While some people prefer symmetry in design, sometimes having a mix of asymmetrical elements helps to create a vignette that’s more eye catching. Each piece needs to be looked at separately to appreciate it, rather than being overlooked as it’s simply a mirror image.

So here are some more ways to achieve asymmetry in your vignette:

The important thing here is to express your creativity in an individual way. Have fun!

An asymmetrical vignette allows for a creative and visually appealing arrangement that breaks away from traditional symmetrical layouts. To create an asymmetrical vignette, follow these steps:

Consider Negative Space: Negative space, or empty space, is just as important as the objects themselves. Allow some areas around the focal point to remain open, creating breathing room for the eye. This negative space enhances the overall composition and keeps the arrangement from feeling cluttered.

Remember, asymmetrical vignettes allow for creative expression and individuality. Embrace the uniqueness of each arrangement, and have fun exploring different combinations of objects to create a visually captivating display.

I’ve often talked about grouping items with a common theme, or the same item in different sizes etc.

Sometimes, though, you want a little more variety in your items. It’s a fine art to take a group of contrasting items and make them work in a space. So let’s take a look at a great case study.

Sometimes, the simplest way to tie a group of objects together is the use of colour. You can either choose a common colour theme for the group, or, even better, tie that colour in with other colours in the space.

The best part about this approach is that you can take a very neutral room and give it a whole new lease of life through the colours you choose for vignettes, furnishings, art and more.

Here’s a great example. This vignette on a coffee table has a keynote of green, blended with white and rattan brown. Note how the cushion on the sofa right next to it has a green pattern.

Now we move out to a broader look at the sofa, and can see the cushions are styled very cleverly. The first and third continue the green theme, despite having vastly different prints, and the cushion in the middle ties in to the stripe on the back of the floral cushion. Even the throw has a soft green weave!

Finally, the other end of the sofa. Cushions are repeated to tie everything together, but this time the green patterned cushion has gone and replaced with a blue throw.

There’s an old saying “blue and green should never be seen”, but this is a brilliant example of using a blend of contrasts with a strong base note to product a cohesive overall style.

My thanks to Highgate House in Albion Qld, for hosting our recent visit. Their team really knows how to style! Thanks also to Foxy Home Staging – that’s their rack of green cushions in the main photo. Absolute heaven for me, so many green cushions!!

Although asking “What’s Behind It?” sounds very conspiratorial, thinking about the background for your vignette is actually an important part of the design process.

Remember, too, that if your vignette is placed on a surface that effectively becomes a background as well. So the earlier point about avoiding clashing patterns holds true. Keep your colours and shapes simple if they’re on a visually busy background.

Or, if you find that your vignette objects are clashing with the surface, then consider using a simple tray or basket to intercede between the two elements.

Designing your vignette to complement and enhance your background is a great way to give added impact to the objects you choose.

When you’re creating a vignette, sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. That’s where the concept of an “anchor” piece comes in.

Basically, an anchor piece is one item you use as the centre of interest for your vignette. It’s the “hero” of the group, and is the first item that catches your eye.

If you want to do something a little different, your anchor can also be a small group of similar things. That’s a great way to capture attention.

Any way you approach it, having a strong anchor in your vignette helps to give the group a focal point that draws the eye, and adds to the visual interest of the space.

What you need to do is remember that basic shape when you’re putting together items to form a vignette. Tallest one in the middle, smaller ones on either side. And there you have it – a vignette!

Once you understand the “A” concept, or the upside down V, as it’s sometimes called, styling vignettes is simple. As you gain confidence, you can then start to play with the shape. For starters, you can turn the A upside down.

Another way is expand outwards from the A. Add some flowers for height, or put a couple of items together to form one of the points of the A.

Flatten the A out if you have a wide surface, or stretch it up if your space is tall and narrow.

You’re only limited by your imagination – and we all know that’s not limited at all.

When you’re putting together a vignette as part of your interior styling, remembering that “Odd is Good!” is an important part of the process.

You can take that to mean that unusual or interesting items are great in vignettes, and that’s quite often true. But here we’re talking about how many items you’ve incorporated into your vignette.

However if you have a very formal or traditional interior, you may prefer to stick with even numbers in your vignette, and preferably keep it symmetrical. The classic candlesticks on either end of the mantelpiece come to mind.

So if you want your vignette to grab attention and hold it, odd is good!

You’ve collected your objects. You have a place to put them. And now comes the fun part – how do you group them in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye of the beholder?

Now it’s time to bring your ‘A’ game – or more specifically, think about the shape of the letter A.

If you have a couple of items of the same height, then it can be helpful to place one on a small pedestal, such as another item or a couple of books, to achieve a variation in height.

Find yourself in a situation where you have a group of similarly-sized items? Linear arrangements can work well if there is a strong connection between both the items and a contrast. In the photo above, the vignette items contrast well with the identical, stark white chairs.

Another trick you can use if you have pairs of items (and you like symmetry!), is to arrange them so that an item on the wall behind, such as a mirror or lighting fixture, forms the top point of the triangle.

Bring your ‘A’ game to your vignettes, and you’ll find it much easier to turn your fascinating bits and pieces into visually pleasing displays.

You’ve had a lovely time putting together the items you want to use in your latest vignette. You’ve thought about colour, textures, a theme and more.

Now it’s the moment of truth – styling the vignette. But then comes the burning question – do you put the items close together or spread them out in order to make the best visual impact?

This decision can be exacerbated by the surface you’re using. When you have a long, narrow surface, such as a hall dresser, it’s tempting to evenly space the items along the dresser, and so fill up the space.

Alternatively, if you’re not quite so concerned about rigid spacing, you might just randomly place the items across the surface.

No! Stop right there! It’s important that your items are placed in cohesive groups. Otherwise you risk your vignette looking like a box of stuff was tipped out on the surface at random. Or that it was arranged by a robot with a ruler.

The trick is to get a little cosy. Take 3 items, place them together, and make it clear they’re in a group by putting them close together. If you’re stacking items that happens naturally, but otherwise it’s the way you orient the items to each other that creates the cohesive, styled look you’re after.

Ah, I hear you asking, but how do you avoid ending up with a little group of objects looking swamped if they’re huddled together in the middle of a very large space?

In that scenario, have more than one grouping, rather than spreading them out, and if possible add some low-hanging artwork or a mirror on the wall behind so the end effect isn’t too linear. In essence, you create another vignette of 3 using the two groupings and the art.

One thing to remember with cosying up items if they’re on a central table is that they can be viewed from any angle – so take the time to check out the group from all angles and make sure they’re connected, but that there’s still some space to get the full visual impact from every direction.

When it comes to creating a stylish vignette, it’s important to find ways to attract and hold the eye. We’ve already looked at the use of colour, so now it’s time to consider texture.

The eye is naturally drawn to explore a group of items in a vignette when there is variation. The softness of a feather or flower mixed with the strong, clean lines of a book, for example, make a great contrast and attract the eye.

Texture differences can also be found in surface finishes – shiny smooth metal place alongside a rough, knobbly nature item.

The trick here is to find a way to link the items, even though their textures are visually different. A very popular way to do this is through “theming” the vignette. Beach-themed items are very much on trend right now. In the below example, the items are related to a pharmacopoeia theme.