For those who absolutely love the look of hotels and formal buildings, you may wish you could translate that extravagant elegance into your own home. Beautiful hardwood floors, intricately carved walls and ceilings, or deep baseboard molding may be the features you admire in formal homes. But there are several things you can change in your home to emulate those designs.
Homes and formal spaces are generally noted for the perfect symmetry of their furniture, windows, floors, and artwork. Usually these things are arranged seamlessly on a straight axis in perfect pairs throughout the room. With formal interiors, there is always a focal point that is built to capture the eye. It could be a stunning picture window looking directly onto a perfectly manicured lawn, or a fireplace sitting smack in the middle of a long wall, or even just a beautiful piece of furniture.
Formal decorating styles tend to look best in homes with high ceilings, tall or long windows, and other architectural features, such as paneled walls and large fireplaces. Formal decorations are made to capture the attention of others with the use of windows, doors and ultra-polished woods, as well as one-of-a-kind furniture that is of great interest.
With formal interiors, the accessories and furniture inside tend to be antiques or superior reproductions of antiques. Dark woods are used for a dark, rich look, while light woods are used primarily for decoration.
The highly polished floors are decorated with oriental rugs to add a touch of softness to the strong designs. Formal homes are often furnished with extravagant rugs made from quality fabrics. You can find a variety of oriental rugs to mimic the look of floors in the world’s most exquisite homes. Look for boldly colored rugs with deep reds, golds, and browns. Traditional designs are the best choice for a rug in a formal room.
If you love the look of formal houses, you can create that look in your own home if you bring the right materials. Furniture that is well upholstered can be softened with the help of comfortable and decorative pillows. Fabrics that look strong and lush can be used instead of velvets and silks. Practical pieces are still best for everyday wear, but various formal pieces can be added here and there to complete the look.
Fringe and formal trim are best for use on comfortable valances, pillows, and drapes, as well as upholstered furniture; while tassels and ruffles are better to use as accessories for table runners and tablecloths. Make sure the fabric you choose can be easily cleaned.
Try not to focus too much on choosing pieces that match the impeccable symmetry of the room. Instead, choose pieces that are fairly similar to each other in terms of style, size, and density. You can also arrange your furniture into pairs of tables, chairs, and lamps for a more formal look.
Painting techniques also make a big difference in decorating, as they can replicate the look of silk-covered walls in a more practical way. Make sure all your wooden furniture is made from dark woods like walnut, oak, and mahogany or exotic hardwoods. Make sure your furniture is always well polished and shiny. If your home is fairly active, add a couple coats of polyurethane or lacquer for a stronger finish. Use these simple steps to create formal appeal in your home decor. You don’t have to live in the White House to have a beautiful home. Just find simple ways to make the formal style translate into your everyday spaces.
