Want to give your Gloucester home a new, more curated look? Layering is your answer. In this article, I talk about the principles behind layering and how to achieve the look.
What is layering in home décor?
First, we should say what it isn’t. Layering isn’t ‘maximalism’ or ‘minimalism’ but more about how you view the entire space. Layering adds depth and interest to your rooms but you need to be cautious about overdoing it. I like to begin with a neutral palette and add pops of colour with bright print or deep jewel colours depending on the season.
Using texture to add depth
Because it’s still chilly, now we feel like adding more luxurious fabrics…think velvet, faux fur or even those soft fleece throws.
Cushions, throw rugs or a snuggly sheepskin all add depth and texture to your room. Rugs also help to define spaces such as a conversation area or your dining area.
Consider adding some throw rugs and cushions to your lounge and bed. You can drape a snuggly throw rug over your couch or an armchair and immediately change its look. Add a few cushions in a complementary colour and you’ll want to settle down with a good book straight away.
You can do something similar with your bed. Place some lovely textured cushions at the head and lay a folded faux fur or textured throw rug over the base. You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes.
Invest in some beautiful rugs to place strategically around your home. Even if you have wall-to-wall carpet, your rugs will add interest and depth.
Curtains are another easy layer and if you have blinds on your windows, it’s still worth adding ceiling-to-floor curtains to soften the blinds.
Layer with lighting
Lighting is vital to layering. Instead of seeing a single ceiling light, we want lighting at different levels. In your living room, wall sconces are great, as is a standard floor lamp that delivers a soft glow, a reading lamp beside your most comfortable armchair and, if you can figure out how to install it, LED strip lighting behind furniture or under the bottom shelf of your bookcase. Pendant lights.
Hot tip: If you have a favourite art piece on a wall, light it individually.
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace and a mantle, place a lamp at either end to add to the soft warm glow of the fire. Remember to use warm globes in your lamps to make the room feel nice and cosy.
To complete the look, consider placing a nice tray with two or three candles of different heights on the coffee table.
Add visual interest with plants, artwork and wallpaper
Indoor plants come in so many sizes, heights and shades of green that they’re an obvious choice for layering. You could use a trailing vine from a high self (and if it’s really low light, use a fake plant that looks real enough or try Devil’s Ivy that is hardy enough for even someone with the blackest thumbs), add a bullet-proof peace lily (again, almost impossible to kill) and maybe add some height with a yucca, indoor palm or an olive tree.
Create interest with a gallery wall of your favourite photos or artworks. If you want the look without the expense, head online to a site like Etsy that offers thousands of gorgeous prints. Buy them online, grab some frames then work out how you will mix and match them on the floor before you actually hang them.
Textured wallpaper is another cheat’s way of getting the layered look. You don’t need to cover the entire room. One or two walls will be enough to add interest without overwhelming.
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