Accessories--The Key Ingredient

In the process of setting up my home design office, I came across the handouts I created for the design workshops I conducted in my store.

As I looked through the files, I found a handout for a workshop entitled The Ten Decorative Accessories Every Home Needs. This was one of my most popular workshops, and reading through the material reminded me just how important accessories are to the overall feel of a room.

via My Home Ideas

With the re-decorating of my master bedroom in full swing, I know I need to accessorize the right way, in order to achieve the look and feel I want. So, as a friendly reminder to myself, and a bit of inspiration for you, here is a condensed version of my workshop….

THE TEN DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES EVERY HOME NEEDS!

Just like a recipe, every design plan has key ingredients that are needed to make a complete design statement. Without these key ingredients, the recipe or design of your room will not hold together. While not every room in your home will incorporate the essential accessory items, most should!

1. Picture Frames–Whether you hang them on the wall or use them on tabletop surfaces, frames are a great way to personalize a space. As a general rule of thumb, I always like to use frames of the same color, but vary the shapes and sizes for visual interest. Uniformity of color will give your photo arrangements more impact.

via Easy Peasy Chic

2. Baskets–Nothing breaks up the flow of a well designed space more than clutter. And, baskets are a great way to contain clutter. Use baskets to hold the things you use on a daily basis, while providing a decorative statement and a touch of texture to your space.

via My Home Ideas

I must admit, I am the basket queen. I use them in every room, and especially like lidded styles so my “stuff” is hidden.

via Inspiring Interiors

3. Greenery–It doesn’t matter whether you are a “faux” or “real” greenery person as long as you use greenery as a decorative element when you decorate. Not only does greenery provide an element of nature, but it also provides visual softness to a space. And remember, if you’re not a plant persons, flowers can substitute for greenery any day.

Cottage Living via Cozy Cottage Cute

4. Books–The wonder accessory! Books are such an easy, practical and stylish way to accessorize your home. I love the personality that books add to a room and the subtle structure they can give to a bookshelf or tabletop. Stack ’em high or stack ’em love, leave them raw or cover them in a beautiful paper!

Books also serve as the perfect riser upon which to display a decorative object.

via Tobi Fariley

via All Things Home

5. Pillows–One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to add style to your bed or furnishings is via pillows. When decorating with pillows, grouping different shapes, patterns and/or textures will provide the most visual impact.

Coastal Living via My Home Ideas

via Trendszine

Elle Decor via Decor Pad

Quick tip: If you sew and want to make pillows quick, try using decorative dinner napkins as your shell. They are already square and many measure 12″ x 12″ , the perfect size for a small accent pillow.

6. Blankets & Throws–The perfect layering element. To really make a room come to life, you need to incorporate layers throughout the space. A throw draped over a sofa back or chair arm is a great way to add layers within your decor. Use a bold accent color or one that has a wonderful texture to bring your space to life.

Check out the pattern mixing going on in this room…Lovely!

7. Artwork–Every home needs wall decor/artwork to give a sense of personalization and visual interest for the eye. To achieve a stylish and eclectic look, mix traditional framed art with 3-dimensional wall decor or mirrors.

via Decor Pad

8. A Unique Furniture Piece—While most rooms have a defined style, every room needs an unexpected element to make it stand out. A unique piece of furniture (the shape, the color, the material) will give your space character and sass!

I love the use of oversized accent tables as night stands in a bedroom.

via House Beautiful

9. Candles–Candles are luxurious, provide ambience, add light, infuse scent and are mood enhancing. Using scented candles in your home will engage all your senses and create a feeling of relaxation.

via Coastal Living

10. Great Lighting–Nothing makes a room feel sad more than a lack of lighting or the wrong lighting. When it comes to decorating, position lights in three corners of the room, so that the space can function well and provides a warm wash of light over the entire space. And, don’t think your light fixtures all have to match–mixing styles will make your room feel more vibrant and stylized.