A focal point creates emphasis and draws the attention of anyone that enters the room. Every room needs a focal point. It could be a big bay window, a fireplace, a piece of furniture, a built-in architectural feature or a unique piece of artwork. Here are just a few ideas you could consider when creating your focal point.
Use Bold Color
Since the eye is naturally drawn to the darkest or brightest colors in a space, utilizing color is often referred to as the easiest way to create a focal point in any room. To make this work best, the general color scheme of a room should be kept to a neutral palette in order to create a colorful focal point. Utilize soft gray or brown on the rugs, sofa and walls. Then use a bold color like turquoise , tangerine purple or orange on your focal point, whether it is a piece of art, a wall or chair. Small accents, such as pillows, should be utilized to tie the color into the rest of the room.
Appreciate Black
Imposing and solid, black works well as a focal point, too. Just like it’s capable of naturally drawing attention, it’s also able to ground a space. Using black on an item that is unique in shape is often suggested if you want to create a meaningful impact. You can opt for a small sculpture, bold lamp or funky chair. To prevent black from becoming overwhelming, prevent using it on large items like a wall unless it’s broken up with some sort of pattern or color.
Contrary to popular belief though, you don’t necessarily need color to create a focal point in your room. The key is to have or place the item that you want to focus on to be front and center, and complementary and center items to the side.
Furniture and Architectural Features
A piece of furniture can certainly be your focal point if you want. So can a feature of the architecture in a room, like using a well-positioned wall to create an accent wall. It’s vital to get the size right, though. It can feel and look uncomfortable if it’s too big, but it can be drowned out if it’s too small. A beautiful example of furniture being used as a focal point is this oversized headboard featured on The Canvas Prints.
Artwork
The tone and size of your art are very important. Make sure to choose a painting that goes hand in hand with your space. In other words, it should be the appropriate scale for your space, in tones that stand out to the naked eye but don’t clash with everything else that’s going on in the room. Above a piece of furniture on a neutral wall, a bold and large piece of art looks fantastic. Whether they have an eclectic mix of frames or are framed identically, a series of prints can have a huge impact, too.
View
If you have large windows with a great view, they can certainly be your focal point. Opt for simple furniture in order to not draw attention away from the view that your windows are providing. And while curtains and other window dressings may seem old-school, some rooms look wonderful with the right ones. HGTV has some really nice examples of windows being used as the focal point.
Textures and Patterns
In a monochromatic color scheme, you can integrate texture to create a focal point. This can help give your room depth and character. Raised and soft textures add more warmth, while shiny and smooth objects tend to provide a vibe that is cool and modern.
Patterns can be utilized to create a striking focal point as well. Utilize a tile or stone if your room is lacking architectural features. This will help make a bold statement in your room.
To create a more dramatic focal point, you can opt for backlighting, as this can highlight the stone or pattern that you are utilizing. Here’s a perfect example of a stone wall with charming lighting being used as the focal point in the kitchen.
It’s important to remember that focal points can be just about anything and literally transform the feel of any room. Your focal point can be contrived, natural or architectural. It’s your choice, so don’t be afraid to play with different ideas and elements until you finally find the one that’s perfect for you.
Other Resources
http://www.harrington.edu/student-life/blog/october-2013/bold-colors-in-small-rooms
http://www.homedit.com/combine-bold-colors-like-a-pro/
http://www.styleathome.com/how-to/painting/how-to-create-accent-walls/a/42271
