You walk into a home’s entryway and the lighting fixture above immediately draws your eye. The hand-carved wood in the expansive chandelier takes your breath away, and its installation seems to defy gravity itself.
Jump to:
THAT’S a statement piece.
In the living room, you see a console table made of mixed glass, white oak, and patina copper that shows off every artisanal detail. You can tell someone crafted it by hand.
That’s a statement piece, too!
In the dining room, a striking contemporary art piece transforms the meal into an experience.
These statement pieces aren’t just beautiful selections…they’re conversation starters, story tellers, and BOLD declarations of taste and style.
It is possible to get a statement piece all wrong, though…and that risks making your investment a source of disappointment rather the bold statement you crave.
Here’s how to incorporate statement pieces into your home, just like a professional designer…
First step: identify any personal meaning or emotional impact…
A statement piece should do more than look good. It should SPEAK to you. You should truly love it (since that’s what Loving Your HomeTM is about). It might tell a story, or it might show something about your personality. But if it doesn’t evoke a STRONG emotional response, your selections risks becoming just another “thing” in your home.
Here’s how to know if your statement piece has the right dose of emotional impact…
- Ask yourself: does the piece instantly make you smile, reminisce, or feel inspired? (If not, why are you even considering it?!)
- Can you explain in one passionate sentence why it belongs in your home?
- Does it make anyone else feel something beyond “Oh, that looks nice?”
Next up…determine functionality vs. pure art
The old debate…should a statement piece be functional, or is it okay if it’s purely artistic?
The answer? Both are valid! However, you need to be INTENTIONAL about it. A functional statement piece (like a sculptural coffee table) should still command attention. But an art-forward piece (like a massive abstract painting) must be incorporated in a way that it doesn’t get in the way of the functional pieces.
For example, imagine a jaw-dropping, high-back velvet chair…gorgeous, but totally unusable because it’s SO uncomfortable. Or a light fixture that’s stunning but doesn’t illuminate the space very well. A statement piece should not be put in the position of “playing a part” it wasn’t made for.
If it’s art, it’s art! If it’s functional, make sure it works the way it’s supposed to!!
How to decide if function or art takes the lead…
- Ask yourself…do you need this piece to serve a purpose, or do you just love it?
- If it is functional, does it still have that “WOW” factor to make it a statement piece?!
- If it’s purely artistic, do you have enough space to be a visual-only focal point?
Material and craftsmanship
Here’s the truth…luxury is in the quality of something, not the brand name. A true statement piece is NEVER made of cheap materials or careless craftsmanship!! It’s actually the quality and authenticity that make people say, “Wow, this is incredible!”
To get to that level of quality, both craftsmanship and materials matter.
If you skimp on quality, you’ll know it before long. And worse? Your guests will know it! A poorly made statement ages badly and cheapens the rest of your home.
Here’s how to assess material and craftsmanship:
- Ask yourself, does it feel luxurious when you touch it? (If not…move on!!)
- Can you see the artistry and details up close?
- Will this material age beautifully, or will it look tired in five years?
Understand scale and proportion
Bigger isn’t always better, but when it comes to statement pieces, it often is!! Now, a statement piece should have a deliberate footprint in the space…but it also shouldn’t swallow it whole.
Get size and scale wrong, and the entire room will feel “off.”
Try these best practices to see if the piece you want is “right sized” for your space..
- Before even purchasing it, mark out its footprint on the floor (or wall) with painter’s tape to match it’s dimensions…then check, does it feel cramped or awkwardly small?
- Consider EVERY dimension, too. A tall piece in a room with a standard ceiling might feel crowed, but a low-profile statement piece in a high-ceilinged room could feel lost. Consider the height of windows, doors, and the trim and crown molding, too…
- Next, ask yourself, does the piece make sense with the furniture around it?
- Now stand back—does the piece feel anchored in the space?
Understand spatial flow and movement
A statement piece should enhance the way you move through a space, NOT disrupt it. Ignoring flow means inviting frustration into your daily life.
Here’s how to ensure good flow…
- Walk around the room…do you have to adjust your path to accommodate the piece?
- Next, check: does the piece block any natural pathways?
- Then ask yourself: does the piece feel like it was meant to be there or like it was squeezed in?
Where science meets art: lighting design!!
The right lighting can make or break a statement piece. PERIOD. You wouldn’t hang a priceless painting in a dark hallway, right?! And a breathtaking chandelier? That deserves a setup that allows it to shine—literally!
Without proper lighting, even the most amazing statement piece can fade into the background.
Take these steps to perfectly light your statement piece:
- First, does your statement piece have its own light source (like a chandelier) or does it rely on ambient lighting?
- If it isn’t a light source itself, ask yourself, would directional lighting enhance it?
- Then, ask a designer…does the current lighting design in your space create the right mood and drama?
Commit to one or the other: aesthetic harmony or bold contrast
Some statement pieces blend into a space. Others command attention through contrast.
The key? Intention! If you’re incorporating something bold, make sure it’s a conscious choice…not a design accident!!
If your balance is off, then you risk a space that either feels flat (if everything is matchy-matchy) or one that feels like CHAOS. Neither is a good look.
Here’s how to decide between harmony or contrast for your statement piece…
- Ask yourself, does the piece complement or standapart from your current design?
- If it is a contrast piece, does it still feel connected to the space in some way?
- Would removing one or two elements improve or hurt the overall design?
When you get a statement piece right, it breathes into a space…and it transmits something powerful.
Get it wrong, though, and even the most exquisiteselections can feel awkward and misplaced.
Reach out today to book a consultation for your dream statement piece…why not dream with a little intention?!
Quiz: Your statement piece planner
Want to put all of these steps together?! Take the quiz with one statement piece in mind, and the result will be BOLD, intentional, and unforgettably yours!!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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