Balance is the critical element in every aspect of decorating. Use of balance within a particular room might be achieved by playing with existing items in your home, by moving them around until you feel a harmony between the structural and decorative elements of your room. We do it often when we place a large sofa on one wall and two chairs with a table between on the opposite wall. That is balance. When you want to infuse life and distinctive style into a room, consider how the flat structural aspects of the room--floor, walls, and ceilings--balance with each other. These three very important elements can make or break the project.

First, flooring is the basis for your room, involving color and texture. It sets the foundation, literally, for everything else to build from. If you have hardwood floors, you are particularly fortunate because it provides a wonderful backdrop for any type of rug, whether oriental, sisal, hooked, or dhurrie. The color or pattern in your rug can give you directions to head when looking for furnishings or for the next ingredient that most influences your room, paint. My recommendation is put the largest percentage of your budget allowed for a single item into a wonderful rug underfoot.

Secondly, paint is tremendously influential in changing the entire focus or mood of a room. It is also the cheapest and easiest ingredient to add or change. The color on your walls will either balance in tone or depth of color with your rug and furnishings. Sometimes, the color is right but the shade is not. A balance must be achieved within the room that you feel when you walk in. You may not be able to pin down exactly why the room does or does not work for you, but you can be assured it all lies within the concept of balance between color, weight, and texture.

Thirdly, lighting sets the mood for all the structural and decorative items. Lack of appropriate lighting can make a room dreary despite the loveliest furnishings and colors. A single overhead light casts unattractive shadows on persons using the room and fails to accent the focal points in the room. On the other hand, adequate lighting in the way of lamps, strategically placed recessed lighting, or sconces can provide inviting illumination adequate for reading or highlighting a collection or display. They can spotlight paintings or other artwork. They can provide task lighting to facilitate desk or countertop work. Appropriate, adequate lighting can visually pull you to a room, inviting you to come in and enjoy the ambience. Again, balance in height of lamps, placement, and finishes all work together to achieve the critical balance of light dispersion.
Look at your rooms and see if you sense the balance talked about. Consider the features mentioned above and see if altering one or all of them would bring your room into harmony. Our homes are our retreats and often our escape from hectic work schedules. Try looking at your areas objectively to see whether your living environment provides the type of balance at home that soothes and refreshes you.

For questions regarding this article or decorating related questions you’d like to see answered in future articles, please contact Donna at www.capodimontedesign.com.

© 2000, Capodimonte Design, Printed May, 2000, in the Huntersville Star, Huntersville, NC

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