7 Ways to Style Statement Furniture
Design is about adventure, the search for new frontiers that can’t always be expressed with words. So why is that so many of us play it safe with our interiors? Statement furniture, whether a designer chandelier or eccentric modern armchair represent the pinnacle of creativity, the essence of the designer distilled. It’s easy to feel like these iconic pieces of art couldn’t work in your home, when really they make for unforgettable interiors. Rather than missing out on a fabulous design opportunity, keep in mind these simple tricks and you’ll have everything you need to confidently style statement furniture in your own home.
1. Balance Is Key
Epic Dining Table
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This season has seen its fair share of statement styles as trends such as retro-futurism and new nordic have come whizzing onto our design radar. Rich in texture and wonderfully sinuous, they promise to add real personality to contemporary homes, but how best to style them? The key here is balance, as beautifully exemplified by the image above.
As a general rule, earthy tones and textures are a great anchor for statement prints and shapes. In our showroom, the commanding Epic travertine table is offset by the oh-so-traditional C-Chair, in a beautiful example of past meets present. Another tip for styling statement focal points is to opt for clean lines elsewhere in the room. This could take the form of linear pendant lights or shelving — each of which works to frame the space with a sense of calm and clarity.
2. Start In The Bedroom
For those who feel slightly hesitant about incorporating bold furniture into shared living spaces, consider introducing a more adventurous piece in the bedroom. Philippe Starck once said that good design is about creating a stage where people can be “sexier and more brilliant, a place where they can awake smarter”. The bedroom offers one such unique opportunity. Go all-in with a beautiful four-poster bed or opt for statement mirrors and storage that will help maximise your space.
3. Tiers of Joy
We live in a visually over-saturated society. Advertisements, screens, neon lights, they all work overtime for our attention, so the last thing you want when you arrive home from work is to surround yourself in an environment where there is too much going on. The focus here is on creative interiors that inspire not overwhelm.
Position your standout pieces on different levels, a Moooi Wardrobe with a Verpan rug, or a carefully positioned cluster of pendant lights. Make full use of the space you have on offer in the room and don’t be afraid to statement furniture in to help tell your interior story.
4. Use Metallic Accents To Tie Everything Together
Gone are the days of matching beige with brown, interior designers now favour the use of metallic accents to help co-ordinate statement furniture from different eras and brands. Interior Stylist and Creative Director, Hannah Bort, exemplifies this perfectly, using metallic accents as the unifying dynamic for this stylish room set.
5. Good Things Come In Threes
A quirky colour scheme can be just the thing to help show off your statement pieces. In the image above, Amanda Smith-Corston expert use of colours enables the juxtaposition of both classic and contemporary elements. The Perf Sideboard and Fishbone Side Table by Moroso sit in perfect harmony with Cassina’s LC1 Armchair and Superleggera Dining Chair despite being designed over 50 years apart.
As a general rule, we recommend sticking with three colours, one for a base and the other two as complementary shades. Try to steer clear of matching your walls and furniture unless you’re able to break things up with an intermediary feature wall.
6. Room To Breathe
We’ve touched on it briefly above, but balancing every aspect of your room requires no small degree of planning. Take a step back and get a feel for the space you’re trying to create. Don’t be surprised if simply by moving a few objects around you’re left with an entirely new interior.
While doing so, think about which objects will surround your statement piece. If your statement item is the type of leading lady that needs no introduction, give her space to work her magic in the room. If you need illumination in that corner, opt for a slender floor lamp or a dainty pendant lamp. Louis Poulsen’s AJ Floor Lamp or Established & Sons Torch S1 Pendant Light offers a focused moment of brightness that won’t steal the show.
7. Indulge in A Quick Fix
If you’re not quite ready to commit to an entire statement room, a designer rug or feature wall is the perfect first step for experimenting with bold design. The Mirage rug by GAN injects warmth and colour into neutral interiors while a modern wallpaper from London Art or Mineheart is a great temporary option for transforming your interior.
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