Home Decor Ideas

It may seem counterintuitive, but asymmetry matters in interior design. Image: Denver Image Photography

Though trends are an important part of the interior design landscape, nothing can overtake the necessity of understanding the fundamentals of how design works. Which is why, today, we’re going back to basics. We’re about to take a look at why asymmetry is a crucial component of design in our homes.

Keep reading to learn more about what exactly asymmetry is, why it matters and how you can pull it off in your own interiors. We’re sure by the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll be ready to make a few adjustments of your own.

Asymmetry is a type of balance. Image: Clean Design

What is asymmetry?

Put simply, asymmetry is a type of balance that’s often used in design. Typically, when people consider balance as a concept, they stick to working with symmetry — or mirror images — in their interiors. While that’s always a viable option, it’s far from the only one to choose from.

In reality, there are three distinct forms of balance you can incorporate as part of your design. They are as follows:

• Symmetrical/formal balance: This type of balance is created by taking the room and splitting it into two halves that mirror each other. It could, for example, include a living room that features two sofas with a coffee table between them.
• Asymmetrical/informal balance: In this case, the room is balanced by the repetition of similar forms, lines and colors, but there is no mirroring or exact duplication. A living room done in an asymmetrical style might feature a sofa with an end table on one end and a floor lamp on the other.
• Radial balance: Radial balance is the most infrequently used option on this list, but it involves similar objects being placed around a common center point. It’s most often seen in dining table arrangements where the same chair is used throughout.

Put simply, asymmetry makes things a little more interesting. Image: Amit Apel Design Inc.

It adds visual interest

Now that you know what asymmetry is, it’s important to take a more in-depth look at why people use it in their designs. The most common reason is that it adds more visual interest. Where the repetition of symmetrical arrangements has a tendency to feel monotonous over time, asymmetrical looks keep us on our toes.

There’s actually a psychological basis for why this occurs. It has to do with the way our brains process information. They aim to pick up on as many patterns and repetitions as possible, so the mirroring effect of symmetrical design makes those rooms very easy to figure out. In asymmetrical spaces, the patterns are less immediately obvious, so it takes our brains a bit longer to process them and ultimately makes them more interesting.

Take the picture above as an example. While the room features a consistent color palette, the same number of chairs on either side of the coffee table, and even a symmetrical layout, it was probably the fireplace that caught your eye first — and held it. Asymmetrical elements are a good tool to use when you want to call attention to a feature of your design.

Asymmetrical design can make your interiors feel more casual. Image: Lucas Y. Hernandez

It’s more casual

Take a second to think of all the mirror images you’ve seen in interior design. More than likely, the images you’re thinking of are stately living rooms that feature double couches or a long dining table with two rows of identical chairs. This rigid duplication of symmetrical design has a tendency to present as more formal and even a little stuffy.

In contrast, asymmetrical designs aren’t constrained by the same level of perfection. The allowance for differences in their arrangement enables the space to feel a bit more casual, a bit more “lived-in.” As such, asymmetrical designs are often favored in high-traffic areas of the home, such as family rooms and eat-in kitchens.

Follow these tips to bring asymmetry to your interiors. Image: Isler Homes

How to pull it off

The last step to becoming a master of asymmetrical design is to know how to apply these concepts in your own home. While there are no hard-and-fast rules for this one, we do have a couple of suggestions to get started.

• Make it a focal point: If you’re going big with your asymmetrical element (like the fireplace above), make sure it’s something that would be a natural focal point and build the rest of your design around it.
• It can be big or small: Asymmetry doesn’t always have to make a huge statement. Sometimes even piv0ting a chair at an angle is enough.
• Use odd numbers: Arranging groupings in odd numbers is a great way to utilize asymmetrical design.
• Remember coordinating elements: When you’re going asymmetrical, it’s crucial to include a few common threads to help pull everything together. Repeating elements with similar colors, lines and shapes are the way to go.
• Use your perception: Pay attention to how your asymmetrical elements make you feel. If something feels “off” about your design, you may have to make a few tweaks until everything makes sense.

