The accessories that populate a room are rarely planned into a design scheme from the beginning, but rather they become the finishing touches that bring personality, colour, and textures into the space. Accessories are often collected over many years and can hold a great deal of personal meaning, so how they are displayed is important.
Beyond a windowsill or bookcase, there are clever ways to style and display your accessories that can make better use of your space, fill unused corners and create pockets in your home that celebrate the pieces that you treasure most.
Here are suggestions to help in styling your accessories:
Open shelving in the kitchen
Clever storage solutions will never lose favour in a kitchen, but open shelving is increasingly used to informalize the functionality of a kitchen. This also encourages keeping the shelves tidy and you can show off those copper pieces or treasured pottery you have had hidden away. The kitchen always looks bigger and less cramped with open shelves.
Etagere
The popularity of etageres (shelving units) expanded through the beginning of the 19th century and specifically became associated with Victorian decorative arts. Victorian-era households had a strong appreciation for small trinkets, which supported the staying power of this furniture item.
Art
A home is incomplete without decorative displays on walls. Let’s explore what else, other than prints and paintings, can replace what hangs on your walls. A collection of antique hats, an unusual robe, mismatched mirrors, extra-large quilts or that large crewel bell pull you picked up at that garage sale.
Create a Backdrop
This is a clever way to create a background for your accessories. Apply wallpaper to the backs of shelves or cabinets to show off your possessions. Be cautious though, too busy a pattern will swallow your accessories. You want to create a contrast to show them off.
Coffee Table Styling
A coffee table is an ideal opportunity to display accessories. If your coffee table is also an ottoman, it is a good idea to contain your items in a large tray to easily remove them if the ottoman does double duty as a footrest. There are a few rules to make your coffee table accessorizing quite beautiful, such as avoiding lots of small items. It can make your table look cluttered.
However beautiful the arrangement, practicality is very important. Is there enough space to put everyday things down, like a cup of coffee, reading book or simply putting your feet up?
Make sure it feels relaxed and useable, rather than staged or untouchable. Include the things you love.
Houseplants
Here is a simple accessory that you can cleverly use to your advantage. Select plant varieties and containers that work with your style: wicker baskets for country, classic shapes for traditional, ceramic for modern and colourfully painted pots say southwest. Don’t forget bathrooms where the humidity is ideal for ferns, orchids and pothos ivy.
In conclusion
The accessories in your home are small yet significant elements that can tell a story and add character to your living space. You can elevate the visual appeal of your home that reflect you and your style.