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Finish Your Decorating Project With Pizzazz

Find More Ways to Add Finishing Touches to Your Room

From , former About.com Guide

Finish Your Decorating Project With Pizzazz

A contrasting color draws the eye.

Adding the finishing touches to a room can really be fun. You can spend weeks or years finding just the right pieces to make your room perfect.

Read on and see if some of our suggestions will help you find the pieces that add character and personality to your room.

  • Accessorize, Accessorize
    Go around the house and gather everything that looks interesting. Clocks, books, flowers, figurines, pots, mugs, and pictures really go a long way in brightening up a room. Try the pieces all around until you find just the right spot. Then if you still have a bare tabletop, shop at stores or online for just the right piece.

  • Spectacular Lighting
    Instead of simple boring overhead lighting or a basic lamp, try for drama with interesting spot lights, ceiling track lighting, and decorative lamps. Focus lighting on works of art, light up a dark corner on a bookshelf, and add dimmers to wall switches.

  • Old Architectural Elements
    If you just don't want any more pictures, you might think about finding some pieces of architectural salvage. Place an interesting old iron fence section on the wall behind the sofa, use corner shelf supports for a bookshelf, cut wide baseboard molding for a mirror frame, mount cut-glass door knobs to hang hats at the entry. These are just a few of the ways you can use interesting old salvage pieces to decorate a new room.

  • One Unique Antique
    Add character to a boring room with one unique antique piece. You'd be surprised how an old chair, side table, wall shelf, lamp, or set of china will turn into a focal point and turn a room from drab to delightful.

  • Custom Stencils and Faux Painting
    If you're an artist, or willing to give it a try, add color with a hand-painted border, faux details, or color accents. If you're not artistic, use some of the new wonderful stencils and provide interest with wall words, vines, or floral motifs.

  • Add Interest Above
    Draw the eye upward with a dramatic ceiling medallion. Draw a high ceiling down with faux ceiling beams. And add color and design with stenciling around the ceiling.

Always Keep Your Eyes Open
Who knows when you might find something wonderful for your room? Make plans to shop flea markets. Keep a list with you at all times with the items you're looking for or areas you'd like to fill. You're bound to find just the right thing when you least it!

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