Will you be giving asymmetry a chance? Image: Isler Homes

Believe it or not, asymmetry is a foundational principle of interior design. Read over this post and consider our tips carefully. We’re sure when you learn more about the why and how of this design technique, you’ll be ready to give it appropriate attention in your home.

What do you think of asymmetry? Will you be making an effort to include more of it in your interiors? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Why Asymmetry Is an Important Part of Interior Design (and How to Make it Work) appeared first on Freshome.com.

You’ve always wanted a home library. Now’s the time to make it happen. Image: Trilogy Cabinets & Design

Most bookworms we know dream of having a space where they can escape from the world with a good book. Though home libraries may sound like a thing of the past, there’s no reason why you can’t create one of these areas in your own home. All it takes is a little planning to make sure this project comes out the way you’ve always envisioned.

Since these spaces are highly personal, much of your design will come down to your tastes. But there are some tips to help ensure your home library functions at its best, regardless of your aesthetic. Read on below to get one step closer to creating your dream home.

Proper shelving is key to your display. Image: JWT Associates

Focus on your display

Proper storage is the holy grail of the home library. If you’re an avid reader, you’ve likely spent a lot of time storing your books in less-than-ideal conditions. Now that you’ve committed to designing your very own library, it’s time to proudly put your books on display.

The first step is picking the best location in your home for this project. Few are lucky enough to be able to dedicate an entire room to the task. Rather, it’s much more common to find creative ways to share space with a home office or formal living space. If need be, a smaller reading nook can also be carved out from previously unused space in a master bedroom or loft area.

Once you can picture where your library will take shape, it’s time to get serious about storage. Floor-to-ceiling shelving units or built-ins are the traditional choices. However, these days, homeowners are getting more creative. Search out some design inspiration for alternatives that will work in your unique space.

Make sure there’s plenty of seating. Image: Martha O’Hara Interiors

Create the right seating arrangement

After storage, proper seating is the next most important part of a home library. There are very few hard-and-fast rules here, but whether your space will accommodate a single chair or you have square footage for a whole grouping, it should be comfortable. This is one of the few times we’ll advise you to forgo ultra-modern minimalism in favor of the larger, more plush pieces common in traditional design.

Once you have your furniture in place, designing a proper layout is the next step. Of all the seating arrangements in your home, this one in particular should feel welcoming. Try arranging each piece at a slight angle to bring a casual and comforting air to the space. When there is more than one seating element involved, you’ll want to position them so they’re angled toward each other rather than turning away.

Layer lighting to make reading easy. Image: Amanda Kirkpatrick Photography

Layer your lighting

While proper lighting is a key element in every room in your home, it’s especially crucial in a library. No one likes the struggle of squinting to make out words. Providing a proper lighting scheme, as well as the right type of light, is essential to the room’s ability to function the way you want.

Start by reviewing your existing lighting scheme. Ideally, it will feature at least one of each of the following:

• Ambient: Also known as general lighting, ambient light fills the majority of the room and allows you to move around safely. It usually comes from recessed lighting, track lighting or wall-mounted fixtures.
• Accent: Accent lighting is used to highlight a particular focal point, such as a piece of wall art. Picture lights, wall-mounted-fixtures or track lighting are common, and dimmers are often used on these features to provide mood lighting.
• Task: As the name suggests, task lights are used to assist you in completing a particular function. This could be anything from desk lamps to pendant lights that hang over a kitchen island.

Here, your ambient and task lighting is most important. Make sure to have one of each directly above or beside each spot in your seating area. Then, provide the right light temperature. Day bulbs, ranging from 5,000K-6,500K, are the best choice for reading, so you may want to invest in a few of those.

This space should be as cozy as possible. Image: Kevin Dakan Architect

Make it cozy

The last component to any home library is coziness. While this isn’t an official principle of interior design, in our minds, it’s absolutely essential here. After all, this space is an indulgence at heart. Your final product needs to feel like somewhere you’d gladly curl up with a good book for hours on end.

