Choosing a Focal Point for Your Home

The focal point is one of the most important elements in home décor. It's the first thing a viewer notices upon entering your home, and usually the first thing they remember upon leaving. It also helps you set a décor theme, or if you already have one, it ties all the elements together for a complete, professionally finished look. But how do you find your home's focal point, and how can you make it do its job?

Start by looking around each room and identifying the points of interest. Sometimes there's a "natural" focal point in a room-these are usually interesting architectural features such as a uniquely shaped corner or a cozy-looking alcove. It could also be a window with a view, some nice cornicing or wainscoting on the walls, or a sloped ceiling. Anything unusual can be made into a focal point with a bit of creative planning.

If the room is really plain, you can get ideas from the furnishings you already have or plan to add in the future. For example, your kitchen would probably have a countertop or island counter, which can easily be the focal point. Choose a countertop material that matches or complements your current color scheme. Or if the room is big enough, you can set aside a corner or bar area where people can sit and talk while waiting for dinner.

Furniture also makes a great focal point, especially for the living room. Often, you can change the look of your existing furniture by getting new upholstery or adding a slipcover with an interesting color or pattern. Sometimes, the furniture itself is enough to catch the eye-maybe it has an interesting wood finish or some intricate molding. If that's the case, you draw attention to it by just putting a matching rug underneath.

If you have a patch of bare wall, consider turning it into a "feature wall" and making it the focal point. Feature walls are simply designed differently from the rest of the wall, either with a different color or texture. You can use it to display wall art or photos, or simply hang a piece of wall fabric. Choose a design that matches or complements your wall colors to make it more noticeable.