The Focal Point: How to Find One in Your Rooms

Despite the interesting rounded ceiling, there is no doubt that the bed is focal point of this room. The bed is flanked by night tables and lamps to anchor it further. A curtain behind the headboard, like the one in this photo, is another easy way to draw more attention to a bed’s importance.

If you’ve ever been to an interior designer show house, a furniture store, or even a parade of homes, you’re usually instantly attracted to each room as soon as you enter, even if it’s not a style that appeals to you. That’s by design, of course. Decorators know that to draw anyone into a room, you must establish a focal point first. A focal point will draw you in and provide instant appeal in a lackluster room. If you’ve wanted to breathe life into your living room or bedroom, put your attention on creating a strong focal point.

In the living room, the focal point is usually a fireplace. However, not every home has a fireplace. So instead of a ireplace, the focal point can be anything that is large, interesting, or commanding. For instance, the focal point might be a large picture window that frames a view of the garden. It could also be a piece of furniture, such as an armoire or even a large-screen television. Sometimes a focal point is a piece of art, mirror, or interesting architectural detail, such as a brick wall. In any case, as much attention as possible should be paid to the distinguishing feature.

The bed is where it’s at

In the bedroom, attention usually centers on the bed, making it the focal point. The weight of that attention can be enhanced further by matching the bed linens with the curtains, or by flanking the bed with matching nightstands and lamps. When the bed is interesting, such as a canopy bed, it adds even more drama and interest to the room. It also adds more “weight” because the focal point is the “anchor” of a room. Without a focal point, a room will lack focus and interest, and the room won’t command attention – or as much enjoyment.

Build your room around the focal point

When you’re ready to begin decorating a room, make sure you identify the focal point first and then build your room around it. If the room doesn’t have any interesting features, simply use the biggest piece of furniture there to become your anchor. Then, build around this with color, such as painting the wall behind it with an accent color, and then adding accessories, such as plants, floral arrangements, or other decorative elements.

Accessorize your focal point

A good example of this would be a TV armoire. Place a tall silk ficus tree on one side of the armoire and then group some pictures on the other. Next, place a basket, a vase, or another flowing plant such as a silk ivy plant on top of the armoire. Make sure the arrangement of these three items are different shapes, such as square basket, a tall urn or vase, and then a flowing ivy plant. The grouping should be staggered in height. The different shapes, textures, height, and odd number in this arrangement will be interesting and capture your attention.

Other ways to call attention to your focal point is to point lighting at it, such as track lights or a recessed light. Don’t forget that the focal point should be the first thing you see when you enter the room or the largest item. The furniture arrangement should also reflect this importance.

For example, a room with a large picture window should have the furnishings arranged to take advantage of the view. Then, decorate around that feature by framing the focal point with plants, accessories, or curtains. You may also wish to “flank” your focal point with matching accessories, such as two plants, two urns, or two lamps. Flanking a focal point brings instant attention to it, much like two stately lions do at the entrance to a large estate.

By concentrating on your focal points, pretty soon every room in the house will come into focus.