Shelter in place, much?

While our current reality is setting in, so is my awareness of the excess in our home. Naturally with seven people, five which are growing children, we have more items than the average family. However I’ve been exploring The Luxury of Less Principle, one that emphasizes quality over quantity. With each passing day, I realize our possessions are occupying too much of our physical and mental space.  This doesn’t mean I’m joining the Minimalism Movement, but I am taking the steps to make room for what matters most, clarity. Here’s how:

#1 Use oversized art to make a statement.

When designing a room with a high ceiling or lots of wall space, I prefer to feature a captivating art piece like the one we used in this Sandy Springs great room. Flanking the artwork are two sconces, showstoppers in their own right. Made from acrylic and brass, these sconces offer chic mood lighting for cosmopolitan-style entertaining.

#2 Choose Dual Purpose Furniture

Shop smarter. Choose furnishings that serve two purposes, i.e. an ottoman that serves as additional seating as well as a coffee table.

# 3 Seek Help With Space Planning

The wrong furniture arrangement can kill a space.  Employ designer tricks to find optimal seating arrangements and traffic flow in the room.  For example, in large rooms keep the seating arrangement pulled away from the walls. Creating spaces beyond the furniture adds volume to the room. Secondly, use a combination of furniture with skirted or hidden alongside furniture with exposed legs. This creates air space and a feeling of openness you cannot achieve if all the upholstered items are close to the floor.

#4 Inject Interest with Color and Patterns

Color and pattern really draw you into a space. Bold colored drapery, patterned rugs, and soft fabrics do the heavy lifting in bringing the room to life and displaying the personality of its owner.