Decorating
How to Showcase a 'Signature Piece' in Your Home
Pay attention to backdrop, layout and atmosphere to bring out the best in a favourite design
Whether it’s furniture, lighting, flooring or artwork, a much-loved piece can lift a look in an instant. Try these simple ways to turn your favourite find into the undisputed star of the room.
Narrow the focus with minimal distractions
The enemy of the signature piece is clutter. You don’t want lots of paraphernalia stealing the limelight from your prize buy. The designers of this kitchen have kept the dining area free of everything bar the table, chairs and beautiful lighting.
What helps here, too, is the use of black and white. A beautiful piece in black set against a white background has maximum standout.
The enemy of the signature piece is clutter. You don’t want lots of paraphernalia stealing the limelight from your prize buy. The designers of this kitchen have kept the dining area free of everything bar the table, chairs and beautiful lighting.
What helps here, too, is the use of black and white. A beautiful piece in black set against a white background has maximum standout.
Draw attention with flowers
The modern console table by Decorus in this smart hallway comes to the fore thanks to a vase of pretty, top-lit alliums.
This signature piece is a subtle one, at first glance blending in like fitted furniture, tucked precisely under the dado. But the flowers make us notice it more, drawing our eye to its Jenga-like stand and bold simplicity.
Use floral arrangements to pinpoint your signature item. Try a fireplace in summer or on a favourite piece of furniture, such as a feature sideboard.
The modern console table by Decorus in this smart hallway comes to the fore thanks to a vase of pretty, top-lit alliums.
This signature piece is a subtle one, at first glance blending in like fitted furniture, tucked precisely under the dado. But the flowers make us notice it more, drawing our eye to its Jenga-like stand and bold simplicity.
Use floral arrangements to pinpoint your signature item. Try a fireplace in summer or on a favourite piece of furniture, such as a feature sideboard.
Surround a centrepiece
The hierarchy of features in this living room is unmistakeable. The layout of the furniture makes the modern wood-burning stove the undisputed star.
The designer has given it the central role of a more traditional fireplace by gathering all the other pieces around it. Colour helps achieve this, too: in a neutral space, a single black feature will always come to the fore.
Find fireplace and stove professionals in the Houzz Directory
The hierarchy of features in this living room is unmistakeable. The layout of the furniture makes the modern wood-burning stove the undisputed star.
The designer has given it the central role of a more traditional fireplace by gathering all the other pieces around it. Colour helps achieve this, too: in a neutral space, a single black feature will always come to the fore.
Find fireplace and stove professionals in the Houzz Directory
Channel gallery style
A little isolation can work wonders for art. Here, a wirework sculpture by Debi O’Hehir holds court in a hallway stripped back of all other interest. Niche shelving provides a plinth and spotlighting, while a whitewashed backdrop creates contrast.
Take a cue from exhibitions and how they use staging and lighting to present artefacts to best effect. Foregrounding a single piece like this can carry the decorative interest of a whole room.
A little isolation can work wonders for art. Here, a wirework sculpture by Debi O’Hehir holds court in a hallway stripped back of all other interest. Niche shelving provides a plinth and spotlighting, while a whitewashed backdrop creates contrast.
Take a cue from exhibitions and how they use staging and lighting to present artefacts to best effect. Foregrounding a single piece like this can carry the decorative interest of a whole room.
Big up with a bright shade
Colour is a quick and easy way to highlight a signature piece. In this living room, the rich pink velvet sofa draws the eye immediately.
This scheme also shows that a hero piece needn’t necessarily be surrounded by pale colours and simple forms in order to make an impact – the room is filled with detail and warm colour. The trick is to be bold enough with your accent shade that it trumps all others – and a fabric that catches the light, like this velvet, helps add to the appeal, too.
If a bright sofa is too big and bold for your taste, consider a smaller item, such as a velvet ottoman or decorative lamp, in a bright accent shade instead.
Colour is a quick and easy way to highlight a signature piece. In this living room, the rich pink velvet sofa draws the eye immediately.
This scheme also shows that a hero piece needn’t necessarily be surrounded by pale colours and simple forms in order to make an impact – the room is filled with detail and warm colour. The trick is to be bold enough with your accent shade that it trumps all others – and a fabric that catches the light, like this velvet, helps add to the appeal, too.
If a bright sofa is too big and bold for your taste, consider a smaller item, such as a velvet ottoman or decorative lamp, in a bright accent shade instead.
Let an image transform the mood
Use the colours, beauty and humour of artwork to lift the feel of a room. This piece is hung in prime position above the bed and is so inherently joyful that it transforms the space.
Look for something that tones with your surroundings, but also has an accent shade you can pick out to use on a couple of accessories around the room.
The designers of this bedroom have referenced the yellow of the dress and umbrella in the wall light, helping not only to tie the look together, but to boost the vibrancy of the picture.
Browse artwork and prints in a huge range of styles in the Houzz Shop
Use the colours, beauty and humour of artwork to lift the feel of a room. This piece is hung in prime position above the bed and is so inherently joyful that it transforms the space.
Look for something that tones with your surroundings, but also has an accent shade you can pick out to use on a couple of accessories around the room.
The designers of this bedroom have referenced the yellow of the dress and umbrella in the wall light, helping not only to tie the look together, but to boost the vibrancy of the picture.
Browse artwork and prints in a huge range of styles in the Houzz Shop
Create contrast with concentrated pattern
In an all-white space, concentrated pattern can be king. This eaves office has a pale colour scheme to lift light levels, but on the floor a patterned rug carries the focus as well as helping to ground the design.
Rugs can be focal points in all sorts of ways besides pattern. Look for deep-pile designs where texture is the point of difference, or unusual shapes that can break up an open-plan space or create a stage for a dining table and chairs.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite interiors piece and how have you presented it in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section.
In an all-white space, concentrated pattern can be king. This eaves office has a pale colour scheme to lift light levels, but on the floor a patterned rug carries the focus as well as helping to ground the design.
Rugs can be focal points in all sorts of ways besides pattern. Look for deep-pile designs where texture is the point of difference, or unusual shapes that can break up an open-plan space or create a stage for a dining table and chairs.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite interiors piece and how have you presented it in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section.
Think about shape. The organic design of this saddle-inspired Louisiana chair and ottoman by Vico Magistretti works its magic because it contrasts with the linear architecture, staircase and shelving around it.
Using shape – rather than colour or pattern – as a distinguishing feature creates a point of focus in a calm and sophisticated way.
While most of us may not have fabulous designer pieces like this to play with, we can use the curving lines of a rug, oversized round cushions or French-style bowed furniture to draw the eye in rooms that are predominantly angular.