DON'T THINK you are crazy if you like the warm feeling of clutter. It is an affliction that affects more people than you know, as we often tend to confuse overcrowded surroundings with cosiness. We feel that the more knick-knacks and furnishings there are in a room, the more 'home-like' it is.
To find out if your living space is cluttered, answer the following questions from home experts at www.ivillage.com.
Is it obvious what the largest or most dramatic element in your main/living room is?
Do you have accessories in many different places of the room, or are they gathered around one visual anchor?
Do your furnishings fill empty space instead of being arranged around your most dramatic or largest element?
Is there no attention-getting mirror, painting or screen over or behind the sofa?
Are cherished keepsakes, antiques or a collection of similar objects arranged on every available surface?
Creating a true feeling of cosiness involves the establishment of a focal point, such as a large picture window, a wall unit, or even a sofa placed along the longest wall of your room.
Try confining your knick-knacks to one place, such as a corner table or in a glass cabinet. If you lean towards the minimalist, then try bringing symmetry to your focal point with matching end tables or floor lamps, or blowups of favourite pictures placed in inexpensive frames and hung over your couch. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you'll be on your way to a great room.
