I have always been of the belief that most people can manage the task of picking out the large furniture pieces needed to decorate their home, but struggle when it comes to adding the finishing touches that make the home come to life.

After seeing lots of homes that lack those finishing touches, I developed a workshop that I taught in my store, entitled “Accessorizing The Five Impact Areas of Your Home”.  The workshop focused on the key areas that need accessories and how best to accessorize those areas. 

Recently, I’ve received several emails from readers with questions related to accessorizing your home, so  I thought I share my workshop tips with you.  Whether you’re just starting out accessorizing your home, or are in the midst of getting it all together, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

Tabletops

• Consider how the surface area will be use–do you need open areas to complete a specific task or is the area for decorative display only?
• Analyze the theme of the room and add accessories that tie into that theme
• Use color and pattern to unify the accessory arrangement
• Create a focal point within your accessory groupings–make sure the one element grabs the eye first
• Vary the heights, textures and materials within your accessory groupings for visual interest and personality
• Use greenery or flowers to add softness

Using trays to hold a collection of accessories is a great way to add impact to a coffee table surface

In this arrangement, the lamp and flower provide equal balance & the purple vase adds that eye-catching pop of color.

And, don’t forget to accessorize under the table as well!

Mantles

• Determine your decorating style–Formal styles tend to work best with Symmetrical arrangements (identical elements on each side), and casual styles often work with best Asymmetrical arrangements (different elements on each side, but they balance each other)
• Hang mirrors or artwork 5 to 8 inches above the mantle–you don’t want the mirror hung so high that it feels disconnected with the fireplace
• If you have tall ceilings, play that up with oversized pieces or art or a mirror

Round mirrors are a great contrast within rooms that typically have lots of square or rectangular features

Laying decorative elements atop your mantle will add depth and dimension

The art grabs your attention, the collection of pieces add personality and the branches add movement and style

Dining Rooms

• Relate your decor to the style of your table and chairs
• Hang a chandelier that makes a statement and becomes the focal point of the room, and add a dimmer to control the ambience of the space
• The bottom of your chandelier should be 30″ to 36″ above the table surface
• Allow 24″ for each place setting at the table, to make sure every person has adequate room to eat and move
• Allow 32″ between the chair and the wall or furniture behind it, so that chairs can be pulled out comfortably
• When setting your table, use this trick to remember how to arrange your silverware:  RIGHT (5 letters) is where you place your KNIFE and SPOON (5 letters).  The LEFT (4 letters) is where you place your FORK (4 letters).

A non-traditional chandelier adds instant personality and style & check out the mix of patterns that create the mood.

Dark walls are a great way to bring drama and make the space feel cozy

A space with its own distinct vibe–love those yellow chairs!

Sometimes two is better than one.  What a great entertaining space.

Foyers

• Use furniture, paint or wall paper to define the space
• Add a floor treatment to give your foyer an identity
• Use mirrors to make a small foyer seem bigger
• Incorporate texture and pattern for visual interest
• Your foyer should create a dynamic first impression for your home

This painted floor draws in you and grabs your attention!  And I love the idea of a loveseat versus chairs.

 A bold mirror in a bold color–what a way to make a statement.  The teal trunk is the perfect finishing touch.

An unexpected floor treatment that really makes this foyer stand out.  And those grass cloth walls are to die for.

Wallpaper creates the frame for this simple, yet beautiful space.

Sofas and Chairs

• Pillows are like icing on the cake–they give your sofa character and make it come to life
• Down filled pillows are simply the best
• When having custom pillows made, use a contrast fabric on the back so that you make change the look when the mood strikes
• The ideal pattern mix:  Stripe, Solid, Pattern, Texture
• p.s.  Position your sofa approx. 18″ away from the coffee table so the leg room is comfortable

Bold contrast in your pillows will make the sofa pop.  The colors ties back to the furnitur and accessories within the space.

The blue from the rug and cushions in the back space are pulled forward onto the white chairs via the pillow trim.

