Little decor ideas for big impact: add a statement piece (especially to neutral spaces)

Neutral rooms can get a bad rap. They’re often called boring or uninspiring or just plain dull. Being a neutral lover, I obviously disagree with this BUT, and it’s a big but, this can be true if a neutral room is missing one important design element — a statement piece which is what todays little decor idea is all about.

This key part of a neutral room isn’t talked about much and I wonder why because it’s so important. Yes, neutral rooms do need texture, contrast, scale and all that but even with that, some rooms can still look flat and the answer is often because it’s lacking a statement piece.

What is a statement piece?

A statement piece is essentially (at least) one piece of decor that creates interest and stands out. It becomes the focal point of a room and is usually the first thing you notice when you walk in to a room. It’s about an impactful piece that draws the eye without being at odds with the rest of your decor.

So if your neutral room is looking flat, adding a statement piece of your choice will be transformative. The best way to show this is with photos which I’ve got plenty of both above and below — you’ll easily be able to pick out the statement piece/s in every photo.

Statement pieces can be lighting, furniture, art and decorative objects. They can be large or small depending on the room but they always draw your eye to them. That said, there is one caveat: if you’re lucky enough to live in a home with lots of architectural details, then you may not need a standout piece even in a neutral room because the architectural features create plenty of interest.

Here are a few ideas for statement pieces:

a statement light whether a pendant, a floor or table lamp
a piece of furniture like a chair
an unexpected piece of art
an eye-catching decorative object (a sculpture, vase, candle holder etc)
a large sculptural plant
a vintage piece in a modern interior

The above are all related to pieces of decor but you can also create a focal point simply by playing with scale like in the dining room above where they have an oversized light above the dining table or like in the living room above with the very large artwork. Or you can play with shapes too. Simple things like adding a curved seat to a living room with lots of angular furniture or even adding a large curved floor lamp in an unexpected place will create that focal point.

statement sculpture on dining table
There are several ways to add a statement piece to a room, it really comes down to personal preference. And remember, it doesn’t always have to be big or dominant, just something that draws your eye and creates interest in the room.