You have some ideas about your home renovation, yet you’re not sure that you can pull it off? You feel you can do it, but you just need a few more details on designing your home like a pro?
Well, it’s time to talk about the 3 essential tips to create a focal point that will make your room look fabulous.
WHAT IS A FOCAL POINT AND WHY DO YOU NEED ONE IN YOUR ROOM?
Have you heard before the expression “less is more”? Typically, it defines the modern-minimalistic design concept or, more recently, a way of lifestyle.
Now, you may think that you’re far from being a minimalist adept. Yeah, me too. But, let me tell you, the “less is more” idea is a great rule to follow in every interior design project, especially when you’d like to design a home that reflects your personality.
This concept is not about less furniture in a room or a sterile décor. It’s about making your room design harmonious, welcoming, and pleasing to the eye.
Have you ever had the feeling that a room’s design makes you tired or that something is not quite “right” in that space?
That’s where the focal point comes in. The focal point is the one that catches your eye the moment you walk into the room. It’s the first thing where your eyesight will reach and also the one that makes all the elements in the space work together. All the surrounding pieces of furniture or decor will complement the focal point.
To better understand what a focal point is and why you need one in your room, just think about the leading actress in a movie. She’s the “star”, the central piece that glues everything together, the one that makes the action go around her, and the one that makes you watch the show till the end.
Photo credit: Canva
TIP #1 - HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT FOCAL POINT IN A ROOM
You may think it’s tough to find a perfect focal point in your room, but you have to know that it’s much easier than you think. Just go back to the basics, to the first idea that made you start your makeover project. Let me help you out with an essential question: what is the mood or feeling that you want to create in the room?
Knowing the mood you want to create will help you find out what you want to highlight in your room. Is it a pre-existing focal point or something you want to add as furniture or decor?
Sometimes, a room may already have a “natural” interest point like a beautiful view that you’ll see from the windows or a built-in furniture piece like a fireplace. In this case, you can work with your natural focal point and concentrate your design to complement it. For example, place the main furniture(sofa and armchairs) on either side of the fireplace. Also, make sure the floor lines are perpendicular to it, as they will lead your eye towards that focal point.
Photo credit: Canva
In some rooms, the focal point will always be a piece of furniture. For example, in a bedroom, the bed is often considered the “star” of the room and will instantly attract your eye when you walk in.
Photo credit: Canva
In the kitchen, the island is the central piece, the “lead actress.” When you go into a kitchen, you’ll find all the action is happening around that island.
Photo credit: Canva
TIP #2 - HOW TO CREATE BY YOURSELF A FOCAL POINT IN A ROOM
“What if I don’t have a fireplace in my living room, neither a spectacular view? What shall I do?” you may ask. Well, you can make your own focal point from scratch. Let me tell you how.
Each room of your home has or needs a focal point. Starting from the hallway to the living room, to the bathroom, there are so many elements that you may use to define a place focal point:
- a beautiful entry door
- a large window with a spectacular view
- a fireplace
- a unique wall art
- a colorful rug
- wood beams
- an accent wall
- a statement chandelier
- a kitchen island
- a bed’s headboard
- a standalone bathtub
- even a staircase
Just remember, the focal point is there to help you keep the room decluttered and in perfect harmony. Now, you’ll understand why I said “less is more” is a great rule to follow in every interior design project.
Here you’ll have a few tricks you can use to create a focal point like a professional interior designer:
Play with colors. Use your room’s color scheme to enhance the focal point. For example, if you have light-colored furniture, choose bold colors for the wall art.
Choose an oversized canvas to stand out and make it your central piece of design. Take the colors used in that canvas and use them in different decoration pieces as their pillows, blanket, flower vases, table lamps, rug, or even for your accent chairs.