 A mix of colorful pillows, using colors found throughout the room

When it comes to accessorizing your home, I believe the best way to make your home come to life is …

• use things you love
• use color to add energy
• variety is the spice of life–mix it up a bit
• throw in something unexpected
• reflect your personality!

Happy Decorating!

Tabletop photo source:  thefrencheye, myhomeideas (Southern Living), decorpad

Mantle photo source:  myhomeideas (Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Southern Living) 

Dining Room photo source:  myhomeideas (Southern Living, Coastal Living)

Foyer photo source:  myhomeideas, decorpad

Sofa/Chair photo source:  myhomeideas (Coastal Living, Southern Living), Tobi Fairley, decorpad

via Tobi Fairley

As one of the most used surfaces in your home, the coffee table is definitely a split-personality pieces of furniture.  Coffee tables need to be a functional work surface, a decorative display surface and often act as additional seating, among many other things.

via Casasugar

Via Elle Decor

Accessorizing is one of the things I love most about decorating, and styling a coffee table is at the top of my list.  Here are a few tips and tricks I use when decorating coffee tables:

via southerninspirations

•  Determine what Function your Coffee Table needs To Serve.  Is the table used by the kids to do homework, is it used as a foot rest or do you use your coffee table for causal meals in front of the tv?  Evaluating how your coffee table is used will help in selecting not only the type to table you need, but the type of accessories that will work best for you.

via decorpad

•  Accessorize with Scale in Mind.  I always use several items in different sizes and scale when decorating coffee tables.  You want to avoid having all the items on your table surface to be the same height or visual weight.  Combining items with different heights, width and mass will give your table more style and interest.

via country living

• Mix I Up.  When selecting items to decorate your coffee table, mix materials, finishes, and textures to give your display more interest.  I love combining a natural material like wood or woven rattan with something metallic and smooth.  Or a ceramic piece with a rustic stone or iron piece. Coffee tables are also a great spot to mix style…combine an ethnic piece with modern accessories.

  via velvet and linen

via Elle Decor, photo by Ken Hayden

• Don’t Cover Every Inch of Surface.  In most cases, leaving a bit of “breathing room” on the surface of your coffeee table will make the display feel real and natural.  Plus, you’ll have room to place functional items like remotes, drinkware or magazines.

via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, photo by Erica Geroges Dine

• Select a Focal Item.  This is where scale really comes into play.  You want one of the elements on your coffee table to be dominate.  Maybe it’s an oversized vase or a larger decorative box….whatever the item, you want there to be a place for the eye to land when it takes in the coffee table decor.

via House Beautiful, photo by Julian Wass

• Use Coffee Table Books.  Books are one of the most versatile decorative elements to dress your coffee table with.  Not only do books add depth and dimension, but the surface can be used as display space for a smaller decorative item, giving them more impact and presence.

via House Beautiful, photo by Jose Picayo

 via Elle Decor, photo by Simon Upton

• Add Ambience with Candles.  I love incorporating a candle into my coffee table decor.  Whether you go with a glass hurricane or a smaller candle container, candles give your table decor a sense of comfort.

via Barclay Butera

And lastly,

• Use Trays for Function and Style.  Trays of all types are the perfect layering element for coffee table decor.  Place your decorative elements atop a tray and you can easily remove it when the entire table surface space is needed.  And, it your coffee table happens to be a fabric covered ottoman, or even an old army cot like the photo below, trays provide the hard surface you need to make the coffee table function well.

 via martha stewart

via Lonny Magazine

 via Pottery Barn

If you need a bit more inspiration, take a look at this lovely photos.

via Elle Decor, photo by William Waldron

via House Beautiful

via House Beautiful, photo by Eric Pissecki

via House Beautiful, photo by Jeremy Samuelson

via House Beautiful, photo by Ngoo Minh Ngo

via House Beautiful, phot by John M Hall

via House Beautiful, photo by Jose Picayo

Tobi Fairley, via apartmenttherapy

Ralph Lauren, via decorpad

 viafavoriteandmybest