When it comes to styling a room or an outfit, accessories can make all the difference. Accessories can add a touch of culture, color, and personality to an interior design or fashion look. But how do you know how to arrange your favorite accessories and create a pleasing, balanced aesthetic? Here are some tips for arranging all kinds of accessories.
Organize Accessories By Color
One of the classic tricks for styling a room with accessories is to organize them by color. This creates a unified and harmonious look, while still allowing your various colors to stand out. Choose colors that complement one another like green, blue and yellow, or add a touch of contrast with colors like red and white. If you’re styling an outfit, consider mixing colors according to trends and classic pieces, such as white and black, or grey and pink.
Choose a Focal Point
When it comes to accessorizing, it’s important to have a main focal point—something that will draw the eyes and stand out from the rest of the décor. This can be a centralized painting, houseplant, or furniture item. Place statues, bowls and baskets around the focal point and add candles, books, or decorations to fill in the empty space.
Layer Accessories Strategically
Layering is a great way to give a room or outfit character and dimension, but it’s important to do it strategically. To create visual interest, layer larger items with smaller items, trying different heights and textures. A great place to start is by adding a few sculptures, paintings or books and then adding smaller items on top, such as candles, vases and flowers.
Mix Different Textures and Materials
Mixing materials can add texture and element to an interior or fashion style. Try combining different metal finishes, such as brass with gold, or pairing gems and crystals, wood and metal. When styling a room with accessories, try placing wood vases on metal shelves, decorative mirrors and ceramics for a modern and sophisticated style.
Arrange Accessories in Unexpected Ways
When accessorizing, think outside the box and try to experiment with unexpected arrangements. Take traditional styling ideas and mix them up. Try creating stairs with furniture and adding contrasting shapes and sizes, such as a brass candle holder in the shape of a bird, or a metal bowl in the shape of a fish. Place animal-shaped planters and quirky candlesticks in unlikely places like shelves and mantels.
Group Accessories in Threes
Grouping items in threes is an old but effective design trick. When arranging your accessories, try numbers that represent the rule of three, such as vases or plants in a row, or three levels of books on the shelf. Symmetry is also pleasing to the eye, so consider using three matching items, such as similar-sized figurines, paintings at the same height or a bowl with two complementary vases.
Choose Accessories With a Story
Accessorizing is all about telling a story. Choose pieces that reflect your style, culture and interests. Try adding pieces with a story, such as antique vases, crystal glassware, or vintage books. Natural items like houseplants, shells and stones can also add unexpected character and charm.
Symmetry and Balance
Asymmetry can be an interesting choice when accessorizing, but keeping things balanced is easiest way to achieve a pleasing look. Try mirroring the accessories on either side of the room to bring symmetry and cohesion. Try to divide the space evenly, for example, keeping one side for furniture and another for bookshelves, or try keeping the accessories in the center of the room to balance out the design.
Bring It All Together
Now that you’ve gathered your accessories and learned how to arrange them, it’s time to bring it all together. Think of your decorations as one big, harmonious whole. Consider the more common elements, including furniture, color and patterns, and bringing out the unique, personal items like art and archives. Place accessories strategically and don’t forget about wall art. Finally, feel free to experiment and use your own style as inspiration.
With the right tips and tricks, you can easily pick and arrange accessories to create beautiful design that’s full of your personal style. Remember to consider composition, color, focal points, materials and textures when planning the design. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with unique items, shapes, layering and unexpected arrangements. Most importantly, have fun and make your interior or fashion style truly your own.