Photo credit: Canva
Paint a wall in an accent color to make it pop. Contrast is another way to create a focal point in a room where everything is boring. You can obtain contrast and a beautiful focal point also through sizes or patterns. If you get bored with the wall color, you can change it over the years without breaking the bank or replacing other furniture pieces. It’s easier and cheaper to paint a wall than to buy new furniture to refresh a room.
Photo credit: Qolorista 3D rendering
Photo credit: Qolorista 3D rendering
You can also use wallpaper to change the monotony in your room. If you look for dramatic effect, apply the wallpaper on the ceiling. Did you know the ceiling is the wall that you usually overlook but it can help you create the perfect vibe when you want a wow impact?
Photo credit: Qolorista 3D rendering
You’re a little bit afraid to use colors on your walls? No worries, instead of colors, you can add decorative wall paneling to create a beautiful accent wall.
Photo credit: Somproduct / Maesta
Use a large sofa as a statement piece and balance it with accent throw pillows to get the attention you want.
Photo credit: Canva
Place a standalone bathtub in a spacious area without other elements around it, where it’ll be the star of the bathroom. Positioning is also essential when you want to create the perfect focal point for your room.
Photo credit: Canva
Built-in shelves are perfect as focal points as you can use them not only for books but also for different collections or decorations.
Photo credit: Canva
In the dining room, you may combine a large dining table with a statement chandelier. If you don’t like the chandeliers in your dining room, you can use the ceiling to create the focal point or place a big statement mirror on a wall.
Photo credit: Canva
Photo credit: Qolorista 3D rendering
If you don’t have an island in your kitchen, you can play with the backsplash to add visual interest and attract attention. Use a colorful backsplash or a unique design to add charm and character to your interior design style. Not a fan of bold colors or patterned tiles? You can then create your focal point using your kitchen’s appliances as now they are functional and beautifully designed.
Photo credit: Canva
TIP #3 - HOW MANY FOCAL POINTS SHOULD BE IN A ROOM
It’s mandatory to have a central attraction point in a room, but this might mislead you into thinking that you should have only one focal point in your space. That’s actually not true.
You may have secondary focal points. However, the additional focal points will work only if they are placed in that space to enhance the primary one and not to compete for your attention.
When you walk into a space, your eyes will see at first glance a maximum of five elements. If you have created too many focal points in a room, your eyes will get tired fast, and you’ll get the impression that the room is a total mess. Remember that the focal point draws your attention first when you walk into a room. That’s why I would recommend having less than three focal points in a room.
For example, if you already have a fireplace and a beautiful window view in your room, don’t add a big and bright-colored sofa or paint an accent wall. It is better to highlight the fireplace by placing extra decor elements around it or on its mantel. Also, it would be best if you put the furniture on both sides of the fireplace to create a cozy conversation area.
Photo credit: Qolorista 3D rendering
Photo credit: Canva
Another example is using multiple focal points in your bedroom. Besides the king-size bed, which usually is the main focal point, if space allows you, add a fireplace as a secondary focal point with beautiful wall art above it.
Photo credit: Canva
If it’s hard for you to imagine how all the stuff you want to set in your room will look like, you should try to see a virtual version of it before purchasing any furniture. You can either use online tools by yourself or hire an E-Designer to help you.
Trust me. Like this, you’ll avoid costly design mistakes, such as: choosing the wrong armchairs that will not match your sofa, buying a dining table that’s bigger than your space, using too many patterns in a small room, etc.
All these details are often overlooked as they seem unimportant. But in real life, these small details will make the difference between “Wow” and “Meah” designs.
Hence, the 2D floor plans and 3D renderings may be essential for you if you’ll want to refresh your home any time soon. They’ll help you see the best configuration of your room instantly and without breaking the bank. You’ll also know for sure that you made the right decision to buy your favorite furniture pieces, and they all match together flawlessly.
Additional tip
Whatever you choose as focal points for your room, make sure it reflects your personality.
Wait, what?
Want to know how?
Check out my tailored E-Design services and have a sneak peek in my portfolio for ideas.