Why Home Accessories Matter

Style and Design 

There’s nothing more satisfying than being in a fully-designed space– where a clear, distinct style is evident through the choice of materials, tastefully selected furniture pieces, and how everything is put together creating a visual feast. Uniformity and consistency in design easily dignifies a person as a man of culture and taste. And with various design styles coming and going, coupled with the age of social media, a style making its way to the top trends in the world of interior design and architecture comes as no surprise. It’s easy to pinpoint which one is leading the race– and it is reflected through residential and commercial spaces. 

Take industrial design for example. For quite some time, it has become a recurrent trend over the years and people couldn’t seem to get enough of it. They all want their spaces to reflect the Starbucks aesthetic: wood finishes, dark, slate flooring, subtle metal finishes. The design has become a worldwide trend; a trademark that radiates warmth synonymous to a cozy environment. Another example is Scandinavian. A contrasting design style entirely opposite of the Industrial. It follows clean, functional design that is void of unnecessary flairs, also labeled as the Ikea aesthetic. Starbucks and Ikea. Even people who don’t know a thing about design could visualize what Starbucks and Ikea aesthetics appear like. 

Now, this is not to discourage you from pursuing common design styles if that’s what you’re leaning towards. You might be thinking, ‘how do I make my space look entirely my own?’ How can your personal haven separate itself from spaces that bear similar design, similar finishes? Common ground is always going to be inevitable. But additional touches like accessories, your personal trinkets, and that vase you thrifted at a dollar store make all the difference. 

Why Home Accessories Matter 

It’s all about personal association. People have their own set of memories, wherein they innately link one particular item to an event that brings them into a state of nostalgia. These personal items not only give life to a space, but it also represents the people that are living in that space. It adds to the unique, visual identity– a representation of you as an individual. Spaces have a tendency to look incomplete without these items. Ever heard of one saying that a space looks empty, despite looking at an already finished space? The lack of accessories in a room, void of any sign of life gives off a bare, incomplete look. This is the reason why there’s a separate stage in design where designers and stylists take the time to accessorize the space. They start by asking clients what their hobbies are, what they are fond of in order to incorporate it beautifully into the space. 

There are two types of accessories: functional accessories, and decorative ones. Whichever purpose it serves, these items work together in enhancing a space and at the same time, adds character to a home. Here are some examples of home accessories and what role they play in beautifying spaces:

Mirrors 

Reflective surfaces such as mirrors add depth to any space. Whether it is of considerable size or it spans from floor to ceiling, mirrors make spaces appear bigger than they actually are. Additionally, they also serve as a decorative element that completes a wall. For example, mirrors placed in entryways make last minute outfit checks possible before heading out. It eliminates the need to circle back inside the bedroom.

Photo by MirrorHomeDecorArt via Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1286002838/architectural-mirror-home-decor?epik=dj0yJnU9TTQwRmhzSTA4bkk1X1V4T3Y3bFdiY1NBNHliTWE xb2EmcD0wJm49NXZUa25mUS01WUFEak1XVFFlcERiUSZ0PUFBQUFBR08tT2Fz

Photo by The Wall Street Journal via: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-manhattan-townhouse-with-west-side-history-11550158725

Artwork 

No wall is complete without a striking artwork hanging on it. An artwork doesn’t have to be a Monet or a Seurat– it could be whatever piece that you resonate with that makes it appealing and personal. There are various themes one could choose from: abstract art, minimalist, landscape, or it could even be a family portrait. Art is a form of self-expression and having one or two inside your home elevates your spaces from dull to bright. You know how commercial owners commission artists to line their walls with art? It’s because these spaces aren’t complete without them.

Photo by YourARTatelier via: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/819052682/ready-to-ship-large-abstract-wall-art?epik=dj0yJnU9OWIwd2EyR0sxT2E3M2Ywd0Rvd3FnVDBLQn BtRlZ6ZzkmcD0wJm49MHBJRHNBSlVXMkVaQjZxMm1HbHExdyZ0PUFBQUFBR08tTzRn

Photo by: Donna Dotan Photography, Design by Stephen Sills via Architectural Digest: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/stephen-sills-101-west-78th-upper-west-side?epik=dj0yJnU9ZnVibzltUDdOYVY2UVZHa2NjbXlnO HhNbGs2T2JjYlcmcD0wJm49V2U4LUNJU2YwdlZiX3lFUVpDODFtdyZ0PUFBQUFBR08tTy1v

Books 

I dare you to name one residential space that has no bookshelf. You probably can’t. Most, if not all, homes have their own shelving unit stacked with books you’re not even sure if they’ve read. For some, it is merely a filler to fill up bookshelves but regardless of its intended purpose, books are a world in itself and it provides a sneak peek to a man’s personality. Books signify a well-read, knowledgeable person, and it makes for the perfect decorative piece to line rows and rows of open shelves.

Photo and Design by Alice Lane Interior Design via: https://www.alicelaneinteriordesign.com/parcell-home

Photo by Waiting on Martha via: https://waitingonmartha.com/8-tricks-for-killer-bookshelf-styling/

Rugs 

Soft and plush to the touch, rugs actually play an essential role in space planning. For open-plan spaces or compact units where the living area is just a few paces away from the dining area, a rug is placed where the sofa and coffee table are situated to provide a clear division between the two separate areas serving two separate purposes. It is an important furnishing piece that somehow encourages the statement, “one space, one use”.

Photo and Design by Kelly Wearstler and The Rug Company via Architectural Digest: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kelly-wearstler-new-collection-the-rug-company?epik=dj0yJnU9aXUzQnVUdkM2ZTBFbWktUUU3V XU1Q2l3ZVBZMGhMNmwmcD0wJm49SWlIOGJxZGtxTWJZYUp2Qi1SSWdsQSZ0PUFBQUFBR08tUDBN#intcid=recommendations_default-si milar2_ba576de2-cf98-4d4b-bc6f-329367ef565a_text2vec1_text2VecSimilarity

Photo by DigsDigs via: https://www.digsdigs.com/eclectic-living-rooms/pictures/149201/

Indoor Plants 

Plants by nature provide us with food, water, and medicine. While indoor plants don’t exactly provide us with these elements, having them inside our homes benefits our well being since people are naturally designed to be close to nature. Studies show that having indoor plants in our homes equals to having fresher air, and it helps with lowering our anxiety and increasing productivity. The presence of these lovely herbs provide not only beauty for the corners of our spaces or our tabletops, but it overall provides a positive impact that improves our quality of life. 

Photo by Tarina Wood via: https://www.instagram.com/oh.eight.oh.nine/

Photo by Arch Daily via: https://www.archdaily.com/875599/acola-store-vao/5954df27b22e38a46e0001c5-acola-store-vao-photo?next_project=no