Don't forget about the finishing touches.

Monday, July 20, 2009

You've spent hours and a certain amount of money getting the room redecorated just the way you want it, only it doesn't look complete... what's missing?

Many people focus on the big things in a room, the furniture, the paint, the flooring... but forget about some of the simple touches that make a room "finished."

Sometimes it can take a few hours, other times it can take a whole lifetime to find the right finishing touches for a room. And you'd be surprised where you'll find some of the best treasures.

Think of it as adding jewellery after you've finished creating the perfect outfit.

A few ideas of finishing touches that add that special something to an almost finished room:

- Collectibles or themes - if you have a special passion, consider adding them to the room. Just be careful that you don't let the room become crowded.

- Living plants - are a great way to soften and add life to a room. Pay attention to the lighting conditions while selecting a plant that will thrive in the space.

- Unique wall hangings. Paintings and photos are great, but consider something a bit more unusual. Perhaps a garden plaque that you love, a piece of reclaimed wood or a unique antique. Tapestries make a great wall decor because of their aesthetic and acoustic qualities, and metal wall art is quickly becoming a hot buy, in both rustic and contemporary designs.

- Fill a bowl for a central focus. Take a collection of things, which can be as inexpensive and plentiful as pine cones from the forest (careful to clean and de-bug them before bringing them into the house). Paint them different (but coordinating) colors for additional interest.

- Keep a vase handy for fresh flowers. There are few things that are as welcoming as a bouquet of fresh, fragrant flowers.

There are many more options for adding those finishing touches... don't forget to have fun and buy what you love. The more things in a room that you love, the more you will love your room.