So, you’ve just bought a house, and it’s gorgeous. Everything is on point, from the unique and captivating design to the detailed finishing. But that’s not enough to make it into your home. This is a process that requires a strategic approach to your interior décor.
While the primary objective is to personalize and make the house comfortable, you also want to add aesthetic appeal and elegance. In essence, add to the appeal of the house. With the right approach, you’ll achieve something special; the ‘wow factor.’ This is when your house is strikingly appealing that people just can’t help but marvel at its exquisite beauty.
It is for this reason that the global home interior design industry is worth $121 billion . Moreover, it’s growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.75%.
Are you about to buy a house, move into a new home, or perhaps you want to add some pizzazz to your home? If yes, read on to find some insightful tips on adding the wow factor to your home.
1. Use Art to Fill the Walls
Arguably the simplest and most effective way of making a house gain some uniqueness is adding wall art. With the right art pieces, you can personalize each room and make it feel complete. On top of adding style, you can also use art to influence the mood in each room.
For instance, if you want a room to be livelier, use art with bright colors. On the other hand, you can use darker shades to make a room somber. This is especially effective for your home office.
Due to art’s diverse and dynamic nature, almost anything can pass as art. The most important thing is your execution. As you choose art pieces, be sure that each complements and connects with your overall interior décor theme.
Moreover, you can use art to great effect as a focal piece. For this, you’ll need a huge piece of art that stands out. Here, you have two main options. You can use something big and bold that will have heads glued to it or a big art piece of something sentimental, perhaps a family portrait.
2. Have a Statement Piece in Each Room
With interior décor, every element you add is an ingredient in the recipe designed to make the design as a whole come to life and stand out. But, as with each recipe, there’s always the main ingredient. While you can substitute some spices when making chicken, you can’t do it without the chicken.
That’s exactly the same with interior décor. With each room, you need to have the statement piece. While it’s a part of the décor as a whole, it also stands out. This is what the other décor elements will serve to accentuate.
Some of the things you can use a statement pieces include:
- Large paintings
- Photography
- Antique or oversized mirrors
- Rug hung on the wall
The objective of the statement piece is to serve as a focal point. As such, it must easily stand out in the room. One of the best ways to ensure this is by placing it in front of a wall with a nice but contrasting color.
3. Add Color and Texture
If there’s one thing you have to get right with interior design is color. Sadly, there are so many ways to go wrong with color. For instance, if you use too many colors, rooms will look disjointed and confused. On the other hand, if your color selection is too dull, it will suck the life out of the room.
So, how do you get it just right?
Even if your theme is relatively neutral, it can do with some bright colors. Adding some color will make the design pop, making it even easier to appreciate the elegance of the color scheme. So, find ways to integrate bright and eye-catching colors into your design.
The best part of this décor tip is that it’s easy to execute as you can:
- Add a brightly colored wall hanging
- Use brightly colored furniture
Alternatively, if you want to stick with the neutral color scheme, you can use texture to add some elegance. This can be done using textured wallpaper or furniture. You’ll be surprised at how your house will feel a lot more welcoming once you add some texture.
4. Get Oversized or Statement Light Fixtures
Unlike in the past, lighting features are not just for lighting. Instead, they’ve evolved from simple and modest functional items to a key part of interior décor.
Modern lighting fixtures are great focal points and can add the wow factor if used well. Consider lighting the jewelry for each room, and there are different ways to use them. To begin with, you can add some character to a room by using small but clustered lighting fixtures. Then, for even more uniqueness and personality, go for those with distinctive finishes and shapes.
On the other hand, you can opt for large lighting fixtures with a unique design. Then, to stand out even more, place it in a relatively open space in the house.
5. Use Plants
At times, there is no better way to add life to a room than doing just that; add life. If you’re thinking snakes and spiders, you can relax. It’s not that kind of life. It’s about using plants to make rooms livelier. In addition to being incredible décor elements, they’re also inexpensive.
With plants, you can use small or large specimens or a combination of both. This will add another layer of depth to the room. Small and medium plants congregated at one spot can serve as a focal point. On the other hand, you can add some drama and height with large plants.
Also, the plants do not necessarily have to be green or beautiful. You can use such unique plants to add a distinctive element to your house. However, don’t overdo it with the latter option.
6. Add Depth Using Mirrors
Another simple yet effective way of adding depth and beauty to a room is using mirrors. If ideally placed in a position where one least expects, you’ll be sure to get gasps out of your guests.
Moreover, you can use mirrors to make a room seem larger or even unending. To achieve this effect, you’ll need to use a large mirror custom fit for a specific position. Such a position may be on either side of the fireplace or a niche wall. For maximum effect, the mirrors should have small frames. People will feel like they can step right through it.
7. Incorporate Large Windows
While interior décor’s primary focus is inside the house, don’t forget the outdoors. If you live in a scenic neighborhood, you can use this to your advantage. Have large windows and doors to allow people to enjoy the view from inside.
Large windows also let in much-needed natural light, brightening up the house. In addition, they make the home feel larger and help connect it with nature.
8. Find Something That’s Just One of a Kind
While there should be a discernible theme or pattern to your interior décor, you can also use something out of the ordinary to achieve the wow factor. With a bit of boldness and creativity, this is where you can stamp your signature on the design. Something like a simple sculpture or transitional furnishings will do.
It’s All About Creativity and Strategy
If you can manage to add the wow factor in your house, it’ll be hard to put a price on the aesthetic value it adds. However, this does not mean it should be expensive. If you have a clear idea of what you hope to achieve, all you’ll need is some creativity and guts to test different ideas.