Decorate Like You See in Magazines & Books?

Have you ever wondered why interior designers place slippers on the ottoman in magazine photos? They do it to make the staged setting look as if it's a lived-in room. Pictures and illustrations in decorating books, magazines, and other advertisements are designed to sell a product or an idea.

But what's missing in the staged rooms of most interior design books and magazines? People.

When it comes to decorating your own your home, forget the empty rooms you see in the magazines and books. You should design your rooms as backdrops for the people who use and live in those spaces. In order to best utilize the spaces in your home, try these simple techniques:

Leave empty space. Empty space gives you breathing room and allows the most important items in the room to shine, which are the people!

Use small patterns on walls and furniture. Avoid large-patterned fabrics and wallpapers with designs larger than your head. Huge florals will interfere with the appearance of the people in the room. You don't want to have to compete with bold patterns behind your face. Patterns on sofas and chairs that clash with clothing will also make you and your guests feel uncomfortable.

Use colors that complement people. Finding the right colors to complement your skin and eyes deserves planning. Most people look great when surrounded by color. For light skin colors, use yellows, pinks, and beiges. For darker complexions, yellows, olives, and tans can make people stand out. Since most people no longer have bright white in their eyes, avoid pastels that are whiter than the white in your eyes.

Add textures that feel good to the touch. Support your sense of touch by adding textures that are nice to caress. You don't have to touch velvet to sense its softness, and soft textures like chenille and satins will visually support your feeling of being pampered, as well.

Arrange accessories to shore up emotions. In one of my rooms, I arranged my mantle accessories to make a statement, and it looked great in photographs, but after analyzing why the mantle didn't seem to smile, I realized that it wasn't personal. When I filled it with Mili fiori lamps, crystal candlesticks, and antique vases, the space looked great, but it really began to smile when I added a Mexican Rose rock under the painting.

Think comfort before pretense. Just because a sofa or chair looks fabulous doesn't mean the piece is comfortable. Remember, when you walk around a showroom, sitting down on any piece feels good, but in order to truly test a piece of furniture, you need to sit on it for a long time, until you feel totally rested. Only then will you be able to feel the real support and comfort level of that piece.

Remember, your home is a place for people, and when you and your guests look and feel great in your home, you can be sure that you've designed a great setting; one that far outshines the staged sets you'll see in magazines and books.

Joy to you!

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhouse fordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

---

A Look at Electronic Air Filters

Many people mistakenly assume that an air conditioning only controls... Read More

Have You Considered These Space-Saving Bed Designs To Maximize Your Interior Decorating Space?

Vertical and functional space planning are two of the most... Read More

The Benefits of Outdoor Wood Stoves

Outdoor wood stoves use renewable energy, are less expensive than... Read More

Pizzazz Your Front Door and More!

Want your front door to really "sing?" Then paint it... Read More

Why Silk Plants Instead Of The Real Thing?

Should I buy silk plants and flowers for my home... Read More

Lighting Up a Seniors Life - Baby Boomer Alert!

Lighting for seniors requires attention to some specific details. When... Read More

The Many Types Of Light Available Today

The Many Types Of Light Available TodayWhat's in a light... Read More

Make The Right Choice When It Comes To Futon Frames

As you begin your search for a futon you should... Read More

The Latest Trends in Interior Decorating for Your Home & Office

In this time period, people are as busy as ever.... Read More

Tasteful Home Decorating Changes Your House Into a Home

There is this undocumented story about Andrew Carnegie who kept... Read More

A Review of Popular Water Softener Products

With so many types and brands of water softeners to... Read More

Animal Print Rugs - Adding an Animal Print Area Rug Can Complete The Look of Your Room

If you love animal prints or have an exotic theme... Read More

Finding a Cuckoo Clock Repair Service

Weights hanging from the bottom of your cuckoo clock keep... Read More

Granite Tile Countertops

The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More

A Guide to Decorative Picnic Baskets

Decorative picnic baskets come in many sizes, styles, and artistic... Read More

Starting Your Own Redecorating Business: The First Key Steps

Are you a compulsive furniture rearranger? Do you make distinctive... Read More

Decorative Wall Painting Techniques

Do your walls seem dull and uninviting? Do you long... Read More

How to Repair Your Dishwasher

Your dishwasher isn't measuring up to the price you paid... Read More

Latex Mattresses ? Comfortable, Renewable, and Biodegradable

A latex mattress is not exactly the same thing as... Read More

Picnic Baskets for Two

Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More

Adding A Shower Enclosure Can Transform Your Bathroom!

In these days of deadlines and time limits, shower enclosures... Read More

Psychology of Color - Decorating a Kitchen for the Subconscious

Psychologists have studied the influence of color on the mind... Read More

Book Shelf Decorating Idea & Tip

If you have book shelves in your home, and lots... Read More

A Look at Cuckoo Clock Movement

The inside mechanics of cuckoo clocks maintain virtually the same... Read More

Kitchen Island Sizes

Kitchen island sizes vary considerably from moveable cutting and serving... Read More

Tuscan Style Decorating - Three Essential

If Under the Tuscan Sun left you breathlessly and hopelessly... Read More

Bean Bag Chairs ? Choosing the Right One

Decorating can be a big challenge in today's world. There... Read More

Easy Dining Room Makeover

A dining room can be such a fantastic place to... Read More

Making Your Home Blossom is Easy

Having trouble getting a room in your home to have... Read More

Designing Your Kid?s Room is Child?s Play!

Would your child's room benefit from some fresh design ideas... Read More

Fast Solutions with Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used in the... Read More

Feng Shui in Colours

How does choice of colour affect your feng shui?Colours and... Read More

How to Build Your Own Cuckoo Clock

Of all the various kits available from hobby stores and... Read More