7 ways accessories can transform any home

​Accessories are the finishing touches that give your home personality, from art and ornaments to lamps and cushions. Interior designers pay special attention to accessories because we know they’re really important! Often, they’re the first thing you notice when you enter a room. They’re the details that pull the style together.
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Here are 7 easy ways to give your own home a unique look with accessories:

1. Don't display everything at once

Accessories are a bit like jewellery, if you display everything all at once the effect is confused and overdone. Instead, keep some accessories in storage and swap them every so often. Not only does this stop your home feeling cluttered, it means you won’t get bored with your surroundings.

A good way to revive your accessories is to change them according to the season. Think rich textures in deep festive colours for winter, and fresh linens and pastel accents for spring:
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​2. Keep it simple with a statement accessory 
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If you prefer a minimalist home or don’t want the fuss of arranging too many ornaments, choose one statement accessory as your focal point. 
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​Art is an easy way to express your personality and bring impact to your room. Coordinate with a few cushions in the same colour palette and you’re done! Investing in an area rug is another great way to make a statement. Choose one that’s the right proportion for your room, and arrange your furniture around it.

3. Make accessories work for you
 
Some accessories are purely decorative, but many have a function too, like lamps, bowls and cushions. Make sure your functional accessories are in a position to be used so you can make the most of them. Check lamps are at the right height and cushions layered for comfort.

Practical accessories are also a great way to style rooms where décor can sometimes be a bit neglected, like kitchens and bathrooms. Think artful displays of cooking utensils, and pretty soap dispensers: 
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4. Set the mood
 
Where you choose to display your accessories can create balance in your room, and help set the mood too. 
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​To achieve a balance, look around your room to see which areas seem empty and lack decoration. These are the areas that will benefit from accessories. Experiment by moving items around, and avoid overcrowding your space by positioning largest accessories first, then the smaller pieces.

Accessories arranged symmetrically promote a sense of peace and harmony. Creating an asymmetrical look is fun and quirky, and adds visual interest to a plain room:
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5. Tell a story
 
Accessories are your chance to tell a story about who you are, so why not choose pieces that are meaningful to you? You might want to use heirlooms, photographs or accessories you’ve picked up while travelling. Not only does this make your space unique, having things you love on display also means you’ll enjoy your home more.

Your accessories can reflect your interests too.  If you love music for example, you might choose to put a framed vinyl cover or instruments on display.  
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​6. Group accessories together
 
While oversized accessories have impact on their own, smaller ones can look lost in a large room.  Group these into eye-catching displays in a variety of sizes, shapes or textures. 
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If you’ve a collection of similar objects, stagger the heights for visual appeal and group in odd numbers; groups of 3 are especially pleasing to the eye. You can also add interest by varying their position. For example if you’ve a shelf of books standing upright, stack some on their sides instead.

​7. Enhance your room’s style 
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​If you want your room to have a distinctive style or theme, accessories have the power to complete it. But they can work the opposite way, too! For example, a modern lamp in an otherwise vintage room will diminish the overall effect.

So when you’re on the lookout for new accessories, think how they will coordinate with your existing décor before you buy. Even if you’ve a vibrant boho or eclectic style, choose a common element such as colour that will connect them visually. If in doubt, plants add character and life to a room, and they’ll work with any style.
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​​I hope you’ve found these tips useful, and you have fun creating a unique look in your home with those all-important finishing touches! Have you used accessories to coordinate your style? Have you some unique pieces on display? I’d love to see your favourites in the comments.