Focal Points: Why They’re Important and How to Create One
Defining a focal point in a room is easy to do. There are many options to choose from, some of which only require a little rearranging of the furniture. Here are some ideas on how you can create a fantastic focal point in any room of your home.
Focal Point Decorating Tips
Accent wall
An accent wall is an easy, effective way to create a focal point in a room. There are many options for creating an accent wall. You could paint it in a bold color or a color a few shades lighter or darker than the rest of the walls, wallpaper it, or apply wood, stone or a faux finish to it. Not only will this give you a beautiful focal point, but it will also give the room more character and a designer touch.
Artwork
A large piece of artwork or a gallery wall is the quickest way to create a focal point. A beautiful piece of art will draw your eye as soon as you walk into the room and can hold a lot of personality. You can tell a lot about a homeowner by the art that they choose. It’s also a great jumping off point for the rest of your décor. As a bonus, you can easily switch it out whenever you get tired of it to keep things fresh.
A large piece of furniture
You may already have a large piece of furniture in a room that can serve as a focal point if things are rearranged a bit. In a bedroom, the bed is always the focal point. To make it stand out even more, hang a piece of art over it. In a living room, an entertainment center or built-in shelving look great as a focal point. In a dining room, a china cabinet or buffet table could do the trick.
A view
Everyone loves a beautiful view. If you have windows or doors that showcase one in a room, take advantage of it by arranging the furniture around it and turning it into your focal point. Make sure nothing is obstructing it so that your gaze is immediately drawn to it as soon as you walk into the space.
Architectural element
Architectural elements also work well as focal points, such as a fireplace, exposed brick wall, built-in shelving or a large bank of windows. If the view out the windows is unattractive, frame them with curtains in a beautiful pattern or color so that your attention stays inside rather than venturing out to the view.