subject: Good Interior Design Demands A Focal Point [print this page] Good Interior Design Demands A Focal Point
One of the basic rules of interior design is to choose one main focal point in any room. Not two or three, because this causes visual confusion. And not having a focal point is just as bad the room lacks any visual interest as a result.
But there are many people not aware of this rule, judging from whatI have seen.
A room looks much better with one clearly defined focal point.And that does not mean that the rest of the room has to be mush you can incorporate mini focal points in the room, but they should not compete with the main focal point.
To have a focal point in a room means that the eye automatically travels to that place in the room firstand then moves to other less prominent places of interest.
Choose less dramatic pieces as mini focal pointsthey may be smaller, or when balancing items of the same scale in a room, they must simply be less "out there" compared to the focal piece.
The main focal point can be a large-scale architectural feature, such as a dramatic arch, a
fireplace, a staircase, or a large picture frame window with a great view.
If the room has no natural focus, you can make one with a dramatic painting, sculpture, or a large and beautiful piece of furniture, such as an upholstered headboard.
You may also create a focus by treating one wall of a room differently than the others painting one wall a bright colour, or using a patterned wallpaper on one wall, for example. In bedrooms, the focal point is often the bed, and here, beautiful bed coverings that co-ordinate with the rest of the room are a must. You can accentuate this strong feature by adding a dramatic headboard or mounting a commanding painting on the wall over the headboard.
A living room focus is often a fireplace, or a large painting or mirror mounted above a sofa
usually on the longest wall in the room. If you have both, play up one and make the other more subtle so there is no confusion about which is the main focus.
The fireplace usually has art above the mantel or propped on the mantel, and accessories should be simple and uncluttered.
After you define the focal point of your room, orient the furniture and other dcor in such a way that they accent or "point" to the focus.
Lighting in the room should also draw attention to the focus it should be plainly obvious as soon as you enter the room.
A clear focus creates a better flow, and cleaner lines it really does work!
