The first blog in this series covered creating warmth in a room by adding soft surfaces. In this post, let’s take a look at how to sharpen up a space with too many soft surfaces.

Traditional styles lend themselves to soft surfaces. Carpeting provides a good look for a traditional approach to decorating. Often rooms hold lots of overstuffed furniture and plenty of pillows. Tables are curved and in the dining room, tablecloths are standard and dining chairs have cushions.

If a room feels too soft, a few simple steps can sharpen its corners. Look for opportunities to include accessories in metals and glass. Consider wood window shades or shutters to sharpen the space without losing a traditional look.

One of the best ways to cut back on softness is to cut back on furniture and accessories. If you have space between elements in a room, the softness is tempered by the walls and the extra room.

Soft surfaces add warmth and welcome to a space. Balancing them with a few hard-surfaced items helps the softness stand out.

Many people find it difficult to take their rooms from “fine” to “designed.” This is often because we love one color, type of surface, or look and don’t build in enough contrast. Drama comes from the shift from light to dark, soft to hard, and the juxtaposition of various textures and colors. Let’s look at one of the most common challenges – softening a room with too many hard surfaces.

The preference for hard surfaces often reflects modern taste. Hard surfaces are sleeker and more streamlined, with tile or wood floors, simple lines on tables, few pillows or other accessories. Even couches and chairs lean toward more tailored lines. This can create a beautiful room that feels almost like a sculpture. However, too many hard surfaces without some softness to balance them can make a space feel cold, even to the point where voices echo.

A few simple changes can make the space more inviting without compromising the style. How about a thick rug in white shag or even leather strips? Think about hanging a contemporary tapestry or quilt on the walls in place of framed art. A table runner will soften and warm up a sleek table, and contribute to its style and look. How about a stack of two or three tailored floor pillows in a corner to contrast with the hard-surface floor and provide extra seating?

Bringing in softer surfaces won’t compromise your modern style; instead, it will bring the sculptural feel of your room into focus by providing contrast!