Layers of Design

The basic steps in layering which transforms every space incorporates, wall treatment, floor finish, furniture, lighting and accessories. Within each layer there is a subset of layers which gives the unique character to the room. This subset of layering speaks to the details of elements and objects which when combined makes a bold statement.

For beginners it is important to keep the main elements of each layer simple, use neutrals and solid colours on the main wall, the sofa and the dining table. The subsets of each layer can be bolder statements as these elements should be easy to change if you change your mind. If you have an eye for layering the world is your oyster, just remember to maintain scale and balance.

Wall treatment layering can be as basic as using paint on the walls. Paint the main wall in a neutral colour and the subset of that layer can be a bright colour or you can introduce a different textural element like wall paper, wood or stone.

The floor finish layer is a bit easier to master. Many of us keep this layer simple. However, if you are comfortable you can introduce patterns for the subset layer. The main concern with floors is that a lot of it will be covered by furniture, therefore if you are adding pattern ensure that it works with the furnishings.

The furniture layer is very extensive. It consists of upholstered and non-upholstered pieces. These are the larger ticket items which will not be easily replaced. For this layer texture and function of the main elements are the dominant ingredients. The furniture layer represent the more visible elements in the room. Pay attention the how the pieces relate to each other in terms of the height, width and arrangement. The subset of this layer adds details of the style, pattern and colour.

Lighting adds intimacy by creating layers of light to the lighting layer. There are several layers of light that are used to create the lighting scheme which all perform different tasks in any given room. There are general, task and accent lighting which are used in different areas and produce different levels of light. The subset to this layer is the fixture type and style adding sparkle and drama to the space. The fixtures themselves can be simple or elaborate.

Accessories are available in many forms, artwork, pillows, throws, mirrors, flowers and plants, vases and rugs. You can create many clusters of interesting objects in the accessories layer. This layer acts as a hat and completes the layout by pulling everything together.

Layer with personality. Have the rooms in your house tell a story about who you are. Let your personality have a voice in the space. Are you artistic or are you a collector? Leave your mark it will make you happy