DECORATING ELEMENTS
Color
Darker reds or yellows make a room seem warm and cozy.
Use light colors (white or beige) on all furnishings for a chic scheme.
Choose rich, warm colors to make a dark room lighter.
Paint a ceiling a lighter color than walls to give it height.
Cool colors (soft blues & greens) make rooms seem larger.
White trim brightens any wall color scheme.
Deep wall colors focus attention on furniture and accessories.
In a large room, choose one color for all walls.
For a unique look, paint with colors you love.
Pattern and Texture
Use small, softly colored patterns with light backgrounds in small rooms.
Use strong, richly colored patterns in large rooms.
Strong colors provide visual balance for large areas.
It's best not to use more than one large pattern in a room.
Combine small patterns with large ones for contrast & interest.
Use solid colored upholstery in rooms filled with collected objects.
Neutral colored fabric is more interesting if it has surface texture.
Prints & checks with common colors create a playful look.
Create wall texture with faux paint & bead board.
Texture on the floors can be created with wood, tile, marble, carpeting and area rugs.
Accessorizing
Decorative knobs & pulls add style to a room.
Use candles in various sizes & shapes for ambiance.
Add personality to a room with unique light fixtures
Area rugs provide background color and balance.
Bring the outdoors in with rocks, twigs, & fresh veggies.
Use vases, baskets & trays as decorative storage items.
Update old lampshades with flowers, ribbons & buttons.
Furniture Arrangement
Arrange furniture in a comfortable, conversational position.
Use club chairs for reading in your bedroom.
Position furniture so people can easily walk across or through a room.
Combine tall & short pieces to create an inviting space.
Arrange furniture around focal points (fireplace, TV).
Add a tray to an ottoman to create an instant coffee table.
In large spaces, create more than one conversation area.
Home Styles
Mahogany & silk work well with 18th-century English style.
For English country style, choose chintz & floral fabrics, soft, plush pillows, display books & oil paintings.
For American Colonial style, mix plaid and check fabrics, use lots of woven rugs.
For formal French style, use ornate, light wood furniture, silk and brocade fabrics.
For French country style, use colorful cotton fabrics. needlepoint rugs, display groups of artistic plates.
For Southwest style, use neutral or earth-inspired colors. rustic or antique furniture, display handcrafted accessories.
For Victorian homes, mix rich color with abundant lace.
For contemporary style, choose minimal accessories, and clean, simply lined pieces.
For eclectic style, display a variety of furniture styles.
Color
Darker reds or yellows make a room seem warm and cozy.
Use light colors (white or beige) on all furnishings for a chic scheme.
Choose rich, warm colors to make a dark room lighter.
Paint a ceiling a lighter color than walls to give it height.
Cool colors (soft blues & greens) make rooms seem larger.
White trim brightens any wall color scheme.
Deep wall colors focus attention on furniture and accessories.
In a large room, choose one color for all walls.
For a unique look, paint with colors you love.
Pattern and Texture
Use small, softly colored patterns with light backgrounds in small rooms.
Use strong, richly colored patterns in large rooms.
Strong colors provide visual balance for large areas.
It's best not to use more than one large pattern in a room.
Combine small patterns with large ones for contrast & interest.
Use solid colored upholstery in rooms filled with collected objects.
Neutral colored fabric is more interesting if it has surface texture.
Prints & checks with common colors create a playful look.
Create wall texture with faux paint & bead board.
Texture on the floors can be created with wood, tile, marble, carpeting and area rugs.
Accessorizing
Decorative knobs & pulls add style to a room.
Use candles in various sizes & shapes for ambiance.
Add personality to a room with unique light fixtures
Area rugs provide background color and balance.
Bring the outdoors in with rocks, twigs, & fresh veggies.
Use vases, baskets & trays as decorative storage items.
Update old lampshades with flowers, ribbons & buttons.
Furniture Arrangement
Arrange furniture in a comfortable, conversational position.
Use club chairs for reading in your bedroom.
Position furniture so people can easily walk across or through a room.
Combine tall & short pieces to create an inviting space.
Arrange furniture around focal points (fireplace, TV).
Add a tray to an ottoman to create an instant coffee table.
In large spaces, create more than one conversation area.
Home Styles
Mahogany & silk work well with 18th-century English style.
For English country style, choose chintz & floral fabrics, soft, plush pillows, display books & oil paintings.
For American Colonial style, mix plaid and check fabrics, use lots of woven rugs.
For formal French style, use ornate, light wood furniture, silk and brocade fabrics.
For French country style, use colorful cotton fabrics. needlepoint rugs, display groups of artistic plates.
For Southwest style, use neutral or earth-inspired colors. rustic or antique furniture, display handcrafted accessories.
For Victorian homes, mix rich color with abundant lace.
For contemporary style, choose minimal accessories, and clean, simply lined pieces.
For eclectic style, display a variety of furniture styles.
