A Focal Point to an
Interior Decorating Idea

The focal point in a room is one interior decorating idea that usually doesn't need to be thought about or introduced.

A room usually has some architectural or structural element in it that draws your eye toward it creating an impact and is the first thing your eye focuses on when you walk into the room.

It could be an architectural feature like

• a handsome fireplace
• large windows facing a garden
or
• a beautiful archway

It is this element that creates balance in a room and where the seating is directed.

Every room design needs and benefits from a focal point, including the bedroom. It anchors the room and eliminates the eye from wandering and bouncing around which gives you an uncomfortable feeling in a room.

Often the bed is the focus in the bedroom so dress it to look super inviting.

Many times the room will have an obvious focal point like a fireplace but if it doesn't you can create one.

If there are no architectural features in the room, notice where your eye falls as you enter a room and create a focus by enhancing that area.

The interior decorating idea of creating a focal point is to think big. In a small room large-scaled items can make the room appear larger and in a larger room the focus needs to be grand to support the scale of the room.

Create a focal point by using

• a stunning piece of furniture
such as
• a beautiful antique armoire or china cabinet
• wall units that house the television in a family room
• tall bookcases
• a baby grand piano
• a gallery wall or a piece of artwork that you particularly love
• a floor standing mirror
• a dramatic drapery treatment on an otherwise okay window
• a dramatic wall color or faux finish or mural

Anything is a focal point that draws the eye and can be a basis from which to direct the room's orientation there by giving balance to the room.

Sometimes a room will have more than one focal point.

The first as you enter, and then once you are in the room.

For example, a family rooms with a fireplace and an entertainment center on the adjoining wall. Both in a sense are focal points. The fireplace takes your attention as you enter the room and when you are occupying the room the entertainment center more than likely is the thing that is being focused on since this is the family room and the room’s orientation.

Be careful not to create conflicting points of focus in the same room. Allow them to compliment each other and not compete for attention in the room.

If you do have a fireplace from which to draw, it can be a significant design element with many different styles that can define the personality of the room.

It could have an ornately carved marble facade to the unencumbered stone.

The mantel also supports the style of the room adding weight and substance to the fireplace. It may be a refined traditional molding, raw timber for the lodge look, slate for a sleek contemporary or minimalist with no mantel.

An interior decorating idea of arranging the mantel to be a part of the drama shows off favorite objects.

But be sure not to over do it. The mantel may only need a few tall pieces clustered to one side and a larger arrangement to the other for balance.

Some fireplaces can stand on their own like the fireplaces that are the floors to ceiling stone or marble.

If your fireplace has a mantel with a wall above, anchor it with a painting or mirror from which to draw the rest of the room.

The hearth is the floor in front of a fireplace.

It could be a slab of stone, brick tiles, marble or granite or glass blocks that protect the floor from sparks and burning embers, while adding character to room.

It can be raised to seat height and enhanced with a display and beautiful wrought iron, brass or pewter fire irons, that compliment the fireplace design.

The adjoining walls that support the fireplaces are sometimes used as a decorative backdrop. It could be the floor to ceiling bookcases, built ins or windows flanking either side.

Provide an additional dimension to the room with sconces as an interior decorating idea for highlighting this surrounding wall space.

When it isn't a fireplace season, keep the interior decorating idea of focus alive with accessories as the finishing touches.

• Use a fireplace screen, or decorative panels of etched glass, even hinged shutters in a cottage interior.
• A potted flowering plant or a silk orchid can be placed in the fire box or display a solitary object.

If you entertain put

• A collection of randomly sized pillar candles that can be lit for ambiance.

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