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DESIGN 101
Statement Piece Furniture
As you’re considering your home decor, you might focus on the basics when it comes to furniture: a place to sit, sleep, and eat. But when you want to bring a new kind of beauty and mood to the space, you might need to go beyond the basics. One element can be the ultimate finishing touch: the furniture statement piece.
What Are Furniture Statement Pieces?
Styling a room is an attempt to bring cohesion and a distinct aesthetic to a space. Often you can elevate this style by including one piece that’s particularly bold, distinct, and attention-grabbing. This is your statement piece.
A statement piece can take many different forms. It might be a sofa, a rug, a piece of artwork, or even that stunning shade of green paint you happened to spot at the hardware store. By working with your room’s decor you can find that one element that brings your home design to the next level.
Statement Pieces by Room
There are few rules when it comes to finding the right statement piece. By its nature, a statement piece draws attention, which means there’s space for the unusual and distinct. To create a consistent style and cohesion, consider some unique elements that might fit the mood of whatever room you’re working with.
Statement pieces for a living room
Most living rooms have a few mandatory furniture pieces: typically a sofa and coffee table. You can make either of these distinct by playing with color or shape. A bold hue on the sofa or an unexpected shape, like a curved back, can draw the eye of all those who enter the room. Done right, it can also provide a welcoming space you want to spend time in.
Entryway statement pieces
The entryway is the site of first impressions for new visitors, but somehow it’s often forgotten when it comes to design. Especially if your space doubles as a mudroom, it can be tough to keep it organized, let alone stylish. An entryway statement piece can do a lot of this heavy lifting, with a stunning bench or coat rack and storage combination unit to bring new life.
Bedroom statement pieces
Your bedroom is often a quiet place where you find respite. The statement piece should be one that’s especially right for your personal aesthetic while still offering comfort. Consider a bed with a unique headboard, perhaps a round or sloped shape. The bedroom is also an ideal place for an antique full-length mirror or armoire you stumbled upon during your shopping adventures.
Statement pieces for a bathroom
Your statement pieces can come right down to the detailing or millwork. The bathroom is a great place for those special touches, like distinct faucets and taps in gold or a sink perched on an exposed pillar. The clawfoot tub is a classic statement piece that brings a touch of class and distinct style to the room.
Dining room statement pieces
Many dining rooms are all about the table, and you can make this piece of furniture your statement. Consider mixing styles to create the element of surprise. This is also an ideal space for statement art, which can take a place of prominence on one wall. A sculpture placed on a nearby mantle can also act as a pleasing piece to draw attention.
Tips for Choosing a Furniture Statement Piece
Although there are no rules for statement pieces, a few tips can help guide your selection. They might make it easier to arrive at just the right effect you’re after in the room.
Have one statement piece
A statement piece isn’t much of a statement if it gets lost in the crowd. Having just one statement piece prevents the room’s design from being incoherent. The rest of the room should flow seamlessly, giving an overall sense of a planned look. There are some exceptions to this tip. For example, if you have a pair of identical side tables that are your statement piece in a living room, they might work perfectly on either side of a sofa.
Create a focal point
The statement piece is meant to draw attention. So it’s wise to give some thought as to where you want that attention to be drawn. A sofa placed in the center of the living room, a piece of modern art over the fireplace, or a round headboard in a bedroom all draw the eye to that point. A focal point should help visitors enjoy the entire space, by welcoming them inside. There’s little value in encouraging them to look at a corner or shaded area of the room.
Don’t overwhelm the space
Playing with size and shape is the name of the game, but it’s critical to make the piece fit with the room. It probably won’t work to have a high headboard in a bedroom with a low ceiling or a long sofa in an already cramped living room. Measure carefully!
Choose a piece with personal meaning
A statement piece receives a lot of attention, so it should be something you want to highlight in your home. It’s a great idea to select an item special to you, like a painting that’s also a family heirloom, a framed collage of pictures of close friends, or an artisan sculpture you picked up during a memorable trip.
Select a timeless piece
Sometimes “statement” implies “trendy”, but trends change. If you’re planning to regularly swap out your statement piece, following a trend might be just the thing. But if you want to get comfortable with your home style, consider a piece that can navigate changing trends. The piece sets the tone for the rest of the room, and you probably don't want to always reconsider how a new piece fits in with the rest of your decor.
Make a Statement With Your Furniture
Your home style can reach the next level with a statement piece in each room. Choose an item that elevates the rest of your style while being true to your personal aesthetics.