One of the biggest home decorating dilemmas is how to arrange
your accessories, whether it be a bookcase, shelf, or tabletop.
Here is a three step system that will transform your boring or
cluttered spaces into charming vignettes!

Harmony and Contrast

When arranging a space with accessories, one has to keep in
mind that the most important thing to avoid here is boredom!
This has a lot less to do with the objects you choose than how
you choose to display them. To keep an arrangement from putting
the neighbors down for their afternoon nap, remember to keep a
balance of harmony (things that feel like they go together,
like similar colors or styles) and contrast (things that spice
things up by being different…smooth against texture, round
against straight line, et…) You want a bit of both in your
arrangement. Perhaps you could create harmony by repeating a
square shape or the color purple, and then add contrast by
sitting a smooth candlestick next to a rough basket.

Scale and Shape

Make sure that the items you are using fit into their new homes
scale…you don’t want one tiny paperweight on a large kitchen
table, and you want to steer clear of using a huge ceiling high
arrangement of flowers on a tiny end table. Most people tend to
use things that are too small for their surroundings however.
If you have small accessories you would like to display, but
need to give them more oomph in the arrangement, try grouping
them on a plate or a fabric covered box. You can also give them
height by perching them atop stacked books or baskets.

Layer and Soften

Once you’ve chosen your objects for the space following the
design principles above, now it’s time to layer and soften.
Start with a larger, taller piece slightly off center…this will
be the defining piece in your arrangement. Now work to the outer
edges in layers…Add a taller background layer, a middle sized
medium height layer, and your tiniest objects in the front.
Keep the eye moving up and down as it purveys the arrangement
from left to right for interest. Add some fabric or twisted
ribbon to soften the edges of the shelf or table, to bring in
color, and to highlight certain objects.

Above all, keep trying new combinations of items until you find
an arrangement that works for you. Use things in unusual ways.
Tuck flowers or a live plant into an arrangement that seems too
static. Even professional designers will occasionally be
surprised by trying things in a new way! And remember, if your
arrangement still looks cluttered and lost, chances are you are
trying to display too much. Develop a prop box or closet where
you can keep some of your treasures, and switch them our a
couple of times a year for a fresh new look without spending a
dime! For an example photo of accessory arrangement, visit this
page on our website at
http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com/arrange_accessory.html


About The Author: Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and
editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of free budget
decorating ideas, visit her at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com. Be sure to sign up for her
free newsletter while you’re there!

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