As you decorate your home for the holidays, it is good to create some balance. While everything certainly doesn’t have to match precisely or be perfectly symmetrical, balance will help keep the addition of extra elements from becoming too chaotic.
You want to create interest, warmth, and charm, but you don’t want things to look overdone. These tips will help you put together just the right holiday displays or arrangements for any time of year.
Add Texture
If you line up candles along your mantel, that’s fine, but it isn’t going to make a huge impact. If you like clean lines, it will probably work for you and give you an inexpensive, simple way to add some holiday color. However, if you want greater impact, consider choosing textured candles along with smooth, or instead of candles, try textured glass bowls or vases mixed with smooth glass pieces. If all your accessories are smooth, add texture with fabric or filler. Adding a few pinecones or autumn leaves between candles is a good example (for Christmas change it to pine boughs or holly, etc.).
Arrange Accessories in Layers
When looking to add warmth, it helps to add layers. Instead of a bare shelf or table top peeking out from under your accessories, add runners first and place those pieces on top. If you like the contrast of the wood or other finish, don’t completely cover it. Instead, intertwine strips of sheer ribbon or other light fabric around the bases of your accessories.
Visual Impact
Using items in different sizes and shapes and especially different heights, makes a greater impact. The eye will move up and down, back and forth, to take it all in. This is one area in which you will want to keep some balance. You don’t want the eye moving between pieces so quickly that your guests get dizzy! Just avoid making things too symmetrical so your displays wont’ be boring.