We can learn a lot about this particular scene from this photo. You can tell the street and buildings have been there for a long time, and are still regularly utilized. It’s also easy to appreciate how lovely the view is through the archway. For the people who live here, however, they probably just walk through without noticing the details.

How many times do you walk through your own doorways without looking? Let’s get inspiration from this photo to make sure we’re paying attention to the views our home provides.

First, notice the focal point of this photo – the doorway at the end of the street. Everything in this photo pulls us toward that door. The street, the sidewalks and the building lead our eyes to the back. In the same way, your flooring can draw the eye into a room, particularly when tile or wood provides a line for the eye to follow. Be sure the room has something worth looking at, a focal point.  It could be a piece of art or a fireplace.

Another reason this photo is inviting comes from the contrasts. A white building, a dark door with all of the shadows and textures along the way come to life as your eye ventures down the street. Are your rooms designed to be interesting to people as they walk in?  Consider having contrasting colors to give your room more character.

We may not have the cobble stone streets and old world buildings to garner attention, but our homes can take inspiration from this photo. If you pause in your own archways or doorways, you will see what kind of view your home provides.  We sometimes forget to stop and take a good look at our surroundings. Even the smallest details can make a big difference in your room’s appearance.