There was a time when interior designers promoted themed rooms.  Every item in a space had to look as if it was plucked from the deck of a ship, came from a jungle or lived half its life in a barn.  Well-designed spaces felt like a movie set, all ready for the actors and cameras.  I’m glad to say those times are long gone.  Now interior designers see heavily themed rooms as being quickly dated, transient and even (dare I say it?!?) tacky. 

Bringing a theme to life in your space requires a subtle touch.  Your family and guests should be able to feel the theme more than see it.  There are so many ways to bring in that feeling without going completely overboard.  An oceanic theme no longer requires walls painted like the inside of a coral reef and no need for real horse to drive home a western room!  Here are a few tips to bring the feeling of a theme into your rooms, without it taking over your life:

Tip 1: Go Big on Art

You can really drive a whole room with a single, well-chosen piece of art.  Whatever your chosen theme, look for an art piece that is large enough to command attention, and gives the image you want the room to portray.  It’s also a great place to splurge, too – an original piece will be unique to your home and often accrue in value.  If you don’t have the budget for an original, look for a signed lithograph by an artist you love.  PRO TIP: Think beyond the canvas!  An art piece can be a tapestry or quilt, a vintage wooden screen or collage of smaller pieces that combine to make a single art piece.

Tip 2: Look to Texture

Whatever your chosen theme, look for small ways to bring in a texture native to that theme.  You can opt for a few beautiful Kantha-covered boxes for a boho vibe, or whitewashed wicker to bring in a coastal flair.  Chippy wooden picture frames are great for a soft shabby look, and galvanized metal always works for a farmhouse theme.  Small is the key here – petite decorative objects, small rugs, coasters, and diminutive pots for your plants all work well.  PRO TIP: Linens are also a great way to bring in a nod to a theme – pillows and throws in linen, burlap or prints can bring a ton of texture and help reinforce the feel you are looking for.     

Tip 3: Don’t Overlook Scents

Scent is extremely powerful for invoking both feelings and emotions. So many looks have “signature” scents, and bringing in candles or diffusers in those smells will make your family and friends sense your theme.  You can use sea salt scents for beachy spaces, vanilla for a homey farmhouse vibe or roses for a romantic note.  Most themes attempt to recreate a different place – what are the aromas that make you feel like you are there?  It’s a great way to create the subtle ambiance of a theme!  PRO TIP: Technology has come a long way, and the wi-fi enabled smart home diffusers are amazing…and I love that I never have to worry about remembering to blow out a candle!  There are a number on the market, and I’m fortunate enough to stock my favorite – the Pura diffuser, which comes in a kit with Capri Blue’s famous Volcano scent.  You’ll have to come check it out!

BONUS TIP: A super easy rule of thumb is to stick with three pieces to drive home your chosen theme.  For my three, I like a larger art piece, a 3-D object and a “unique” item.  For example: to give a nautical look you could have a nice art piece of a sailboat, a 3-D boat model and an eye-catching item such as a sailing flag or fragment of a buoy-turned-part piece.  It’s really all you need. 🙂