Formal Home Decorating

When most people think of a formal home decorating style, they think of the elegant homes of past eras, high-end hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, or the decor the the White House and other public buildings. Formal homes and buildings were constructed with elaborate detail usually including deep baseboard moldings and highly polished hand-laid hardwood floors.

A distinguishing feature of the formal decor relates to the outward form, structure, or arrangement of elements rather than the contents. The style is more about appearance than substance created especially to attract the attention of others.

The formal home decorating style consists of symmetrical lines in the tall windows, wood furniture, and flooring. Artwork, accessories, and furniture are often arranged in exact pairs throughout the room in keeping with the straight lines of the structure.

In each entryway and interior room, the eye is drawn to a central focal point, whether a beautiful fireplace, a large painting or statue, or an elegant garden outside as seen through tall picture windows dominating a far wall.

The focal point could also be an elegant desk centered in a study surrounded by walls of shelves filled with books from floor to ceiling, a well-tended fireplace, and stylish seating. A highly polished grand piano could well be the focal point of the conservatory or drawing room.

Brilliant crystal chandeliers are often included in the entryway, and formal dining and living rooms, hanging from high sculptured ceilings. Wall sconces are seen throughout the home. Large original oil paintings, handcrafted sculptures, and antiques are often strategically placed throughout the space.

All surfaces are polished to a high gloss, as opposed to the low gloss of the casual style. Dark mahogany, maple, or cherry wood are often used for walls and furniture.

Persian carpets and Oriental rugs are placed on the polished floors. Rich, luxurious fabrics are used to drape windows, cover sofas and pillows, and the pillows and bedspreads draped over opulent beds.

The formal home decorating style does not lend itself to easy, casual living. It is often a rigid style of decor, meant to look at and admire more than comfortably live in day to day.