10 Tips For Decorating Your Home From Scratch
 

There are a many tricks that designers use when accessorizing spaces and all of us have our favorites. That’s because most of these tricks, or techniques – if you want to be fancy – really work in a number of situations. Here’s a list of my favorite tips for accessorizing your home like a pro. I subtitled this piece 10 Tips For Decorating Your Home From Scratch because these techniques can apply to accessorizing a new home – from scratch – or they can also apply to a quick seasonal or holiday makeover too. Ready? Here we go:
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 1: Create A Story
 

What I mean by this is curate the things that you have. You don’t have to have a cohesive visual narrative. Sometimes it’s more interesting to have a story that relates with color or proportion and not necessarily with subject matter.  Play with items that create a vignette or interesting moment.
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 2: Go Monochromatic Or Repeat Patterns, Shapes, and Textures
 

When you concentrate a group of accessories by replicating or repeating a color, texture or pattern, you create a sense of drama and that can make for a very interesting grouping. If you have a collection of all white pottery and lot’s of open shelves, create a monochromatic display by grouping them together. This picture does this nicely by limiting the number of items to each shelf.  When you spread out your collection like this you can really make for a story that pops.  
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 3: Layer Objects Vary The Line, Shape and Scale
 

Pay attention to how you arrange the items when you’re accessorizing. By layering the objects in your collection and by arranging them in odd numbers like 3’s and 5’s, you can create a very interesting story. It’s also important to vary the line, shape and scale of the items to add visual appeal and interest. There’s nothing worse than a bunch of stuff lined up in a straight line, so layer away. When in doubt, put the stuff you really love up front.   
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 4: Contrast, Contrast, Contrast
 

Contrast is one of the most important was to maximize the effects of accessorizing like a pro. This means play with the arrangement of light and dark items in your composition. Take a look at this picture. The artwork is neutral and much lighter than the dark, almost black background. If the wall color was the same color as the art, it would disappear and fall flat on the wall. By adding a dark background the artwork stands off and really draws the eye. This concept can apply to any color scheme and it doesn’t have to be as dramatic as black and white. Try adding light colored items on a mid-tone background for a much more subtle look.  
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 5: Bring In The Unexpected
 

It can be fun to play with the unexpected in your accessorizing adventures. Sometimes bringing in a kooky little touch can be a great way to add personality to a composition. Little touches that seem out of place can be a conversation starter and you’re sure to get a reaction from people. Go ahead and test your creative funny bone and bring in the unexpected!
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 6: Repeat Color In Your Accents, Art and Area Rugs
 

To really build a nice solid look for your space, your accessories play an important role. One of my favorite places to start a design project is with something from an accessory story. That could mean an area rug, accent pillow or drapery pattern. When I have the parameters of something that offers color, pattern or a texture, I can use that inspiration to accessorize around the room. Let’s take the example of these accent pillows. If you look under the glass coffee table, the geometric rug has the same turquoise blue as the accent pillows, artwork and glass vases. Notice the contrast here as well – The white leather sofa is supporting the watery blue color story by contrasting it. It is almost the same color as the wall which really lets the accessories stand out. This is especially helpful if you enjoy changing out accent colors often. Just a few simple switches of accessories and this room will look completely different. 
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 7: Bring In The Texture!
 

I am a big fan texture in accessories! It’s one of the best ways to make a really interesting composition to any room. Texture can be used to add focus to a certain area. It stimulates the senses and adds dimension. You can achieve this by bringing in natural elements like carved wood items, leather, fur hides, cut glass, stone, you name it. Don’t be afraid to bring in the texture because it will always add a beautiful feature to your space.
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 8: Add Some Sparkle
 

This one piggy backs on the texture tip but I still think that it’s strong enough to stand alone. When you add in items that sparkle you get a wonderful chameleon effect for your space. Depending on the time of day and how the light catches it’s angles, accessories that sparkle add beauty to a room. They are like the jewelry of the space. Think crystal chandelier, glass finials on drapery rods, flower vases, mirror and picture frames. Items that sparkle dress up a room and every room needs at least one item that catches the light.
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 9: Symmetry
 

I like to use symmetry in my designs because it brings a sense of order to a space. Symmetry makes a room feel finished. It can also add to the general feeling of comfort and relaxation. When you see items that bring a visual balance to a space you feel calm because you’re sense of order is not interrupted by feeling like something is off. I always balance the scale of items on one side of the room with the scale of items on the other side of a room. They don’t have to be the exact same items like featured in this picture but strive for visual balance. It’s helpful to think of your space as an equation… What you do to one side do to the other to achieve the same in scale and impact. 
 

How To Accessorize Your Home Like A Pro Tip 10: Add Live Plants
 

Live plants add so much to a space. In my opinion, plants are the ultimate accessory. They translate to every space in your home and add color, height and texture. They add life to your space – literally. There are so many types of plants, with varying levels of care and you don’t have to have a green thumb to care for every type of plant. You can find drought tolerant and low light plant options just as easily as finding plants that need more care and maintenance. Plants can fill an awkward corner. They can bring focus to a particular area of a room. They add charm and whimsy just by being there. 
 

There you have it. My favorite 10 tips for accessorizing your home like a pro. Give a few of them a try and see for yourself what a difference they will make!  
 

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.