Sophisticated Room Decorating

Colors

• Colors that enhance a sophisticated look are primarily neutral with splashes of bright colors. Traditional neutral shades, such as beige, cream, light taupe and wheat provide pleasing color palettes for rooms. Don't forget about other neutral colors like soft grey, subdued violet and pale blue as other options. Choose one color to be the primary color in the room and select two secondary colors. If you go with soft grey on the walls, look to add pops of color with red or yellow as secondary colors.

Furnishings

• Rich dark woods fit with the sophisticated style of décor because they seem a bit more formal than lighter colored woods. Most furniture is streamlined, but this does not mean that there are no curves involved. In fact, it's not unusual to see curves and twists on chairs and armoires, but they are few and they are never too ornate. Look for tightly upholstered sofas, chairs, cushions and pillows and think sleek when looking for tables and cabinetry.

Accessories

• Accessories bring the look of your room together. Sophisticated accessories are functional and very stylish without being too intense. Mirrors with simple yet elegant frames are classics when it comes to stylish decorating. Look for lamps and lampshades that are sleek. Use round and curvy designs to keep the look from becoming boring. Simple frames on artwork and photographs allow the artwork to shine through. Fresh flower arrangements in elegant vases are a natural touch that will give your rooms an ambiance of refinement.

Fabrics

• Fabrics define how a room feels, and one of the most pleasing luxurious fabrics is silk. It is available in a variety of colors, and dressing up a room with silk window treatments or pillows will create a sense of sophistication. Brocade fabrics add elegance to rooms, especially on bed covers. Sheer fabrics also lend themselves to an air of style.