The atmosphere of a room isn't determined solely by major elements like walls, floors, and furniture.
Just adding a "pinch" of color or texture can make a space feel much richer.
The role of "accent in the interior" is to fulfill this function.
An accent is something that draws the eye with its color, shape, or texture, and gives rhythm and change to a space that tends to become monotonous. Even items that aren't particularly large, such as cushions, rugs, lighting, potted plants, or figurines, can have a surprisingly significant effect. Adding just one can create a theme for the room and make the impression more striking.
This time, we will delve into the role and effect of "accent pieces for the interior," tips on how to choose them, and how to use art posters, which are easy to incorporate into your everyday life.
The effects of accentuation
Create a focal point for the eye . When you look at the entire room, it's easier to see the space as organized if there's a point that naturally catches your eye.
For example, simply having a piece of art on a white wall or a vibrant cushion on the sofa can make that area the "showpiece" of the room. By organizing the flow of sightlines, many people feel a sense of security and find the space more comfortable.
Change the seasonal feeling and atmosphere . You can express the four seasons with colors and materials, such as pale colors in spring, cool blue in summer, deep brown and orange in autumn, and warm red and gold in winter.
Incorporating the changing seasons adds rhythm and richness to life.
As a side note, Japanese homes tend to use more subdued colors like white and wood grain compared to homes abroad. This is likely due to the fact that urban homes are relatively compact, and there's a strong desire to make them "look bright and spacious," as well as the influence of traditional homes with their light color schemes, such as tatami mats, shoji screens, and plaster walls. Therefore, the change that occurs when accent colors or accessories are incorporated is particularly noticeable, which can be considered a unique characteristic of Japanese living spaces.
Creating Depth and Spaciousness By carefully planning the flow of sightlines, you can create depth in a space.
For example, vertically-oriented artwork can make the ceiling appear higher, while a horizontally-oriented rug can make the room look larger.
Square artwork doesn't emphasize either the vertical or horizontal dimension, making it a shape that easily provides a sense of stability. Arranging multiple squares in a row, in particular, creates a sense of rhythm and gives the wall a neat and orderly impression.
Enhancing Psychological Effects It has been suggested that accent colors can influence emotions and behavior. Green and wood-grain items are said to provide a sense of security, blue helps with concentration, and red and orange tend to stimulate conversation. However, individual differences exist in the effects, so it's best to consider them as guidelines.
Points to consider when choosing an accent.
Harmony with Base Colors Choosing colors that blend with the base colors of the floor, walls, and furniture tends to allow accents to blend in naturally. When using contrasting colors, it is generally considered that keeping the area and saturation low and placing them as points of emphasis will create a refined and cohesive look.
Keep the main focus limited . If you place too many accent items, your gaze tends to wander, and the overall impression becomes restless and unsettled.
Focusing on 1-2 main pieces per room creates a sense of unity. Even when displaying multiple pieces of art, matching the sizes and frames to make them look like "one set" can give rhythm to the space as a single focal point.
Size and Material Feel If it's too small, it will lack presence, and if it's too large, it can create a sense of pressure.
Choose the size based on the room's dimensions and the balance with the furniture, and match the texture to the atmosphere of the space to enhance the overall look. Metal and glass materials give a modern and sharp impression, while fabric and wood create a soft and warm feeling.
Examples of accent pieces for different rooms
Living Room In a space where family and guests gather, having one focal point that draws the eye tends to greatly enhance the overall impression. Placing a vibrant cushion on the sofa and displaying a single art poster on the wall behind it can easily add vibrancy and cohesion to the space. Adding a potted plant further enhances depth and a sense of relaxation.
Bedroom A bedroom, where tranquility is desired, is said to be suited to accents in pale colors. Change the bedside lighting to a warm tone, and add soft fabric cushions or blankets at the foot of the bed. Arranging small square pieces of art on the wall creates a regular rhythm, which tends to provide a sense of security.
Entrance <br>The entrance, which determines the first impression of your home, is a suitable place to add an accent. Placing a small vase on the shoe box and adding an art poster to the wall can easily create an atmosphere of hospitality. Perhaps because it is a small space, accents tend to stand out effectively.
The option of an art poster.
Among the many accent items available, art posters are particularly easy to incorporate and offer great potential for impact.
Posters create a focal point on the wall and can freely change the atmosphere of a space depending on the colors, composition, and motifs used.
Easy to rearrange If you keep the frame size consistent, you can create different looks to match the season or your mood simply by changing the contents. Even changing just a few pieces will give you the feeling of a fresh new look.
Create rhythm with multiple posters . Instead of using a single poster as the main focus, combining posters of different sizes or arranging them at equal intervals can easily create rhythm and storytelling on the wall.
Lighting Changes the Impression It is said that illuminating with spotlights or indirect lighting brings out the color and texture, changing the impression of the artwork. In a living room, soft light creates a relaxing atmosphere, while in a workspace, bright and sharp light changes the mood. The way light is used also changes the atmosphere.
Expand your expression while keeping costs down . While more affordable than original artwork, it can be expected to enhance the quality of your room. Furthermore, it can be easily replaced according to your preferences and mood, making it suitable as a means of incorporating "movement" into your life.
It is said that accents in interior design "create big changes with small presences."
Among these, art posters combine ease of use with expressive power, making them an easy option to incorporate into everyday life. If you pay attention to visual appeal, color, and psychological effects, not just decoration, the quality of your life should improve significantly.
Simply adding one piece to familiar spaces like the living room, bedroom, or entrance will make your life richer and more comfortable. Be sure to discover the joy of adding an accent to your daily life.
*The art in the image is a AI-generated and synthesized version of Naoko Shimagami's work .
