Home décor accessories can help you personalize a space in line with your individual taste. For all the hard work you plan to undertake, the outcome is a well-deserved reward for your time and planning: you get to fashion a room and space that means home to you. You can shape up reflections of your ideas and add your personal art and colors in a manner that appeals to you.
This guide aims to highlight the finer aspects of home décor to help you decide on the starting points of a space and where to look for the special effects.
Some popular home décor accessories include:
Area Rugs
You can break any neutral color scheme with rugs, and they also make an interesting focal point in any space. Get a realistic picture of the foot traffic before you decide on a type of rug. Also, measure the area you wish to cover; you can also use rugs to divide a space. For instance, you can have rugs in your living area, smaller dimensions for the coffee area, and bigger ones to cover the rest of the space. The theme can be complementary, or contrasting to add a punch.
Normally, designer décor accessories are accent pieces for your overall room and should be used carefully. The accent colors should be repeated at least thrice in the room to balance and highlight. The time you have on hand will help you decide on the time you can devote for maintenance of a rug. So get a real picture. Following are a few popular rug types:
Manmade fibers: Synthetic materials such as acrylic, polypropylene, olefin and nylon can be used in heavy foot traffic zones, as they are easy to clean and are relatively cheaper.
Wool rugs: You can purchase woolen rugs in different patterns, colors and prices. Handmade rugs and carpets are some of the most popular home décor accessories to add a desired touch of class and sophistication to any room, but they are more expensive. The quality depends on the wool used and knots per square inch to determine the finesse. You can also find machine-made rugs in modern patterns that are comparatively cheap. Almost all good quality rugs come with a care manual.
Cotton rugs: Light and easy to clean, cotton rugs or durries are popular for their combination of motifs and warm color tones. They are easy to maintain and can be washed with ease, though they are not as durable as woolen or synthetic rugs.
Jute rugs: An aesthetic fiber, jute rugs look natural and appealing in most spaces. However, they are not easy to maintain and may fade over a period of time. The fiber is weak and needs to be protected from long exposure to moisture, so don’t use these rugs in kitchens or bathrooms.
Sisal rugs: Another popular choice, sisal rugs are durable as compared with jute rugs. Sisal is most ideal for high-traffic areas like the living room, entrance lobbies and the like.
Fireplace Accessories: Candles and Candle Holders
A creative décor accessory, candles can warm up a room easily and tastefully. Above the fireplace, and on the mantel and side tables, you can add different shapes and lengths of candles arranged in different holders to add an artistic accent to the living room. Fireplaces are the focal point for most homes and you can highlight the area with a variety of accessories like picture frames, candles and family memoirs. Scented candles also do wonders to any room and help you relax. You get candle holders in different material and interesting shapes, right from classy silver candle stands for formal look, to glass, crystal, wood and brass stands that look warm and inviting.
Picture frames
You can add drama to any wall and room with carefully framed pictures. Change the feel of a place from formal to warm and casual with a frame. Usually, gold frames bestow a room with a formal appeal and sophistication. For a rustic feel that goes with a cottage or country theme, you can use wooden frames that look unfinished. For a modern touch, try lacquered frames in bold colors that complement a room’s theme. Pictures can add a personal and artistic element to a wall, mantel or table. You can frame your artwork and also display a collage of art for larger wall space. It is important to hang or arrange a frame at average eye level.
Vases and Bowls
Vases and bowls are two of the most common décor items and carry great power to transform the way a room looks if you choose the right color, size and shape for a space. To break the monotony and to add a resting eye place, vases should be refreshing, complementing the overall décor theme. Easily used to break a neutral color scheme, you can get bold with a contrast, or get even with a complementary color and shape. Ceramic, crystal, metal and even glass vases and bowls can spice up a décor.
Clocks
A clock isn’t just a routine item for a home. Apart from the vintage value of grandfather clocks, you can dictate your personal style with these timeless classics. Get creative and hang clocks in dining areas, kitchen and lobbies to add a personal statement to any space. Now you get clocks in every imaginable style and a wide array of contemporary designs. Then there are hand-painted clocks with intricate woodwork, which offer a great combination of style and sophistication.
Lights
One of the most dramatic home décor accessories, you can play with lights to lift up or fashion moods from the scratch. Lights can be used to create a desired ambience throughout the home.
Floor lamps: Use floor lamps in different shapes and sizes to enhance the aesthetics of a room.
Table lamps: Use table lamps to light your living room, study area, bedrooms, dining room, and family room and entrance lobby.
Desk lamps: Desk lamps are typically 12 inches to 20 inches high and are used to light a specific work area.
Pillows
Bed pillows or throw pillows are an important furnishing item. A throw pillow in complementary shades or a combination of shades can create an interesting focal point in a room. For regular bed pillows, there are a wide variety that allow your groggy head to get a restful sleep every night. It is worthwhile to invest in a good pillow. Some general guidelines for buying lasting pillows:
a) As a general rule, you should try to replace a pillow every six month to two years
b) The life of a pillow depends on the material it has inside. Check with the manufacturer to learn about the quality and normal life span of the pillow.
c) You can test a pillow to see if it is in shape by place the pillow on a flat surface and folding it in half. Put a shoe on the top. If the shoe bounces away and the pillow regains its original shape, your pillow is in good shape. If the shoe stays, it probably has lived its life and it’s time to change.
Before you buy, do not forget to:
• Inquire about the material used for the filling. If it is a down pillow, you can be assured of its softness and warmth.
• Buckwheat hulls are another natural filling that are considered resistant to breakage and weathering.
• Memory foam pillows, also known as contour pillows, are great as well. Made by mixing different chemicals, they are resilient and provide complete support to the neck and head for a restful sleep.
• Hypoallergenic pillows are made with materials that minimize the possibility of allergic reactions.
• Body pillows are long ones designed to reach from your feet to your head.
