Design Tips
How to use a Focal Point when Styling a Room
Creating a Focal Point
When creating a room and working out your furniture and décor choices, an important consideration is including one key item that catches the eye when you enter the room, called a ‘focal point’. The concept behind this technique is about creating an immediate strong impression, by directing the eye to one interior’s element or location and raising emotions. It’s setting the mood through first impressions.
Placing a strong artwork on the end wall of a hallway is the perfect way to add a sense of depth and attract you into the space.
Allowing a great view to be clearly visible through the windows is a good way to add a sense of calm and of space to a room.
A claw footed free-standing bath tub, given plenty of space around is bound to immediately raise a strong sense of self-indulging luxury.
A focal point is also useful to physically aim people’s attention towards a specific direction and maybe away from areas you don’t want to be noticed. From there the attention will span to the area immediately around it and then open to the rest of the room.
A focal point is created by using colour, pattern, size or finish, for example, like a striking art work on the wall in the living room, the textural cushions on the bed, the gold and marble floor lamp or a stand out kitchen tap in the middle of the kitchen island.
The focal point intends to visually attract people, drawing their attention and making them look where you want them too.
The focal point is usually positioned away from the entry door attracting you inside the space.
This article was based on just one of the hundreds of practial design tips included in James Trebles “Practical Design” online course.
If you want to learn how to should design your dream kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, loungeroom or even an entire house then why not check out the course – or you can try a figure it out on your own by rearranging the cushions for the 100th time! The choice is yours.