If You’re Looking for a Little Design Inspiration, Think Big
Oversize lights, prints, kitchen islands and more show that larger-than-life decor is taking off
At my recent visits to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Orlando, Florida, and the Interior Design Show in Toronto, both in January, I noticed several big trends. And “big” is the operative word here. I saw large-scale furniture and fixtures and lots of oversize art and decor. Designers know that sometimes being brave and using big design ideas (literally and figuratively) can make even a small space look larger than life. So here are my favorite ways to implement big pieces in any home, for big design results.
Like the idea of oversize lights but don’t want them to consume your view? Consider lights that have a big shape but with a lot of negative space, like this large pendant with a bigger outer “cage” in metal and a smaller, breezy shade within. The visual impact is still strong but without such a weighty appearance.
Browse pendant lights
Browse pendant lights
Large Prints and Patterns
For this project of ours, we created a customized mural print as a wallpaper treatment to give this kitchen a sense of life. Because it would be one of a kind, we wanted to make sure it really made a statement, so we had the leaves and birds scaled to roughly life size. The lush hues are natural and livable, so the pattern is eye-catching but not overwhelming.
10 tips for finding the right wallpaper pattern
For this project of ours, we created a customized mural print as a wallpaper treatment to give this kitchen a sense of life. Because it would be one of a kind, we wanted to make sure it really made a statement, so we had the leaves and birds scaled to roughly life size. The lush hues are natural and livable, so the pattern is eye-catching but not overwhelming.
10 tips for finding the right wallpaper pattern
Massive Islands
A large island, one that even extends beyond the lines of the cabinetry and into an adjacent space, gives you plenty of room to prep and cook, but also to pull up a stool and dine in comfort.
Consider skipping the eat-in dining table in a nearby nook, and instead extend your island for a more multifunctional design approach.
A large island, one that even extends beyond the lines of the cabinetry and into an adjacent space, gives you plenty of room to prep and cook, but also to pull up a stool and dine in comfort.
Consider skipping the eat-in dining table in a nearby nook, and instead extend your island for a more multifunctional design approach.
Big Seating
In today’s market full of “condo-size” furnishings, many homeowners think it’s best to choose compact pieces and fit in as many seats as possible.
However, sometimes all you really want is a great single seat that you can curl up in for true comfort.
Browse chairs
In today’s market full of “condo-size” furnishings, many homeowners think it’s best to choose compact pieces and fit in as many seats as possible.
However, sometimes all you really want is a great single seat that you can curl up in for true comfort.
Browse chairs
By choosing fewer but larger chairs, or a single roomy chaise or sofa, sometimes you can actually make a space feel bigger and enjoy using it much more. You may reduce the circulation space a bit or have less room for a chunky coffee table, but once you’re curled up with a spot to perch with a good book and a glass of wine, you’ll be glad you went big.
Supersize Art
Gallery-style displays have had their day, but the big look for walls in 2018 and beyond is the use of singular oversize art pieces that let the eye focus on one thing instead of a montage of tiny images. After all, we already get enough of those as we stare at our little screens all day, so when it comes to dressing the walls, it’s a good opportunity to give your eyes a break.
Gallery-style displays have had their day, but the big look for walls in 2018 and beyond is the use of singular oversize art pieces that let the eye focus on one thing instead of a montage of tiny images. After all, we already get enough of those as we stare at our little screens all day, so when it comes to dressing the walls, it’s a good opportunity to give your eyes a break.
Huge Mirrors
Want to make an artistic statement on your wall while also visually doubling the size of your room? A large-scale mirror in a simple black frame looks like a piece of art, while also expanding your sightlines to give the illusion of a much bigger space.
Try using a round mirror like this instead of the usual rectangular shape to soften the edges of a crisp, modern room.
Want to make an artistic statement on your wall while also visually doubling the size of your room? A large-scale mirror in a simple black frame looks like a piece of art, while also expanding your sightlines to give the illusion of a much bigger space.
Try using a round mirror like this instead of the usual rectangular shape to soften the edges of a crisp, modern room.
Large-Format Planks and Tiles
There are so many flooring materials to choose from, but whether you choose stone, wood or porcelain, consider using a big, wide tile or plank to make a strong statement that grounds the space.
A large-format tile reduces the amount of grout needed, which in turn helps create the look of a single seamless surface. On the other hand, a large stone tile or wood plank helps show off the natural character of the material, for a rich sense of texture.
There are so many flooring materials to choose from, but whether you choose stone, wood or porcelain, consider using a big, wide tile or plank to make a strong statement that grounds the space.
A large-format tile reduces the amount of grout needed, which in turn helps create the look of a single seamless surface. On the other hand, a large stone tile or wood plank helps show off the natural character of the material, for a rich sense of texture.
Enormous Tables
Choosing a larger dining table may mean having less circulation space available, but the trade-off is that when everyone is settled in, there’s plenty of room for a beautiful spread.
To save space in the room, consider pushing the table up close to one wall or even close to a sideboard so there is only circulation space on one side. This way you can still get in or out, but you have an extra foot or two of table on one end.
Choosing a larger dining table may mean having less circulation space available, but the trade-off is that when everyone is settled in, there’s plenty of room for a beautiful spread.
To save space in the room, consider pushing the table up close to one wall or even close to a sideboard so there is only circulation space on one side. This way you can still get in or out, but you have an extra foot or two of table on one end.
Expansive Stone Slabs
Want to make the ultimate luxe statement in your bathroom or shower? A single wall dressed edge to edge with one or two large stone slabs gives the whole space a strong focal point. Whether you tile the remaining walls in a more subdued material or even leave them bare, all eyes will be on that one splurge feature wall, making the entire room look high-end.
Want to make the ultimate luxe statement in your bathroom or shower? A single wall dressed edge to edge with one or two large stone slabs gives the whole space a strong focal point. Whether you tile the remaining walls in a more subdued material or even leave them bare, all eyes will be on that one splurge feature wall, making the entire room look high-end.
Oversize Rugs
Area rugs are best used when they reach far enough to let all of the pieces in a seating group at least rest two legs on the carpet — but arguably they are even better when they can completely fill the entire area, or even virtually the whole room.
Area rugs are best used when they reach far enough to let all of the pieces in a seating group at least rest two legs on the carpet — but arguably they are even better when they can completely fill the entire area, or even virtually the whole room.
A rug will always look more high-end when properly sized, so consider going up a size (or two) from the minimum you think you need, even if that means choosing a more plain weave to balance it out. The result is a sophisticated and manorly appearance, even if you eventually get a bigger home or different furniture, so it’s well worth the bigger investment.
Browse oversize rugs
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Browse home furniture and decor products
Browse oversize rugs
More
11 Enduring Kitchen Ideas From the Industry’s Biggest Event
Will These 10 Colors Be Big in 2018?
Interior Design Trends Expected to Take Hold in 2018
Other Resources on Houzz
Get advice
Find a professional
Browse home furniture and decor products
Sometimes you don’t need glitzy crystals or flashy materials to create drama with your lighting. Oversize pendants have been popular for a while, but they only seem to be getting bigger.
A few pendants in a simple shape on a large scale create a statement above an island, over a dining table, in an entryway or even over a seating group. Let the pendants (two to three added together) be a total width that’s over two-thirds of the width of the surface below to give an island or dining table a strong punctuation mark.