In this case, utilizing textiles is an especially great option for bringing a level of comfort to the room. For example, you can ground the space with a nice, plush throw rug. Then, add a few throw pillows to each chair or sofa in your seating arrangement. Finally, consider adding a soft blanket to the mix to keep warm in cooler temperatures.

The last component is adding an element of personalization. Since your home library will likely function as an escape from the stresses of everyday life, that’s incentive to make it feel like an oasis. Whether it’s a piece of wall art or a particular décor item that will make this room feel like your own, here is official permission to invest.

Take our advice and create a home library of your own. Image: LINEA, Inc

Many of us dream of one day having our very own library. However, there’s no reason why that dream can’t become a reality, even if your living situation isn’t conducive to the typical library we see in old movies. The tips in this post are aimed at helping you create a personal oasis, no matter how much square footage you have. Keep them in mind as you design your space. You deserve it.

What do you think of our home library ideas? Will you be taking steps to include one of these spaces in your own home? Tell us about it in the comments.

The post Want a Home Library? Here Are 4 Tips to Help Make Your Dream Come True appeared first on Freshome.com.

The Oscars are March 8. Why not get Oscar-ready by adding a little Hollywood-chic to your home? Old Hollywood glamour decor is fresher than you’d think — many of its elements like velvets, greys, mirrors and glass are perfectly modern and hot for 2018.

Here are some ways you can add a little old Hollywood glamour decor to your home, in time for the Oscars.

1. It’s all about silver, platinum and light metallic sheens

Layer matte and high-gloss shades of silver or grey in your home to ramp up the Hollywood luxe. Mirrors and chrome are two great ways to incorporate the look. Image: AM Dolce Vita

2. Add some fur

Faux fur pillows, rugs or throws, especially in grey, platinum or pewter tones add glamour to any room. Image: The Expert Touch

3. Curvy and rounded old Hollywood glamour decor is essential

The old Hollywood vibe takes cues from Art Deco style. Add curved furniture or a round mirror or table to get the look. Image: Jamie Herzlinger

4. Pattern and texture required

Repeating patterns, tufting and quilted fabric are all important elements of the old Hollywood glamour decor look. Image: Centered by Design

Notice the patterns expressed in all the decor ranging from the geometric wall paper to the quilted bench and bed cover and the stripe detail on the rug and curtains. Image: Greg Natale

5. Mirrored decor and furniture add old Hollywood glamour to any room

Add a mirrored side table or some mirrored candle holders to “glamorize” your room. Image: L2 Interiors

6. Don’t skimp on the lighting

It’s all about drama — and the best place to add some is in the lighting. A large chandelier featuring lots of bling is the perfect way to glam a space a la Hollywood Regency style. Image: Kohler

7. Make friends with purple

Purple is the color of royalty — and its Hollywood counterparts. Add your favorite shade of purple; it looks fabulous with greys, silvers and whites. Image: Kimberley Seldon

8. Layer in velvet, suede, faux fur, silk and leather

A glamorous Hollywood Regency style home has to look and feel like a million bucks. Velvets, silks and suedes are a quick way to get the effect. Image: Starr Homes

9. Add clear glass and acrylic pieces

The clear effect not only adds glamour and shine, it also expands the look of a room. Image: Keough Sterns Interiors

10. Add your favorite Hollywood starlet to your room

If you’re a film buff, add your favorite icon to your walls as art. Go with a black and white image for that old Hollywood feel. Image: Design Stories SF

Now that your room is Oscar-ready, don’t forget yourself! A pair of silk pajamas or fabulous loungewear will tie in nicely.

The post Get Your Space Oscar-Ready With These 10 Old Hollywood Glamour Decor Ideas appeared first on Freshome.com.

Atelier Urban Face completed the design and development of the “Mount-Royal Kiosks” project. These three oddly shaped buildings are meant to spice up urban family escapes in Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Canada.

“The new kiosks take on the shape of the hamlet,” the architects explained. “This was an important factor in the design, as a hamlet incorporates the idea of a village, one that encourages a sense of interaction and community. The positioning of the kiosks are random, representing a dialogue between the kiosks and the main pavilion, the waterfall at Beaver Lake.”

