Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Home décor accessories run the gamut from mirrors in an entry to those cute little knick-knacks on side tables. The problem with accessories comes in when it seems more is more, rather than less is more, and you can't enjoy the pieces for themselves because there is just too much stuff.
As a tip, when adding an accessory to a room that is already accessorized, remove one other item. You don't have to get rid of it, but store it and bring it out in six months or a year for a fresh look, or find a new home for it in another room (but remember, if you do that, you should remove one item from that room).
Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Some items that fall into the accessory category are:
- Florals/Greenery
- Mirrors
- Art
- Pillows
- Throws
- Vases
- Statues/figurines
- Picture frames
- Books
- Decorative bowls
- Decorative plates
- Small footstools
- Candy dishes
- Clocks
- Trays
- Plaques
Accessories should work with the décor that you already have going on in the room. They also allow us to express our personality in a room that is basically a box with furniture in it.
Accessories tend to look better visually when grouped in odd numbers; usually threes. However, if you decorate in a traditional sense, and prefer things to be symmetrical, you will be more apt to prefer, for example, a pair of candlesticks at each end of a mantel rather than three grouped together at one end.
Photo courtesy of World Market
Accessories can also be used to tie in the colors or patterns used in other rooms in your home. For instance, if you use red towels in your kitchen you can transfer that red to pillows in your living room, a throw in the family room and cushions in your dining room.
Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
Ultimately, the accessories you choose to use in your home should reflect you and your family. Items that have meaning to you, that you love, that bring back a memory are some of the things that make your home a home.
Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions
Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are based on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign and more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for more information on our services and fees.
Nice simple primer for the do it yourself decorator which includes us all.
Remove one item when you add an item??? Where would I put it???? Store them??? Then no one would see them.
That's the difference between a decorator and a home owner. The decorator can be objective. The home owner can't.
Morning Kathy, This reminds me I haven't gotten my Ballard catalog for some time now, funny considering they are here in GA. I love the clocks, they have a great selection.
That 'Queen Bee' pillow is very cute. Nice post, I always rotate my accessories to give the place a fresh new look! I'm in the middle of doing that right now.
Lenn ~ Thank you! Yes, exactly - store it. Put it away for a little while. I've done this and when I take the item out again, I appreciate it more. Certain items you wouldn't do that for - personal photos, florals might not be a good idea, a family heirloom.
Cynthia ~ I love Ballard Designs! It is one of my favorite catalogs to get. I'm getting that itch myself and recently moved some pictures around to different rooms.
Hi Kathy,
I always look forward to the next post in your series. Keep up the great work. Love that "Queen Bee" pillow too !
2 words, Kathy.....REAL FLOWERS!
Thanks
Bo
Sandi ~ Thank you for being such a supporter of this series! I like all those pillows!
Bo ~ I'm with you - whenever I can have real flowers in a room I do. I've been looking at the pussy willows and forsythia branches lately.
Kathy, Accessories do reflect who you are, what an excellent point. Mine don't always go with the general decor but they are me :) And I love real flowers as well...usually have them on my kitchen table.
Accessories help bring a house to 'life' and make it 'home.' I can't imagine living without them! I like the example of the three white vases. I've been picking up iridescent milk glass pieces during the past few years. They look great grouped in three's.
Thanks Carole!
Vivian ~ The milk glass pieces must be lovely. I like the simplicity of the vases I pictured.
Hi Kathy...I've been on AR with little lately so am hoping to catch up (even though I know that is impossible) and I can't think of a better way to get started than by reading your series.
We have so many personal, framed photos that we have received from our children that we end up with too many packed up and that makes me feel bad. I have a habit of giving them as gifts also so our whole family has the same overload.
Kate
Kate ~ Thank you for starting your catch-up with me! I had the same problem, especially with the pictures of my kids, nieces and nephews, etc. I started to put the updated pictures in the frames rather than keeping a picture for every age (unless, of course, it was an absolute favorite!). Those then went into albums, but now with digital cameras, I keep most of them on my computer "albums".
Your posts are always filled with inspiring ideas Kathy! Many could benefit from following your direction to remove one item if they are adding an accessory to a room. Easy to just keep adding.
Michele ~ Thank you! My own accessories are at the bare minimum at the moment! I hope to keep a simplistic view toward accessorizing when we move, too.