Accessories Can Make or Break a Home
(Adapted The Arizona Republic Article)

Nothing adds or detracts from a room like accessories. Some ornaments look like clutter; others beckon the viewer for a closer look. Often, it's not so much what you display, as how you display it.

Objects of the same type and color should be grouped. And it's important to provide variation in style, size, and texture within the room. A group of antiques ornaments, for example, is more eye-catching with a large, contemporary painting displayed nearby. A large plant can soften the regimented look of a shelf unit filled with family treasures.

To create visual interest in a room, find unusual ways to display your favorite accessories. Paintings, photographs, and mirrors can be rested against a wall, rather than hung. Books can be stacked. Vases and flowerpots can be clustered on the floor. Avoid the temptation to show everything that you own at the same time. It is more effective to select a few complementary items to display. An oil lamp makes a lovely accessory in winter. A ceramic bowl painted with strawberries will be more admired during spring and summer.

For more design and decorating ideas, click here for a decorating site where you can browse more than 10,000 professional photographs, searchable by rooms or complete homes.