Ever wonder what magic tricks interior designers have up their sleeves? There’s no secret. It’s just an understanding of what’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and why. And like so many things in life that work well, it’s all about balance. Considering where you place objects – your favorite things – is key to pulling off a professional looking interior design.

When hanging artwork, first look at the big picture. Make sure the scale of the piece doesn’t over- or underwhelm the wall where it will live. Ask yourself if the content and colour of the art complement the room as a whole. Typically, artwork should hang at eye level. But don’t discount the occasional element of surprise by positioning an eye-catching picture above a doorframe, or running an elongated series of images over a desk, serving as an exaggerated architectural element.

When creating a collage of artwork, find a common denominator that runs through the collection such as similar framing, matting or subject matter. A connecting thread may be the collective uniqueness of the featured items – some of the most dramatic statements are made this way. A smart plan is to lay out your vision for the wall on the floor first, or have a friend hold up your artwork before nailing away. Then stand back and see what you think. If it feels right, it probably is – if not, the composition may need small tweaks here and there. Take your time to get it right. After all, this is the part of the room that expresses your personality and adds the wow factor.

Think twice about the amount of colour. Stick to one main hue in the room and a complementing accent colour or two – anything more can overly complicate the overall design. Another simple, yet ultra-sophisticated, approach is to introduce one single colour in varying shades for quiet impact.

However you decide to leave your signature stamp on your interior design, remember that properly placed artwork and an oh-so-right aesthetic is well worth your while – and one that may even turn out to be sheer bliss.

Source: Coldwell Banker Blue Matter