The installation is inspired by two main components: the play of light and the constant shifting of the wind. Thanks to steel structures, each kiosk leans at a different angle, as if being pushed by the wind. The first kiosk is inclined at 10 degrees, designed for both summer and winter class field trips. With enough room for up to 30 people, the activity possibilities are numerous.

The second kiosk, inclined at 20 degrees, houses tools and equipment for park services, as well as a first aid station. The third, with it’s 30-degree incline, is home to the ticket office, plus storage of recreational equipment.

“The uniqueness of each individual kiosk is the result of their integration into the park in the most discreet and harmonious manner possible,” the architects said. “Not only respecting the environmental integrity of the mountain itself, but blending in with the poetry of the landscape, and all this with an eye on longevity.” Information provided by Atelier Urban Face; photography courtesy of Fany Ducharme, Normand Rajotte, Sylvain Legault and Sylvie Perrault.

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You’ve got the perfect headboard and bedding set up. But does your bedroom still feel a little … vanilla? The large and empty wall area over your bed is probably the reason something’s missing. It’s not easy to decorate the area over your bed — it’s a long and sometimes narrow area. Here are some easy ways you can take your bedroom wall decorating to the next level.

1. Paint (or wallpaper) the wall a rich, vibrant color

Set off the headboard wall with a rich color or beautifully textured wallpaper. Image: Clean Design Partners

2. Hang a patterned rug

Hanging a rug over your bed sideways could be the perfect solution to filling the large wall beautifully. Image: Modern Mecca

A tapestry that’s been mounted on a pole makes an interesting bedroom wall decor idea. Image: An Aesthetic Pursuit

3. Add a wall mural

A map of the world mural in contemporary shades of grey add personality to this simple bedroom. Image: Gaile Guevara Studio

The mural in this sophisticated bedroom is finished with a wood frame to re-create the look of a large painting. Image: Raji RM & Associates

4. Create a gallery wall

Try putting a gallery wall together of your favorite objects. Besides hooks, be sure to use double-sided tape to ensure the artworks don’t fall off the wall and on you. Image: Ms. Weatherbee

5. Hang a room divider

A quick and effective way to fill the empty wall space behind your bed involves hanging a room divider. This three-panel version in silk is especially polished and elegant. Image: Oliver Burns

6. Hang a horizontal painting or mirror

Not sure what type of horizontal art would be the perfect scale for over your bed? Choose one that’s somewhere between 2″ to 12″ shorter than your bed’s width and center it. Image: Alessandro Cerruti

A horizontal mirror expands the sense of space in a bedroom. Mirrors can be heavy and dangerous if they fall — use caution when hanging one or hire a professional to mount it safely over your bed. Image: By Helen Design

This bedroom wall uses two design elements to create a wall that pops: a rich, textured wallpaper and a contemporary horizontal wall canvas in a contrasting color. Image: Zero Energy

7. Hang a series of wall art horizontally

A triptych (trio) of metal lattice wall panels are the perfect wall decor over the bed. Image: A Good Chick To Know

You can space your wall panels as close together or as far apart as you’d like to fill the wall area. Just be sure they all measure the same distance from each other to look symmetrical. Image: Charm Home

8. Use vertical panels to fill the wall

Have tall ceilings you find challenging to decorate? Try hanging vertical wall art in a series to fill the wall. Image: Joel Kelly Design

9. Hang sculptural pieces in a freeform pattern

For something a little more dimensional and less typical, skip the paintings and hang a series of wall decor. Try hanging different sizes in a freeform pattern for the most dramatic effect. Image: Opal DC

Modern paper lanterns create a fun and unexpected bedroom wall decorating idea. Image: Twist Tours

Repeating metal sculptures in a coral shape are hung on the wall in a circular pattern to offset the angular furniture pieces. Image: Our Style Stories

10. Add stylish storage

Claim the space over your bed by adding clean and modern storage. Narrow, wall-mounted storage cabinets with mirrored or colorful doors can hide a multitude of items. Image: Ensoul

Try mixing and matching a few of these bedroom wall decorating ideas to complete your room. Which are your favorite ideas?

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