How a Simple Twist in your Accessories can Enhance Your Focal Point
- Sep 8, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 14
Did your mother ever tell you it’s not polite to point?
Well, sometimes — in decorating and in life — a little pointing is a good thing.
Whether you’re styling a mantel, hanging art, or arranging a tabletop, your eye naturally follows where objects “point.”
A vase leaning inward, a bird’s gaze turned toward another, even the tilt of a photo frame — these subtle directions keep the eye centered and the space feeling harmonious.
Mantels, credenzas, and gallery walls all benefit from this simple trick: lead the eye inward toward your focal point.
In Art and Decor
The same visual rhythm applies in painting and photography.
When objects point inward, your attention stays focused — not drifting off the edge.
In photos, you’ll see it too. Notice how heads or gestures tilt slightly toward the center, keeping your attention where the emotion lives.
A Funny Lesson from the Gallery
Years ago, I hung a small watercolor of three geese, each painted with their beaks tilted gently toward the middle of the paper. To me, it created visual balance — a conversation happening midair.
A gentleman stopped in front of it, studied the piece for a moment, and tapped me on the shoulder.
“Are those geese flying in or out?” he asked.
I must have looked puzzled.
He smiled and explained, “If their tails are down, they’re flying in. If their tails are up, they’re flying out.”
Ah — an avid birder!
I leaned closer to my own painting, squinting at the tiny, 3/8-inch geese. Their heads were stretched forward — not up, not down. I took a gamble and said,“They’re flying out.”
He nodded. “Good answer.”
And bought the painting.
The Takeaway
Back then, I was focused on composition — keeping the viewer’s eye centered.
But years later, that same question still makes me smile.
Maybe that’s the quiet truth behind both art and life:we don’t always know whether we’re flying in or out —but we can still move in the right direction.
Try this at home:
Next time you’re arranging a mantel or shelf, take a step back. Notice which way your objects “point.” A slight inward turn can draw attention exactly where you want it — and create a more welcoming feel.
Related article: Learn more about focal points by clicking this link: 7 Tips for Artistic Bookshelves.
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