Using Scale In Your Home Decor

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Attempting interior design in your own home can seem challenging, especially when it comes to  finding pieces that will not only fit into your space, but will pair well with your other decor. As long as you keep in mind the aspect of scale, adding style to your home can be fun!

Creating A Balanced Home

Like proportion, scale is a vital element to interior design. Scale refers to the size of things, where proportion refers to the relationship between those things. In the case of interior design, scale refers to how big or small your furnishings and accessories are; proportion has to do with how they are used within a space.

By abiding by scale and proportion rules, you can create a visually appealing space.

  • Living Room ScaleBedroom. If you have high ceilings or a spacious master bedroom, large pieces of furniture will suit your bedroom. Opt for a tall headboard and make sure that whatever pieces you use to accessorize the space are proportional. If your bedroom is on the smaller side, aim for a bed frame that won’t make the room feel smaller than it already is, and pair it will smaller accessories.
  • Dining Room. Once again, scaling in this room should be determined by the height of your ceilings. If your dining room has high ceilings, balance the space with tall dining chairs. On average, tables only go as high as 29 1/2 inches, so play with seating to help scale the room. Chairs with high backs or ones with graphically heavy designs in a print or pattern work well in open dining rooms. To fill any additional space, accent the area with a tall lamp or a large tapestry. Conversely, if your dining room is small, avoid creating a crowded look by using dining chairs with short backs or even a bench along one side of the table.
  • Scale in Home DesignLiving Room. When decorating an airy living room, look for larger pieces of furniture to fill the space, like a long, plush sectional embellished with patterned pillows or a couch upholstered with a print. If you have a small living room, go for pieces that aren’t so vast to avoid creating a cramped feeling. For instance, pair an accent chair with a small couch and use a coffee table to anchor the intimate living room.
  • Office. To ensure proportion in a spacious office, pick a large desk or one with heavy detailing to add visual weight. Accessorize with a tall bookcase and other bulky décor pieces like end tables or accent chairs. Small offices are easily scaled with a concise, lightweight desk paired with simple wall accessories like shelving.

Use these simple tips to scale each room in your home to size with the right decor! For more help with scale, give me a call or schedule an in-home design consultation today.

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