Decorating your home can be a daunting task, so you head on over to Pinterest with a cup of tea, and approximately 18 hours later, you are on the 12th cup of coffee, your hair is disheveled, your life is in shambles, your husband has left you, but you have seven new perfectly curated Pinterest boards and still no clue where to begin.
Sound familiar? Pinterest can be our best friend, or our worst, most anxiety-provoking enemy. To help you navigate the waters if you are starting over with your living room, we narrowed down some key elements to help you arrange furniture so your room looks spacious and luxurious.
1. Hang a chandelier
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Hanging a chandelier draws the eye up, making your room feel grander than it is. Be conscious of the size of the room, as you don't want to overpower it with the fixture, but using a calculator like this one can help you decide on the perfect size. The chandelier should match the overall style of your decor, whether that is rustic, modern, or classic. Crystal is timeless and works in most rooms while giving a light and airy feel, where heavier materials like wrought iron can add a tone of heaviness.
2. Ground your space
Grounding a space can come in many forms, but using a rug is by far the easiest. Pick a pattern or texture that defines the mood you want to accomplish with the space (natural fiber for a rustic look, or a monochromatic modern pattern for a posh vibe), and set that down first. Then, set the biggest piece of furniture you own, like your couch, and from there add in smaller details throughout the room, that pick up on details in the rug.
3. Use repetition
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We've all heard of the rule of thirds, and we continue to work with it because it works. It has been proven that items in odd numbers are more aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and repeating that same concept around the room will draw in the viewer and create a pleasant balance. Also use repetition when styling in a "pyramid," meaning use the same items in three different heights. Another way to create fluidity is to repeat a key color through the room in small doses.
4. Hang drapes as high as possible
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One of the most common mistakes is to hang drapes directly above the window. That is the equivalent of wearing dresses that cut you off mid-calf and make your legs look like short little stumps. Hang your window treatments as high as you can to elongate the walls and add drama to any size room.
5. Use a variety of textures
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Texture adds visual interest and keeps the eyes moving from one place to another around a room, so when it comes to styling, make sure you are using a good variety of it. For your window treatments, set the tone for a more casual and breezy space by using materials such as linen or cotton, and for a dressier look use silk or a heavier material such as velvet for extra coziness. Throw some pillows on the couch, and alternate soft fabrics with more textured ones like burlap or heavy prints. Spread the texture throughout the room by hanging different size and finish wall art, and using a variety of plants and natural elements to style your coffee table.
6. Hang large-scale art
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Hanging oversize art can really give any room a grand feeling. It can be intimidating to use large scale pieces in a smaller room, but if you create balance by placing something of equal or similar weight on the opposite side of it, you get an amazing focal point while bringing elegance to the room. Be bold, and get that large painting you've been eyeing for years and make a home for it in your main living room wall.
This post was first seen on Society Letters. Find more of Deborah Stachelski on Instagram.
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