AMP UP YOUR SPACES WITH THESE SIMPLE TIPS
Simple tweaks can make all the difference. While there are situations that call for breaking the rules - we do it all the time - a good starting point can lead you to the impact your space craves. If you need more than minor adjustments, we’re here to help. Check out the services we offer.
ART Hang art in your home like a gallerist. Find the center of your image or group of images. That point should be 57” - 60” from the floor. This will create the most impact and celebrate your art.
Curate like a pro. Tie images together with a theme or common color. Leave just a 1” to 1-1/2” gap between to form a cohesive group but give the eye a break from piece to piece.
Bonus Use a piece of painters tape to lift pencil marks off painted walls. Using an eraser just smudges but the tape lightens it if you continue to stick and lift.
FURNISHINGS The right spacing saves shins & stains. Place your coffee table 14” to 18” from the sofa. This affords you space to walk around but also reach that drinks coaster.
Elevate your blanket & pillow game. Layer sizes, textures, & prints. Make sure to use a pillow form at least 2” larger than your pillow cover to fill the corners and give good fluff. Double stuff duvet covers for a spa-like experience.
Bonus Incorporate things you love into every space. run colors, photos, and collectables can make you smile even while doing laundry.
HARDWARE & FIXTURES Give enough height. Mount towel & robe hooks 60” to 70” from the floor. Now whatever you hang becomes a design element.
Details matter. The scale of cabinet hardware can drastically change a space. Oversized pulls add drama. Petite knobs and finger pulls are more understated. Think about what you want to stand out versus what is strictly functional.
Bonus IIt is not always necessary to match hardware. Mixed metals can create interest for the eye. Matchy-matchy can be boring.
LIGHTING
Consider scale carefully. Exterior sconces should be 1/4 to 1/3 the height of the door. Too small of a fixture looks misplaced and doesn’t provide lighting in the proper place.
Know your color and brightness. Bedroom, living room, & bathroom lighting should be warmer & more flattering. Color temperatures of 2700 to 3000 are usually best with a brightness of 1000 - 2000 lumens. Workspaces, like kitchens, generally require 4000 lumens for task lighting.
RUGS
Bigger is better. Use the visual trick of a larger rug to make a space appear bigger. Also, make sure furniture sits on the rug, not surrounds it. 18” on each side of a bed accommodates nighstands and offers warmth and softness.
Make it lux. Get the extra cushy rug pad. Layer rugs. Treat your feet to different textures.
TRIM
Trim is icing on the cake. 54” is a standard mantel height for a 10’ ceiling. Too low or too high and the space feels awkward. Similarly, 5” to 7” feels right for baseboard and crown. Granted, there are exceptions but start here for balance.
Keep your feet grounded. A standard height for banquette or window seating is 18”. This allows feet to touch the ground comfortably when seated. Keep in mind a cushion height of 3” to 6”.
Bonus Trim work can lead the style of a space Crown molding and panel details feel more traditional while clean lines with small baseboards lean more modern.
WALL TREATMENTS
Walls can set the tone. Stone can warm up a space. Paneling can elevate your design. Murals can add whimsy and interest. Remember, your biggest surface can lead the design goal of your space.
Sheen is keen. Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semigloss, or gloss - how to choose? The simple rule is semi or gloss for trim and woodwork. The rest are best for interior walls.
Bonus Let your walls tell a story!
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Fill up your curtain rods. Add extra panels for fullness. You can use one rod or multiples. Layer different textures for additional interest.
Higher. Really, higher! A minimum 4” to 6” above your window is the ideal placement for that curtain rod. And while your at it, extend the brakets 12” wider than the window frame. These two tricks will make both your windows and space feel roomier.