Choosing just the right accessory can really set off the look you have created within a space but it is important to get it right otherwise it will be lost against its background or look out of place.
When styling your home, you want to create a careful balance between an interior design that is easy on the eye and has the overall effect of creating the look you are striving for and bringing in one or two items of interest that will catch the attention and set your whole room off.
In many ways these eye-catching accessories are more important than your background style. They will form a focal point for your space and highlight the wonderful area you have created.
Think About Size
The first consideration when seeking an eye-catching accessory is size. It is important not to choose something that is overwhelming and will dominate your room to the detriment of everything else in it.
Think about where you will place your accessory then consider how large it needs to be. A vivid painting, in rich oranges and pinks, for example, might be just the right hanging for a room that has been decorated in warm creams and delicate sandy shades.
But ensure it adds no more than an accent on the wall. If you choose an enormous canvas or print that really fills one side of your space, it will kill everything else that is next to it.
Contrast is Vital
For an accessory to really be eye-catching in a room it needs to contrast. This may well be in colour but it can also be in shape and texture as well. When choosing a contrasting colour, tread very carefully. Ensure your accessory does not clash so badly with the rest of the environment that it simply looks out of place.
Try selecting something in a darker shade to the rest of the room, this will allow it to stand out while also blending in. Or choose a piece that is of the same depth of colour or in a complementary shade or combination of shades.
Think of Texture
Opting for an accessory of a different texture to the rest of the space can really make a statement. If you have a minimal room with lots of clean lines and a hard floor, try a thick, shaggy rug in a complementary colour. This will be eye-catching and will give the space a fabulous edge.
Alternatively, you may have a room with a deep pile carpet and a wonderful, squashy sofa in it. Bring in some sharp contrast through a mirrored sideboard or glass table with attention grabbing flat, shiny surfaces.
Success Through Shapes
Picking out an accessory with an interesting shape will always ensure it attracts the eye when set against a much plainer background. This is when it might be worth splashing out on that very individual designer piece. Choosing just one chair, standard light or small table that really stands out in its design can be a very good move.
Alternatively, surf the net or trawl the high street and bargain stores to see if you can come up with something cheap but different. Possibilities might be floor level rockers, unusual plant pots or distinct table lights.
Function as Well as Aesthetics
Accessories can often be eye-catching if they have an interesting function as well as being exciting to look at. Take a light that throws a distinctive glow, for example, an unusual clock or even a particularly stunning fire or wood-burner.
Once again, it is a case of creating a space in which this accessory can really set the room off. It should be able to stand on its own as a dramatic piece yet also bring style to the whole area.
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