What are accessories, and do you really need them to complete the look of your home?

In a word, YES!

Accessories are the finishing touches of color, texture and/or shape that impact your decor. Their role is important - they should reflect your style while effortlessly pulling your other décor selections together. To fully appreciate their impact, let's consider other examples of things that require a final layer. Can you picture:

• a cake without its frosting?
• a gift without the wrapping? -or, a little black dress without the right jewelry?

Of course not! There's a reason for the phrase "the devil is in the details".

When starting the design process, it's important to set aside a portion of your budget specifically for these elements. A error that I've encountered often is someone who goes all out with their planning and selections early on in the process, only to run out of steam (and finances) to fully complete the space!

Accounting for accessories from the very beginning will ensure you to stay on track along the way. Great accessorizing, just like the décor process itself, should follow some specific steps. It's really about layering. Just as you put on the dress before the shoes, or wrap the gift before attaching the card, ensure that all renovations and core selections like paint, lighting fixtures and flooring have been completed and installed.

Next, review your space, furnishings and drapery, and consider where you may need a little extra something. Accent furnishings such as side tables, task lighting like lamps, sofa cushions and artwork are what I consider functional accessories. Browse for items that are fun, fresh and work with your style. They can be bold or subtle, but always work within the palette of the room.

Refer to your floor plan, and be mindful of access points like doorways and traffic flow when selecting accessories. 'More' is not always 'better' – you don't want to feel as though you're navigating an obstacle course just to enter a room! And consider how you would like your space to function by asking yourself questions like: 'will this room be conducive to a sitting area as well as an entertaining area from time to time?' and 'how many people would I like to seat comfortably here?'

And the last, but definitely not the least layer in the cake of design: the final accessories. These are the items that transform "a" space into "your" space! Think family photos, mementos, even a place setting of Grandma's fine china. While these items may seem random or insignificant on their own, properly showcasing them can make their personality 'pop' and your space come alive.

A professional can help with selecting and styling your accessories to achieve the maximum impact. I often work to incorporate a client's own personal items into a particular space, perhaps by creating a grouping with similar objects and colours. I've also used accessories to help define an area - introducing an ottoman or bench seating near the front door to define a foyer, or a sofa table and lamps to visually separate a living room from a dining room.

The best way to accomplish your design goals is by treating each phase of the decorating process equally. Accessories cannot be overlooked or treated as an after thought - they truly can make or break the look and feel of your home.

For more information on how to achieve your design goals, and about our services, please visit our website at www.decorbyjennifer.com And be sure to subscribe to our new on-line magazine! Image from http://www.decorbyjennifer.com/folio-of-finishes.html