Homes are often judged by the condition of their interior finishes. More than anything else, we notice and remember the details of a room’s decoration: the singular touches that express the homeowner’s tastes and personality. Décor accents, furnishings and works of art significantly impact upon the atmosphere of a room. They make the difference between a space that looks aesthetically designed and thoroughly thought out, and one that looks uneven or half-finished. But certain rules need to be followed to create an organized and neat décor scheme.

Some of the best details are works of art: exquisite ceramic wares, striking abstract paintings, picture frames, and fabrics, among other items. Or they could be collections of accents such as vases, trays and boxes.

When arranging objects and creations, keep proportions in mind. The size of pieces relative to each other and the space itself is their scale. For example, a large vase on a small console looks awkward. A tiny box on a large table appears lost. If furnishings are out of scale, you’ll notice that it just doesn’t feel comfortable or right.

Similarly scaled accents are more serene when used together, but a nice balance of accents creates a harmonious atmosphere, utilizing differing physical qualities of height, depth and width throughout the room. You should always balance one large object with several smaller ones. You can also group dissimilar object (for example a vase, a box and a picture frame can be set on a corner table.) But link them by color to create a harmonious display.

The relationship of items to one another to form an agreeable whole is termed balance. There are two forms of balance: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Asymmetry refers to an imbalance, such as two candles of slightly different heights next to one another. Symmetry is restful, while asymmetry represents motion and excitement.