The Art Of Display - Professional Arrangements At Home

Here's a scenario that may be familiar to you. Shopper spots something gorgeous, brings it home, and it doesn't look half as good as it did in the store. There is a simple reason for this… the art of display.

Balance and harmony are everything to achieve the art of display. This Clifton bedroom display from White Line Boutique in Belfast demonstrates a seemingly simple look of harmonised tones, shapes and positioning.

Up and down the country, in every High Street, there is a secret army of window dressers and merchandisers whose expert tricks of the trade have the magical ability to lure you into making purchases.

Now, before you go running back to the shops to return these items, you have to understand that your purchase was made, largely, due to their professional presentation.

There is an art to displaying the objects in your home and with this fail-safe guide you will be able to create professional arrangements in your own home interior.

Why display?

It is a natural instinct to artfully arrange your collections and valuables. It de-clutters, brings a sense of order and creates a focal point for a room.

What do you want to achieve?

It is best to begin by analysing what you intend to create. Here is a check-list to get you started:

• Which area / room are you looking at? How much available space is there?
• What items would you like to display? Do they exist or will purchases have to be made? For example, you may have a fabulous collection of unframed black and white photographs. For a dramatic wall display, select matching frames for continuity.
• Look at highlighting existing features, such as a mantelpiece or a feature window.
• Make the most of what you have and have fun! Sometimes displays come together naturally; others need some time and thought.

Simple Rules for Effective Display

• Co-ordinate. Grouping together similar toned items is very eye-catching.
• Near and far. Pay attention to details, but also remember to stand back and look at the display within the context of the room.
• Small is beautiful. You don't need a large room to create great looks. Pick a small area and let your imagination flow.
• The 'three' rule. Three items looks more effective than four. Sounds crazy? Just check it out to see what I mean. Place three picture frames together, or three ornaments – it looks fantastic.
• Balance. By harmonising your display with balance and equal proportions it will look immediately more pleasing to the eye. For instance, place two lamps at opposite ends of a console table; or place equally proportioned plants on either side of an entranceway.
• Personality. Choose items for display that reflect your character. If music is your thing, go ahead and mount your treasured instrument in a prominent position. It will, after all, bring you joy to look at it.

Display Furniture

Often, when looking at a great shop display, it is the 'props' used that give the items the greatest prominence. Multi-tiered tables, cube units and shelves are used to display items to their best advantage.

Luckily, nowadays, these items are readily available from furniture shops to suit all budgets. At the top end of the scale, nothing beats custom made furniture. Ireland has a plethora of craftspeople that can create bespoke objects. In the middle price bracket, independent retailers offer great choice and quality design for storage and display. Cube units continue in popularity and are available in both light and dark wood, stained and painted finishes. If budget is the issue, the likes of the out-of-town DIY stores offer great choice in MDF, self-assembly pieces.