Layering In Style

Layering In Style

Written by Sarah St. Amand | Design by Sarah St. Amanda Interior Design | Photography by Mike Chajecki

Bringing layers into your design is an important decorating principle. Layers add depth and dimension to a space, enhance its tangible warmth, and heighten the sense of luxury. A layered decorating approach aims to achieve a holistic, harmonious scene of unified elements and accessories, which all work together to make an inviting aesthetic statement.

Regardless of your home’s style, layering is all about creating balance through cohesion and overlapping details. You can layer nearly anywhere using upholstery and window treatments, floor coverings and lighting, accessories and art on the walls, and colors and materials that form the floor of your space. If you want to build beautiful layers into your home, here are seven key themes and some no-fail rules to follow.

Pattern & Color

There are tens of thousands of colors and patterns to choose from when decorating your home, and the “point and pick” method rarely results in a wellbalanced palette. There’s a universal design rule to follow when layering color and pattern. Start with three, which is a good and manageable number of colors or patterns to work with. If you have experience or are feeling brave, you can try four or five. Once you have your three choices, apply them using the 60:30:10 ratio. Sixty percent of your space (painted or patterned) will feature the dominant color or pattern—often a neutral choice that is typically reserved for walls and large-scale upholstered pieces. Your secondary choice will occupy 30 percent of what you see in the room, such as smaller upholstered furnishings, window coverings, and an area rug. The remaining 10 percent is intended to provide emphasis, like a bright accent color or black.

Walls & Floors

You can give walls and floors dimension by layering in architectural detail. Textural wallcoverings and 3D tiles create a subtle visual interest. Get creative with trim work, such as moldings, casings, panels, or wainscots. These elements all serve to draw in the eye.

Floors are an often-overlooked element—big mistake, given that they occupy a huge visual area and offer a chance to add style. Flooring presents the perfect opportunity to introduce layers, warmth, and detail to any room. Start by choosing a great base that supports the broader style of the room while taking your functional needs—like maintenance and foot traffic—into consideration. Consult an expert for all the options available to you. Then, you can layer in some color, texture, and warmth with an area rug.

Furniture

The best approach when adding furniture to a room is to start with the biggest pieces and work your way down to the smaller ones. Larger items may include a sofa, dining table, and bed. Once these key pieces are placed from a functional and aesthetic perspective, you can start to incorporate smaller furnishings, such as side tables and accent chairs. These secondary pieces enhance the room’s function and are important layering elements that tell your style story.

Lighting

Layered lighting is essential to a room’s overall function and ambiance. Each room will have specific lighting requirements depending on its main purpose. Kitchens and bathrooms, for instance, will require more focused task lighting in specific areas to enhance function. Meanwhile, ambient spaces such as bedrooms and living areas often require mood lighting to create a sense of relaxation. Regardless of a room’s required ratio of functional versus aesthetic lighting, every lighting plan should include three key layers: ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Include a variety of light sources, such as ceiling-mounted fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, sconces, table and floor lamps, and accent lights to highlight key focal and architectural features.

The “Extras”

This catch-all category encapsulates everything from artwork and accessories to seasonal items. Here’s where the trends can come into play.

To create balanced layers of accessories with a collected, curated look, keep an eye out for variety in the materials, textures, and shapes of the pieces you choose to display.

Remember that layering is a process. It takes time, experience, and, yes, some trial and error. Aim for balance and build an “aesthetic experience” in your home that captures the senses. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. When you hit the sweet spot for styling your space, you’ll know it.