Curating a Focal Point

Not every room needs a focal point, but it does draw attention in the room to set the mood. In fact, a room’s focal point is easy to spot and can give a dramatic effect or establish the theme in a space. Typically, your focal point will be opposing the main entrance of a room. Some rooms will already have focal points in place through the architecture of the house-this could be a fireplace, a chandelier, or even a window with a scenic view. Other focal points can be created by your design, such as your television, headboard, artwork, television, or wallpaper. You can enhance the focal point by allowing your furniture to complement and symmetrically revolve around it. If you have a room lacking a focal point or are looking to enhance an already existing one, here are three ways to get the attention it deserves:

Color and Contrast

Our eyes are naturally drawn to color. Colors can have psychological effects on the atmosphere and set the mood. In fact, you can enhance a focal point by painting one wall a different color in the room-this would be called your accent wall. With your focal point being on the accent wall, you are sure to draw attention to it. Picture a room with a fireplace. If the room were all light blue walls with a dark blue fireplace wall, your attention would be drawn towards it. Likewise, contrast can also demand attention. White and black are the most opposing colors, yet contrast can be made with any color. Adding contrast to your focal point will demand attention. Using a black canvas painting on a white wall will make the artwork pop and give the focal point more depth.

Lighting

Use accent lighting to make your focal point have more depth. Rail lighting and spotlights can help make a focal point feel even more dramatic. Use accent lighting for backlighting or uplighting your focal point as well-this can give the artwork a halo effect. Remember, your accent light is used to highlight the strengths of your room. While you never want your room to feel too dim, you can make areas of your room feel more impactful and set more ambiance with less light and stronger accent lighting.

Geometrical Difference

Lastly, geometrical variation can set a mood in the room. If you put a large rectangular mirror above the fireplace as your focal point, try to replicate the geometrical influence of that rectangle throughout the room. Square off your furniture, add a rectangular coffee table, even allow patterns in the room to have rectangles in them. This simple trick may not be easily spotted, but our subconscious can easily identify repetition in the room.

Simple ways to create the best focal point is having it at eye level. Your furniture and theme should be arranged to face your focal point. If your focal point has a pattern or color to it, allow that to be reflected throughout the design. Remember, your focal point is there to balance the design and draw attention. Help enhance your focal point by allowing it to help improve the atmosphere!