 One of the most common home decorating struggles is figuring out how to arrange accessories—whether it's a bookcase, shelf, or tabletop. Keep reading for my simple, three-step system that will turn those cluttered or lifeless spaces into beautiful, curated vignettes! Harmony and Contrast The key to a great accessory arrangement is avoiding boredom! This isn’t just about what you display, but how you display it. Keep a balance between harmony (where things feel like they go together—like similar colors or styles) and contrast (where something different adds a little excitement—like smooth surfaces paired with textures, or round shapes alongside straight lines). For example, you could create harmony by repeating a square shape or a color like blue, then add contrast by placing a smooth candlestick next to a woven basket. Scale and Shape Make sure the accessories fit the scale of the space. You don’t want a tiny paperweight lost on a large dining table, or a massive floral arrangement overwhelming a small end table. Most of the time, people use items that are too small for the space. To give smaller pieces more presence, group them on a tray or a fabric-covered box, or add height by placing them on stacked books or baskets. Layer and Soften Once you’ve chosen your items, it’s time to layer and soften the arrangement. Start with a larger, taller piece slightly off-center—it will anchor your display. Then, build outwards in layers: taller pieces in the back, medium height in the middle, and the smallest items in the front. Let the eye travel up and down as it moves across the arrangement for added interest. Above all, experiment! Play with different combinations until you find what feels right. Try using items in unexpected ways or tuck a plant into an arrangement that feels too stiff. Even pros like me are surprised by new setups sometimes! And if things still feel cluttered, you’re probably trying to display too much—less is often more. If you want to learn more about interior design then be sure to check out my upcoming Interior Design Basics class. Click here for more information.
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