Magazine ready: Interior accessorising tips part 2
From colour to clutter, we discussed the very basics of interior decorating and accessorising in our previous blog. Now that those have been covered, let’s take a look at some of the rest in finishing touches, brought to you by the team at Carmelo Delia - one of the leading furniture shops in Malta.
1. Bring the outdoors in
As explored in our biophilia blog, there's something about nature that tends to invigorate us. The easiest way of bringing the beauty of nature into your home is through plants. They add (natural) colour and texture, giving your home a layered look; they also help soften angular lines, fill dead space and bring literal life to the room. Plus, no matter what colour scheme you choose for your space, plants will complement it. Other than plants, you can inject good energy into your home with organic materials, such as items made from reclaimed wood for warmth and texture, repurposed metals for accents and natural fibres for rugs, throws and other upholstery.
2. Lighting
Lighting is an easy way to add impact as long as the light fixtures you choose complement the design style of the room. Other than its obvious functional role, lighting design plays a key role in creating the right ambiance for a space. There are various types of lighting, however, it is the accent lighting - which can range from sconces to under-cabinet lights - that adds decorative elements, creates strong visual impact and highlights certain elements such as architectural features or artwork.
3. The rule of thirds
Artists, photographers and videographers will be familiar with the rule of thirds, a principle which applies to the process of composing the most visually-pleasing arrangements by avoiding placing subjects in the centre of a frame. Translating this guideline to interior design, placing accessories off-centre on tables or shelves will be ultimately more pleasing to the eye. Likewise, to create depth, avoid placing items in a straight line on shelves. Place some slightly in front, others in the back, with the tallest ones at the back – creating visual interest.
4. An odd affair
Speaking of the visually pleasing in the art of accessorising, the Greeks found that grouping objects in odd numbers is more pleasing to the eye than even ones. Placing candles, pillows and cushions in groups of 3 will create more visual interest than two as the result appears less staged, and opting for different shapes and heights will avoid a dull, matchy-matchy look.
5. Mix it up
Choose a mix of materials and textures, such as wood against metallics to create depth and contrast, while geometric patterns can really bring a space to life. Add a touch of luxury with a little bling through glass and metallics – lights will reflect off them, thus giving the illusion of bigger space.
6. Chop, chop & edit
Many fashion and interior designers stress the importance of editing. Once you think everything is done, take a step back and look at the space with an objective eye. Know when to get rid of things; don’t force yourself to find a place for every little titbit you own!
Looking for furniture shops in Malta that offer style, quality and durability?
As one of the leading furniture shops in Malta, our aim is to bring our customers’ dream space to life, which is why other than quality furniture, we also offer professional design advice. Come over to our newly-renovated showroom in Valley Road, Birkirkara, and see the wide range of furniture for yourselves.
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