Putting your Wreath In the Limelight

Three wreaths, all of them beside the same shelf hung with baskets.They all look good, don't they? But they achieve different goals.

Subordinate

The first photo is of a smaller wreath which is very much the same color as the baskets (although the photo shows it darker). Because of its size and similar color it blends with the baskets and doesn't steal attention from them. Basically it is subordinate to the baskets. This works well whenever you want an arrangement to take up wall space, adding texture and some color, without detracting from another decor item.

Complimentary

The second photo is of a slightly larger wreath with mixed colors. It has highlights reflecting the basket colors. This wreath compliments and sort of points to the baskets while also making a decor statement of its own. It shares attention with the baskets, but it does not detract from them. Most of the time, when placing wall decor close together, you want this combination.

Dominating

The third photo is of a larger wreath yet, and even though it's base color is much the same as the baskets, its size makes it dominate, basically upstaging the baskets by drawing attention away from them. This might sound like a crazy thing to do until you consider eyesores like telephone cords, functional but ugly furniture, desk or counter mess, light switches, cracks, etc. Most of us want to draw attention away from these things, and this is a way to do it.

If you have an empty wall space, it's easy. Anything you put there will be noticed, and you don't have to worry about sharing or detracting attention. But things change when you are combining wreaths and swags in close proximity with other wall decor. It's good to keep this in mind when choosing a wreath or making a custom order.