Scale is an important part of interior design principles and a great way to get the much desired WOW factor in any space. I always say...
'What you want is on the other side of fear'
If you don't experiment a little with scale, accessories that pack some punch and of course colour...it is likely that you do suffer from the dreaded 'bland' decor problem.
If your house is lacking punch, personality or panache, it’s time to throw out the rule book and use scale and colour to your advantage. An over-sized feature – whether it be lighting, an accessory or artwork – not only becomes a room’s focal point (and every room needs a focal point to avoid looking bland, but also dishes up a big serving of smile-inducing delight to anyone who walks in. Here's a few ideas to get you rolling....
1. Lighting A giant, custom-made pendant in contemporary stripes adds drama to this otherwise sedate space. Without it, the room risks looking old-fashioned, and it would be sorely in need of a focal point. TIP: Using an over-sized pendant over a dining table in an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area helps define it as a separate zone. A rug beneath the dining table also helps.
TIP: Adding floor and table lamps in living and dining areas achieves warm and welcoming evening ambiance. Choose warm white light bulbs for living areas and bedrooms, and cool white for bathrooms, kitchens and laundries where you need a practical light source.
2. Art A giant artwork is a safe bet when an expanse of wall needs filling – it’s hard to get this wrong. Big, bold, beautiful art can become the hero piece and ultimate focal point of a room, and is an easy way to inject colour and personality.
3. Seating areas Too often, window seats add a decorative touch to a room but fail to be very useful – no one sits there, in other words. A giant window seat like this one, on the other hand, is simply irresistible. Pile up the cushions and make sure the seat cushion is thick and comfortable; more than one family member is likely to choose this as their favorite place. TIP: When you add lined, block-out Roman blinds, the window seat is likely to be a popular lounging spot when the sun goes down too.
4. Accessories - be quirky Seeing something you don't expect to see when you walk into someone’s home - its an element of surprise, that brings a grin to guests’ faces the minute they arrive. Adding a quirky element is sometimes the best move you can make in a room lacking a certain something to make it really sing.
Don't forget you can take them with you when you move and rooms can be interchanged. A feature that you may have used in the living room can be adapted to suit a bedroom when you want a change so don't resist buying character elements because you're worried about getting sick of them - just buy what you REALLY love!
TIP: Adding a mirror is a well-known technique to enhance the sense of space in a room. If you’re going to do it, why not go all the way? An over-sized mirror will double the perceived size of any room.
5. Rugs Soft and plush, textured or flat, rugs add that finishing touch every living room needs. Bigger is almost always better when it comes to rugs no matter if its in the living room or the bedroom, as long as there’s about 20 centimeters between the edge of the rug and any consoles, entertainment units or other furniture aside from sofas sitting against a wall.
Rug too small is a very common error that I see quite often when I'm doing consultations. make sure that your rug is under the legs of the sofa and fills the room while adding texture or pattern. Its an opportunity not to be missed!
Big rugs make rooms feel super cozy and luxurious and will help with acoustics too.
6. Bedheads Over-sized upholstered bedheads give bedrooms a luxury lift. For a high-end look, choose a quality fabric that won’t easily date and have the bedhead custom made by a professional.
7. Plants and outdoor living
Indoor plants are now a must-have in any stylish home but sometimes a space calls for a pot plant of gargantuan proportions – to separate one zone from another, for example, or when you want the plant to be able to be seen from various vantage points (upstairs and down, in this case).
In Port Macquarie our outdoor and semi outdoor spaces are very important lifestyle spaces. Don't forget how temperate our climate is and with Summer just around the corner....its a great time to create a great outdoor area for your friends and family.
If you have any other ideas or examples of how you go the WOW factor...share with me OK?