"Accessorizing is the finishing touch to every décor. You wouldn’t buy a new outfit and forget the shoes, right? Of course not! Accessorizing your home is no different, but where do you start?
Just follow these basic ideas, and you’ll be amazed at how simple – and rewarding – the process can be.
1. Avoid the clutter.
We all have things we collect, things we thought we couldn’t live without and things we received as gifts throughout the years. But trying to display them all can be disastrous. I encourage my clients to put all their “stuff” in a pile and, one-by-one, place it back in the room. Experiment with finding new homes for each piece and store leftover treasures to later be rotated out of hiding. You’ll be amazed at how much more you’ll enjoy each piece.
2. Think large.
Often times, one good sized accessory is all you need. I find that most people own a lot of small accessories, but are afraid to purchase that one bold item. Think about a large tray on a cocktail table, or a pair of tall vases filled with budding branches on the mantel.
3. Do the unexpected.
Create an "Aha!" reaction by using your accessories in unexpected ways: a hurricane candle holder can be filled with exotic potpourri or sea biscuits, and clear, unique-shaped bowls can become homes for your candles, with room to surround them with glass stones– Aha! Let berries or driftwood peak out of lidded boxes. Use old drapery tiebacks to cinch pillows, giving them an entirely new look.
4. Invest in the best.
Just because an accessory is a bargain doesn’t mean it can do the job. Resist the urge to buy something because it’s a good deal and instead save your investment for that one, special piece. Think of it as another piece of furniture in the room, one that will be around as long as the end table. It will make it easier to make the purchase, and you won’t be replacing it every time you find another bargain.
5. Experiment until it feels right.
Because there is no standardized formula for accessorizing, don’t be afraid to arrange and rearrange until your heart says, “Oh, good!” Sometimes it’s about balance, sometimes it’s about scale, but when it works, you will know it.
6. Take a picture.
I find that photos can reveal things my eyes completely miss. Take a picture of the space and study the image to see where the dull spots are, or what areas are too busy. A picture is worth a thousand words – or dollars.
