How Do I Arrange My Accessories?

I often receive calls from clients who don’t know how to arrange their accessories on tables, over kitchen cabinets, in bookcases and hutches, on top of entertainment centers or on plant shelves. Here are a few tips for creating well-balanced groupings.

First, if attempting to correct a grouping, remove all of the accessories and start fresh. If placing items on a table top or on top of kitchen cabinets, entertainment centers or hutches, place the largest items of the grouping either in the center or on the ends. Add in your other items keeping the smaller items in the front. You can use candles, pictures, books, ceramic vases, jugs, wrought iron pieces, greenery, and wicker baskets. You get the idea. Vary your textures and shapes to make the grouping more interesting. Also try to work in one of your main accent colors to integrate the grouping into your room. If your room is dark, think about adding an appropriately–sized mirror on a stand or easel. It will help reflect light.

Make sure to balance your items – you don’t want all of the big tall pieces on one side. If an item is too small, prop it on a book or two in your accent color to add height. Step back after adding a few pieces at a time to ensure that the area has color and object balance. Another good idea is to complement your grouping with some of the new vinyl wall graphics to a wall near your grouping. It just completes the look and should get you many compliments from neighbors and friends. I will be adding some shortly to an area over my kitchen cabinets and will feature it on my blog when completed.

Below are some pictures of groupings I have done for clients and myself.

When accessorizing shelves, it’s also important to vary texture, size, and shape of items used to create harmony and balance. Try to rhythm your accent color on your shelves without going overboard. Don’t crowd too many items on the shelves. Odd numbers of items work best if you can fit them. However, it’s ok to have one or two items on a shelf. If using books, stack some of them vertically and some horizontally. Arrange books vertically graduating from the largest book on the outside to the smallest on the inside. Intersperse greenery throughout your shelves without being excessive. If the back of your shelves is a dark color, place light-colored items on the shelf and vice versa. Below are some of my bookcases and hutches I have done for myself and clients.