5 Tips for Creating a Room with Character
Your Walls Need Jewelry
Your walls are a super place to add pizzazz.
Art can tell a beautiful story and reflect who you are. Bold and colorful modern art, handmade weavings from your best vacation, gorgeous mirrors - there are so many options. If you have older pieces of wall art that are no longer inspiring you, say goodbye to every single one.
And good news! Art selection doesn't have to be complicated. Find pieces that make you feel good things. We believe art is about evoking emotion and meaning.
Where can you find art?
online (try minted.com or affordableartfair.com)
heirlooms or treasures in your home
handmade markets, like Etsy
local independent art galleries
Don’t Forget Window Candy
Real talk: You need window treatments. You really, really need them.
Bare windows can look unfinished and a bit blah. Don't miss this great place to add character - colors, textures, and prints. You can do rich velvet, airy light prints, custom roman shades, etc. Pick bold prints that stand out as the featured element of the room or maybe the trending monochromatic look where the panel fabric matches the wall paint.
You have many options my friend. The big brands have good selections - Pottery Barn, West Elm, Ballard, Anthropologie are wonderful places to look. A designer can give you access to custom panels made from a fabric you choose (and fabric shopping is better than all other shopping, so fun).
A tip: when using panels, hang them high and outside your windows to enhance the scale.
Rugs? Yes, please
Rugs do so much heavy lifting in a space. You need rugs no matter what kind of flooring you have. They almost always work to bring a room together.
Here are the benefits:
define a space visually
break up a large or odd shaped room
protect floors in high traffic areas
tie your color palette together
add texture with woven elements
add interest to carpet
Un-clutter Surfaces
When thinking about accessories, go for bigger pieces and fewer of them. You want variety in size of course, but small things on shelves look like clutter. This goes for shelves, bookcases, tabletops, etc.
Think about large vases, big books, sculptures that are larger than a Revlon volumizing brush (thank you for that gift, universe).
Play with scale but err toward paring down for a more polished space with personality.
Incorporate Statement Pieces
Select a couple of statement pieces for a room. I mean pieces that standout. Pay a little more or look a little longer for pieces that are unexpected or out of the ordinary. Maybe they look high-end or rare or remind you of your favorite resort. They don't look like something you've seen at your neighbor's house. Rooms in catalogs are beautiful, but they can lack soul. Curate from vintage stores, feature your favorite vase from Budapest, buy that loud lamp that might be crazy or might be perfection.
You've Got This!
If you like the ideas here and would like some help bringing them all together, click on the button below to schedule a complimentary discovery call with Social Swan Decor. I wish you inspiration as you reimagine your spaces into something special and beautiful!
