How to arrange accessories

You may have walked into homes that have beautiful accessories but they still look off. Décor accessories make a great addition to any home, but only if they are arranged correctly.

One dilemma many people have is how to arrange their accessories whether it is on the coffee table, mantle or bookshelf. An empty space looks dull and boring, while an overcrowded one appears unclean and messy. There are, however, ideas you can use to create a beautiful display of your collectibles to enhance your décor and create the perfect environment for you and your family.

Harmony/contrast: Your idea when arranging accessories is to avoid boredom. Put things that agree on colour, shape or style together. Spice things up by adding contrasting objects. A bit of both in your arrangement will be quite appealing. An example of creating harmony could be repeating a circle shape or the colour orange. Add a contrast to this by placing a round object near a square one.

Scale and shape: The item you place should be proportional in size with the space...you don’t want a tiny centerpiece on a large dining table or a large painting on a small wall. Match things according to their size. Don’t use things that are too small for their surroundings. Small accessories should be arranged in groups on a plate or a tray. Alternatively, give them height by perching them atop stacked books, box or a basket.

Layer: Layer and soften your accessories by placing the largest/ tallest objects at the back and the tiniest at the front. The larger pieces define your arrangement. Work to the outer edges in layers with a taller background layer, medium height for middle layer, and the tiniest in front. Add a splash of colour throughout the objects to soften things up.

Size: Display your collectibles symmetrically where everything is the same size and colour. This offers a modern, elegant look. Asymmetrical groupings, on the other hand, work best in casual or gracefully over each of them.

Moderation: Never over-accessorize. Too many accessories are equivalent to clutter. Choose your accessories sparingly and rotate them on a regular basis; maybe monthly.

Your love: Only display what you love. When you accessorize your home, you do it for yourself, not your guests. If you love it, show it, otherwise, get rid of it.

A space at a time: To void a cluttered look, accessorize one space at a time. Think about what and where you are placing the objects. Once done, take a step back and look at the impact then add another or remove if it looks crowded.

Odd number groupings: One, three, five, seven...yes the odd numbers. Arrange your accessories in odd numbers.

Always try new combination of objects until you find an arrangement that you love. If the arrangement looks cluttered, you may be displaying too much. Get a closet to keep your treasures and then rotate them once in a while.