Interior Decorating Finishing Touches

No room is complete without art or decorative accessories. These finishing touches are a great way to give your room individuality and uniqueness by reflecting your personality and interests. Here are some tips for adding some finishing touches to your space.

Art
Art can be in the form of paintings, framed prints, photos, or sculptures and is one of the most versatile accessories. It should be in proportion with the wall space and the objects around it. Feature a large painting or a large group of smaller paintings or prints over a large sofa. Use the same concept for art hung over tables. If a framed piece is too small, it will lose its impact and seem insignificant. Likewise, a piece that’s to large will feel overwhelming and crowded.

When hanging groups of art, leave equal spacing between frames – usually 1 1/2" to 2".

When creating groupings of different sized pieces, use different frames, but unify with the same color matting. When hanging these groupings, play around with layout on the floor first.

When framing art with a mat, leave a minimum of 2 1/2" to 3" of matting around the art so it visually pops from the frame. For even more impact, leave more space - 6" or so - between the frame and the art.

Group family photos in one place rather than scattered around the room. Use different frames in the same finish to create an interesting yet unified group.

The biggest mistake when hanging art is that it’s hung too high. A general rule of thumb is that art should be hung at eye level.

Accessories
Decorative accessories can be in the form of found objects, collectibles, vases, books, candlesticks and pottery. They can add color, personality and interest to a space. Here are some tips on selecting and arranging your accessories.

Grouping objects rather than scattering items around the room has more visual impact. Groupings should vary in height and size.

Choose items that share a color, motif or shape that appears in other objects in the room to create a grouping.

Instead of placing items in a straight line, try staggering pieces. A group of three candlesticks looks better arranged in a triangle rather than all in a row.

When arranging objects let them visually touch or overlap. If they are spaced to far apart they won’t feel like part of a grouping.

Unless you're creating a symmetrical display, create groups using an odd number of objects, such as three, five, or seven items.

Web Resources

• Tips on Arranging Accessories from BHG
  Better Homes and Gardens offers 11 great tips for arranging your accessories and collections.
• Mirrors 101 from MyHomeIdeas.com
  Everything you need to know about decorating with mirrors, including tips on placement and how to hang them.
• How to Hand Wall Decor 101 from Ballard Designs
  A very thorough guide on how to hang wall art, including tips on placement, arranging groupings, and even hanging instructions for different types of walls.
• 8 Tips for Making Beautiful Vignettes from HGTV
  Pull your room together with these tips for arranging accessories into a beautiful still life.