions give a sophisticated look when you need it. Remember, the larger the cushions, the more subdued their colour should be.
In addition to giving light, lumps or bulbs can be used as accessories. Their size and shapes are important in achieving a particular desirable effect. A crystal chandelier style best works in a formal setting. In a small room, use small lighting fixtures which take little physical and visual space. Use bulbs that give light which conforms to the mood of your living room. Soft neutral light is advisable. This is especially if the room is also used for entertainment, relaxation, TV-watching or dining.
You can also use several wall hangings arranged together to create the focal point of the room. Have a variety of them in terms of form, size and shape. Leave small space between them for them to appear as a group.
The writer is an
interior design student