If you’re looking to totally transform a room from the top down, or simply looking to find out what a room’s particular style is, it’s important not to get blinded by the decor choices that are already there.
There are a few key choices that can determine the style of any room, and building the rest of your aesthetic on these staples can make decorating a lot easier. Here are four that you should consider before anything else.
Walls Set The Visual Tone
One of the most defining visual elements of any room, the colour, texture, and trappings of your walls can deeply influence the mood and look of any room. Of course, they are also one of the most adaptable parts of the room, as well, whether you want to paint them in a muted neutral to bring a sense of calm to the space, or patterned wallpaper to make it a bit more dynamic or dramatic.
Accent walls and paneling add depth and personality. Don’t forget wall art, as your choice of the right pieces can do a lot to showcase your individual tastes.
Flooring Grounds The Space
The foundation of the room, both in fact and visually, the room is what anchors the design and defines its style. Of course, it plays a big role in the comfort and practicality of the home, as carpets can help it stay warm and cosy, while hardwood floors might be better suited for family spaces with their classic charm. Durability, function, and aesthetics are all important considerations to ensure that your floors fit the space.
Your Windows Define The Ambience
Windows are more than just a way to let light into the room; they tend to frame the space in total, as well. Your choice of curtains, blinds, or shades determines how much light gets into the room, and otherwise adds to its texture, colour palette, and atmosphere.
Window treatments can also be swapped or layered, often with the change of the seasons, to make sure that the room can be either as airy or cosy as it needs to be. They can even affect the dimensions of the room, such as how floor-to-ceiling curtains can make ceilings feel taller, while layered treatments offer both flexibility and depth.
Lighting Fills The Whole Space
When you’re looking at your lighting, you should look beyond the natural light from your window treatments (though they are important, as well). Layering your lightning can do a lot to set the tone for the whole room.
Ambient lighting, such as ceiling fixtures, adds general visibility, while task lighting, like desk lamps, adds focus, and accent lighting, like wall sconces, can not only add a general sense of warmth or brightness but also draw attention to decorative or architectural features.
Of course, if you have a particular look or mood in mind, you don’t necessarily have to rely on these staples alone. However, it’s always good to at least consider them to make sure none of your additions clash with the look that’s already there.
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