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17 September 2014
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Objects displayed on a mantlepiece

Finding the right balance

There's an extremely fine line between chaos and order - too few furnishings will make a room look cold and unwelcoming, and too many knick-knacks can make a room look a mess.


The trick is to strike a balance, so that your living space looks organised and homely.

With a few simple interior design tricks, a stylish space can be easily created, where favourite items can be pleasantly displayed. There are three key ways to achieve balance and harmony in the home:

  • Tidy up - it's the most effective and cheapest way of making your home look better. Keep clutter out of sight by having adequate storage in each room. Floor to ceiling cupboards look streamlined and hide a multitude of possessions.
  • Create focal points - each room should have an interesting place for the eye to settle on. Traditionally, the focal point of the living room used to be the fire, but it is now often the TV.
  • Symmetry - balance the furniture and the displays of objects. This is especially important in the bedroom, where the view should be calm and uncluttered. This should be something that delights the eye, so separate appealing objects so that you don't have too many objects fighting for attention.

Finishing touches

Furniture placed symmetrically

When decorating, consider the room as a whole, even down to the finishing touches. By planning ahead, you'll be able to create a room that's balanced and ordered, where all the furnishings complement each other.

A few carefully co-ordinated objects will add character and individuality to a room - it's all down to how they are displayed.

Scale is important when choosing objects for a room as each item is 'framed' by its surroundings - therefore, place big objects in open surroundings (and vice versa). Another interior designer trick is to group odd numbers of objects together, such as three vases or five pictures, which often gives a better impression of balance than even numbered items.

Many of us have lots of small objects rather than one or two large pieces. Displaying the same kind of objects in a group will look better than placing them separately around the room.

Remember, less is more, so keep it simple!


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