Visual Weight in Home Decor
by Pamela Cole Harris

Did you ever enter a room that "feels" heavy? (The first one
that makes a comment about my ample bottom being in the room
gets three lashes with a lava lamp!) Or walked into a room that
gave you the impression of being too intense? Visual weight is
another one of those design principles that concern your first
impressions of a room, but it is one that - when used
appropriately - can make your room pleasing to the eye.

Here is how to make sure the visual weight in your room doesn't
overwhelm your visitors:

1. Large objects in the room are visually heavier than small
ones. So, unless your room is large (we are talking ballroom
here!), balance the large objects with smaller ones to create
balance.

2. If a fabric or construction material is actually heavy, it
will have more visual weight as well. This even applies to
upholstery fabrics. So use lighter weight fabrics in a small
room to avoid giving the impression that the room is too
restricted.

3. Dark, warm and intense colors appear heavier than light,
cool, muted colors. That means that in a large room, you can
go for those dark red walls! In a smaller room, a cool yellow
might be just the right color! (And I am going on the record
as saying - NO room deserves fushia!)

4. Complex patterns in upholstery fabric, wallpaper, carpeting
or rugs seem heavier than plain solid colors. So stick with
simple patterns and solid colors in small rooms. In large
one, anything goes! (Except that flocked mod psychedelic
retro pattern you've been thinking about!)

5. Opaque materials seem heavier than transparent ones. Glass
tables will work wonderfully in small rooms, while wooden
ones seem just right in a large room!

When you redesign your next room, be sure to keep in mind the
visual weight of your design. It can make the world of
difference in how your room "feels" to those who enter it.
Hmmm…do you think they have an Atkins diet for my husband's
garage? We could certainly afford to lose a few tons! (Of
HIS stuff, of course!)

Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer and decorator for
thirty-five years (YIKES! Has it been that long?). She is the
author of "Home and Garden Design Tips", a free weekly syndicated
home and garden content service for your website. Get the code at
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com/content_syndication.html .
And while you are there, sign up for her monthly newsletter! And
visit her other sites at http://www.pajamabusinesses.com and
http://www.thewellfedtraveler.com .

This article courtesy of http://about-atkins.com.
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