How to Give Your Home a Through Line
What are through lines, why are they important, and how do you create them in your home?
My first home was such an experiment. I had never decorated a space before and I had no real vision for what it could be. What I DID have, though, was a husband with an amazing skill set when it came to remodeling and a good sense of color. So while my tiny little home had a different color paint in every room (yes, I'm shaking my head here), at least the colors had a good flow and looked really well together.
In fact, I got asked my paint colors regularly and people would comment from the front door how well the kitchen and living room looked together even though there were three visible paint colors. So while I lacked an understanding of what a through line was (and had never heard the term), I was on the right track. I just needed some guidance and experience to see where I went a little sideways.
Giving your home a through line is such an important part of creating a cohesive look and flow throughout, but if you've never heard of them, it's hard to create one. But while the term may be new to you, I'm guessing the idea behind it isn't.
A through line is "a common or consistent element or theme shared by items in a series or by parts of a whole."
So let's get started by defining a through line. A through line is "a common or consistent element or theme shared by items in a series or by parts of a whole" (as defined by Miriam-Webster's dictionary). So in an interior or styling sense, a giving your home a through line would include choosing elements that connect and make a space cohesive and giving it flow from one room or space to another.
You can do that in part by deciding on a central style (or mix of styles), your color palette, and the materials and textures you choose. Creating a flow from one space will also be important as is functional cohesion and the use of space. So let's dive a bit deeper into each of these elements.
Choose a central style (or style mix) to give your home a through line
So first up, we want to define a few things. What do you want the overall style (or style mix) to be? What are your colors? And what kinds of materials or textures do you want to run throughout the space?
Style is a great place to start because it can help narrow down some of the other key elements. Some broad styles include: traditional, modern, boho, transitional, eclectic, farmhouse, and more. This article from Decorilla is a great reference to see not only a definition of 20 popular styles, but some visual examples as well.
Once you have a style or style mix, it's time to pick a color palette. Interior color palettes are intentionally few in numbers so you're able to bring them all together over and over in new ways. It helps your space not look too busy. Aim for 3-5 colors that you'll use repeatedly throughout your space. You'll want to choose a neutral, a main color, and 1-2 accent colors that you'll use more sparingly.
Younger me definitely had too many colors. Oops! Don't worry, I learned. You can check out this article on How to Choose the Right Paint Colors for your Home if you'd like some more thoughts on this topic.
With your style and colors chosen, it's time to choose some key materials and textures you'd like to bring into your home. What wood tones do you you love? Do you prefer a certain metal or mixing metals? How will you use texture throughout your space? Rough textures could be gorgeous in a more rustic setting and smooth finishes scream sophistication to me, but how do they make YOU feel and how do you want to use them?
Rough textures could be gorgeous in a more rustic setting and smooth finishes scream sophistication to me, but how do they make YOU feel and how do you want to use them? That's what's important.
Create a Visual Flow to Give your Home a Through Line
What many beginners or first time home owners don't think about is creating a visual flow from one space to another. Making sure the spaces are working together is important in creating a visual flow. So let's say your kitchen is visible from your living room which is where guests enter your home from the front door.
You'd want to make sure that when someone stepped through your front door, they would see consistency from you living room into your kitchen. You can accomplish this through color consistency, patterns and fabrics, and artwork and decor. Let's take a look at each of these separately.
Color consistency would include using the colors from your palette in a way that makes sense as far as the eye can see. This doesn't necessarily mean the rooms have to have the same paint color (although that's my preference these days), but it would tie in the same colors from the living room to the kitchen. You'd see the same colors repeated in both spaces. You'd ideally want at least one or two common colors visible between the spaces.
Patterns and Fabrics are another element that should repeat and echo in various spaces. This doesn't mean you need to have the same fabrics in every room, but making sure they'd fit in each space is a great way to create continuity. Perhaps your big, bold fabrics don't make it in each space, but the coordinating stripe or gingham or plaid makes a repeat appearance. Maybe the same stripe appears in a different color within your color palette. Mixing and matching to incorporate elements where it makes sense is the key here.
And then there's the artwork and decor. Choose items that fit within your stye and color palette and then sprinkle them throughout your home. Choose items that speak to your interests (why did you pick that item up in the first place?) and use that to drive the feeling of your space. I wrote an article on some of my favorite places for finding unique decor you may want to check out for some fun ideas. Whatever you add in as your artwork and decor, make sure they mean something to you and add to the story of your home.
Create Functional Cohesion to Give your Home a Through Line
So what is functional cohesion? It's the functional pieces in your space such as your furniture, lighting, and how each room or space is meant to be used. You'll want to make sure your furniture style is consistent, even if pieces vary from room to room. We're not talking about having the same piece of furniture in multiple rooms, just that they work together whether we're talking about a sofa, the dining room table, or a credenza.
Similarly, you furniture and lighting need to work with the room's purpose. What functions do you need the space to accommodate. This is where you make sure it's going to work for you and your family. White couches may be a no-no with pets or small kids. Or maybe you're fine with it--just make sure you're aware of how your family will use the space and what that upkeep will look like for you. Making sure your furniture and lighting fit the way the space will be used will go a long way in making through lines make more sense.
And let's talk a little more about lighting--keeping it cohesive means using similar types of lighting fixture and bulbs to maintain a consistent feel. You wouldn't want blue-tinted light in one space and warm bulbs in another or it would feel disjointed.
Use Your Space Wisely to Give your Home a Through Line
No matter the size of your home, we're all limited by the same thing: the space we have available. Unless you're remodeling, but that's another topic for another day. Your use of space will be key in helping to define the feeling created and how your space can be really used. Whether you have vaulted ceilings or a small footprint, you have to work with the space you have.
You'll want to make sure you're creating open space (not to be confused with open concepts). I'm talking about making sure to avoid overly cluttered rooms that feel like they're closing in on you. You don't have to be a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination, but make sure that you are able to do the things that are important to you in your space and that it feels right to you.
Flow and movement are also really important when considering space. Arrange your furniture and decor to facilitate easy movement between spaces. I like 4 ft walkways in my home so that I don't feel trapped or constricted. And while that may not always be possible, keeping that in mind helps me decide where I place things ultimately.
Tight spaces are harder to maneuver with more people in the room. For example, a dining room where the table and chairs are a tight fit might make entertaining a challenge.
Whew! That was a lot. Now that you've learned a bit more about how to give your home a through line, I hope you're realizing that some of these elements are already in play in your space and that you can look at your home with a new perspective as you work to make it a place you love to be.
Now that we've covered these aspects of giving your home a through line, what would you add? Do you agree or disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
