The focal point of a room is one of the most important elements of interior design and should never be underestimated.
Put simply, this is the star of the space. It is the first thing that your visitors see when they enter the room, giving their eye something to rest on, and it is the focal point around which you construct the rest of your design. It also offers little clues as to the homeowner’s personality or hides an unwanted design element that cannot be otherwise removed.
With that in mind, it’s important to make sure that you have chosen the right location for this showcase. This post will help; it contains everything you need to know about finding the right focal point for your design. Believe us when we say that mastering this step will make a big difference to your house.
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Highlight the best feature
Ideally, the rooms in your home have an integrated focal point. In that case, all you need to do is build your decor and design in such a way that it highlights the existing feature. This also makes it much easier to determine how to set out a room.
Some of the most common types of built-in focal points are:
Windows and Outdoor Views: Views are a natural choice for a focal point. Irrespective of what else is in the room, the eyes fly there naturally. If you are lucky enough to have this kind of view, all you need to do is allow the windows to be as wide and unobscured as possible.
Fireplaces: Fireplaces can ground the room. Be sure to arrange a sitting area around the fire and, if possible, use a daring piece of art above the mantle. If you do not have a fire, you might have an area that just cries out for a log burner. Many places offer Log Burner Installation, so you can have that cozy focal point.
Built-in shelving: A lot of the time, shelving and fireplaces go hand-in-hand. Even if this is not the case, the idea is still quite close. Start by creating a seating area around the shelving, and be sure to customise your style.
Create your own focal point
Other times, there are no built-in features to emphasize, and this is where you need to create one of your own. While this takes a little more effort, it’s far from impossible. Again, there are a lot of options to choose from, so choose the one that works best for you.
Accent walls: Accent walls have always been a common focal point option. Generally, if there are no built-in features to work with, an accent wall can be created on the furthest wall from the entrance to the room. Be sure to use vibrant paint or wallpaper to draw attention.
Artwork: A bold piece of art or a mirror will hold a space on its own. In this scenario, you’ll want to make sure that the piece you choose is large enough to fit the wall on which it is mounted. It should be placed at eye level and, whenever possible, you should add accent lighting to make the piece even more visible.
Statement of furniture: A large piece of unusual or bold furniture can serve as a fantastic focal point. This is usually the case in the dining rooms and bedrooms, where there is obviously a central piece of furniture in the room. Here, you’ll want to add accents like a table centrepiece or some pillows to the bed to help you draw the eyes.
Focal point faux pas: the things to avoid
Besides knowing how to create a focal point like a champ, it is important to know what traps to avoid. Here, we have outlined some of the most common mistakes that tend to confuse a coherent design.
Having more than one focal point: when a room has two separate functioning areas— for example, a kitchen and a dining area — it can be tempting to create two separate focal points. But that could confuse the eye and be distracting. Typically, the space should have one central focus, with a secondary one, if appropriate. In that case, the focal point should be part of the primary use.
Forgetting to frame the area: even if your room has an integrated focal point, it is up to you to add the extra details to make sure that the eyes always fall where they are supposed to be. To draw attention, add additional design elements around your chosen point.
Leaving out lighting: Every focal point should have its own lighting source to help it stand out.
Scaling too wrong: It is all too common for magnificent focal windows to be dressed with window treatments that are too small, or for a wall to be hung with a piece of art that is too big or too small. Not scaling the space and dressing it correctly can create a jarring note, that throws the whole room out.
Focusing solely on colour: Bright, bold colour splashes are undoubtedly interesting and natural focal points but do not make the mistake of forgetting about patterns or textures. Neutrals can become powerful focal points for the eye when the texture is strong. Patterns, whether they are white or bright, can be just as interesting. In fact, perhaps even more so, as the eye tends to be relaxed by the natural movement in repeated patterns.
Picking out a focal point is one of the most important parts of interior design— and for very good reason. This spot is the first thing that people can see when they enter the room, and it is the heart of your layout. A few small changes can help you elevate your design to the next level.
Do you want to include focal points in your designs? If so, do you have any tips of your own to add to this?
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Disclosure: This is a partnered post
