SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS OF DECORATIVE TERMS WHEN ACCESSORIZING

I’ve spent a LOT of time writing blog posts on how to decorate everything from bookshelves and mantels to side tables and walls and found that I was referring to the SAME concepts again and again, without any real LANDING page for all of those guidelines and rules. So I made one!

This is a BRIEF post, designed to give you the general description and application of each term. I have in-depth details and photos in much larger blog posts, they’re just spread out amongst 3-4 articles, whereas the info is all in one spot here for you! THAT BEING SAID, I fully encourage you to read MORE about these ideas in the links provided BEFORE you tackle a big decorating project!

1. DECORATIVE TRIANGLE

A Decorative Triangle is when you place three items with the goal of them visually connecting. Once everything is in place, you should be able to draw a line between the pieces and create a triangle.

If you want to learn MORE about Decorative Triangles and see some pretty pictures, check out this blog post…

How to Decorate a Mantel: 4 Guidelines to Follow

2. STACKING & LAYERING

STACKING

Stacking is placing one item on top of another and almost ALWAYS applies to books. You would use an odd number of books (often coffee table style books vs small novels) and put them in a stack. You’d then top them with a smaller decorative item, one that doesn’t come close to overlapping the edge of the books. If you are to draw a quasi-triangle, the decorative item would be the PEAK of the triangle.

LAYERING

Layering (sometimes called staggering – which is what I do on Friday nites after my two token glasses of wine), is a way to add depth and interest to your decorative triangle

The tallest item goes at the back of the display (it’s the anchor)
The second-largest item goes to the right or left of the anchor (this is a secondary piece)
The final item goes in front of the last two pieces (this is the finishing piece). It can also go UNDER one of the other pieces if you want to use a book

Want to learn more about stacking and layering before you tackle that bookcase or mantel? Read about it in this blog post…

How to Create a Decorative Vignette

3. THE RULE OF THREE AND ODD NUMBERS

The Rule of Three and Odd Numbers states that odd numbers look better than even numbers. This is always a tough one as there are MANY EXCEPTIONS – sometimes two of something is perfect, sometimes FOUR of something is even better! However, when you’re beginning your decorating adventures, using odd numbers in your decor is a great way to learn how to layer, stagger and create a decorative triangle – and you can branch out from there.