Tip 9: Focus on one area of your home for maximum impact

{This is part of the series "Top Ten Tips for Decorating on a Budget"}

For years I collected small pieces that caught my eye. I’d see something at a craft show, a décor store, or an antique shop and think, “This is what I can afford, so this is what I’ll get.” These pieces ended up spread throughout my home, virtually unnoticeable. Down the road, I finally realized that for what I had spent on all those small pieces, pieces that really got lost in the room, I could have purchased a couple of statement pieces that would have much more impact, especially in a smaller space or defined area.  A statement piece is usually BIG on color or BIG on design, and is often on the larger side, making it an anchor and focal point for an area. 

By focusing your resources on one area of your home, you create a cohesive focal point. This may not be THE focal point in your room (for instance, you might be focusing on a bookshelf in a room where your fireplace is the focal point), but you’re creating a unified, pulled-together, pleasing look in that spot.

For example, look at the bookshelves in the photograph. There is a neutral color theme, a sort of greige (gray/beige) with accents of green that flow with the rest of the room. The shelves have a balanced appeal, with each shelf a complete landscape on its own, yet the shelves work together rather than compete against one another. The components of any of these shelves easily transfer to a console table, dresser top or single wall shelf to make a smaller area of focus.

Notice also the statement pieces on top of the shelves. These Bradford Lattice Lanterns, with their whitewashed wood and delicate detailing, make an understated statement in the room. They are beautiful plain, but candles or flowers can be easily inserted through the hinged metal top.

A simple bookshelf or tabletop makeover can make a big difference in the visual appeal of any room, making it feel more like home to you and your family, as well as your guests.

Note: If you’re in need of a bookshelf or tabletop makeover, why not make it a girlfriend project? Willow House Makeover Design Workshops are a fun way to make a change in your home, especially when you can earn free and discounted products for hosting! If you’d like to know more, contact me.