The Importance of Décor Styling
The importance of decor styling is a topic of conversation we have often. One question that many of our clients ask is, “How do you coordinate all the little details and finish the space off so well?” The answer lies in creating a careful balance between the principal components of the home (larger items or influences), with the smaller components (décor and accessories). Examples of the principal components would be the rug, couch, accent chairs, coffee tables, dining tables, paint colors and the tone/stain of the flooring and cabinetry. Examples of the smaller components would be lamps, art, table accessories, pillows, curtains, wall décor and plants. The principle components are what grounds a good design, whereas the little details are what bring a space together, and creates the “pop” in the room. We call this décor styling.
Décor styling is what creates character and interest in a space. We always strive to pick pieces and concepts that speak to the client, their lifestyle and what is most important to them. I’ll start by saying that coordinating pillows, rugs and curtains in a cohesive manner is one of the biggest ways to make a room come together. We suggest buying the rug first and then selecting pillows and curtains thereafter. The second most influential decision in décor styling is selecting the proper artwork. Especially If the client’s artwork is a priority, strategically selecting pieces of sculptures or wall artwork first throughout the home is necessary. If artwork is a priority for you, I would suggest selecting a piece first, and then basing the rest of the room off of the colors and feel of the art piece. Pay attention to the stronger tones/colors in the art piece, and also the secondary colors of the artwork. I recommend using the artwork’s secondary colors as the main color in the home such as in the wall paint color, the color of the couch, or curtains/rug.
For smaller décor pieces, if the client is a reader, stacking books on shelving and coffee tables would be appropriate. With families, we typically use a lot of picture frames to give color and personality to the home, which also allows them to display family photos. We also highly recommend adding plant life to areas. It immediately creates a homey, soft feel.
In conclusion, the best advice we can give you is to mix elements when styling. Use tall pieces mixed with foliage, books, and decorative sculptures. Use modern pieces with traditional pieces. Use bolder colors with lighter colors. Don’t be matchy-matchy. Use all different tones of color to prevent it from looking like a “model home”. Mix wood tones, and neutral colors (blacks with browns, crèmes with whites, grays with blacks, etc). Most importantly, go out on a limb, and don’t play it super safe. Our best designs have come out when we took a risk. It’s worth it! See a few examples below of how to implement décor styling.
