Experiencing Joy Through Art

   Good afternoon! I am so glad to share another blog post with you. Today I thought we’d look at using a focal point in your design or composition to enhance your room decor or art piece.

   A focal point is just what it sounds like: an area of a painting or room design that everything else in that design is subordinate to. For room design it can be another piece of art (a whole room could be designed to show off such a piece!) or for a painting it’s usually the center of interest. Generally speaking the visual aspects of the artwork or room will naturally lead your eye to the focal point.

   The “rules” of good composition generally state that the focal point or center of interest should never be placed in the exact center, especially for paintings or 2D artworks. This is not always the case of course, but knowing when to break the rules comes from fully understanding them first. If you are just starting out, use this simple trick: Either very lightly or with just your imagination, “draw” a tic-tac-toe board on your art work. Where these lines intersect is good place to put your focal point. Choose one and then build your composition around that. The red circles below show one of the four places that could be chosen for your focal point.

   Another method you can use that I have sometimes seen is to start with one of the top corners of your work. Draw a line to the opposite corner. Then starting at the second top corner not used in the first step, draw a line to the center of the bottom. Where the two lines cross will be the focal point area…

   For a room design, your focal point can be the main area that draws attention in the room. Your design can be built around a piece of artwork, a beloved antique furniture item or anything else that you have chosen to be the centerpiece of the room. Even for an entertainment space, the TV can be a focal point!

   Using the layout of the room to focus attention on one area can really enliven your room design and make the space function much better.

   One great trick I have used in my own living room is to set the TV up in a corner and put a throw rug in front of it. This makes the TV and TV stand feel almost like a fireplace and serves as the clear focal point in the room. The corner shelf over the TV (which can be purchased at Home Depot) keeps the corner from feeling like wasted space and gives me another area for accessories.

   Try using a focal point to enliven your room design. With a little practice you can really make your decor look professional!