3 Rules To Arranging Home Decor Accessories

Imagine this: you have found the perfect accessories from *insert your favorite store here*. They’ve arrived FINALLY after months of waiting (thank you shipping delays) or you made a score at your local Home Goods.

Now what? You know they will look perfect on your bookcase, but you don’t know where to begin.

If this is you, you have come to the right place! I have three rules to follow that will help you create charming vignettes throughout your home:

Rule 1: Start with Harmony and Contrast

Rule 2: Check Scale and Shape

Rule 3: Add Layers and Soften

⁠

Harmony and Contrast

When arranging a space with accessories, you need to keep in mind the most important thing: add interest. Believe it or not, this has a lot less to do with the objects you choose than how you choose to display them.

Keep a balance of harmony by including items that go together, either similar colors or styles and adding contrast (think varying texture and materials).

@blushingboho⁠ design by @studiomcgee

Take a look at this vignette by Studio McGee. Harmony is created by the use of natural and light colors in the art, vase, books, and knot. Notice how soft these are too! Then they added contrast by including a woven vase, dark colored lamp, and brass pedestal bowl.

To make your space feel complete you want to have a bit of both of these elements in your arrangement.

Scale and Shape

It is so important to remember scale – you want to make sure that your new items fit well in their new home. Often times I find people use too small of objects for their surroundings. But there is a way to include them! You can group them on top of a decorative box or a stack of books, like they did in this design below. The sculpture is about the same size as the largest candlestick so in order to emphasize its shape and increase its visual scale, books are added underneath.

@reidrolls.interiors⁠ @real_simple Idea Home in #Brooklyn

This rule can apply to overhead light fixtures and vases on tables too! Stay away from adding very tall floral arrangements on small tiny tables and as for the lighting, it may involve some math. Ah! I know! Here is the best explanation I have found:

To determine the proper diameter for your room, first measure the room’s length and width in feet, and add those numbers together. So, if the room is 10×12, your number would be 22. Swap the unit from feet to inches (so, 22 inches), and that is your correct diameter. Remember, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it is a good guideline to make sure your light looks right in the space.

Next, you need to figure out the height of light fixture that will look best in your space. Start by measuring the height of the room, from floor to ceiling. Multiply the height by 2.5-3, to get a range. So, if the room is 10″ tall, your new measurement is 25-30″. Again, swap that value for inches (25-30′) and you’ll find the ideal height of light fixture for this particular room.

This article has great functional guidelines for ceiling fixtures too! Find more info here.

Layer and Soften

Now the final step is to define the layers. Start with a taller larger piece, either centered (as shown in the images below) or slightly off center. This piece will be the star of the show and the rest of the objects will accent it. You want to work your way inside, so start on the outer edges. Add another taller background layer (but not as tall as your main piece) and then a medium size and height layer. Smallest objects go in the front. The goal is to keep the viewer’s eye moving up and down as it looks at the arrangement from left to right for interest. This is where adding soft, organic elements or colors comes into play. See how the round objects in the left fireplace arrangement soften the black and white art piece and the horn? Or how in the right image you eye is drawn to the purple flowers first, then to the art above, down to the bottles, and down to the book and horse. Then back up to the flowers. The flowers serve as both interest and soften the arrangement.