It is pretty easy to fall into the trappings of interior design urban myths. Ceilings must be white, you shouldn’t mix and match furniture sets, and don’t you dare stray from the mandatory kitchen triangle.
But sometimes these age-old interior design rules can actually be rather outdated decorating rules worth breaking. One of those rules is the idea that your furniture must be appropriately downsized so as not to overwhelm your space.
Often, people wrongly assume that small rooms should have equally small decor. But, as Taylor Migliazzo Simon, the Brooklyn designer behind the ‘Unexpected Red Theory,’ argues often – bigger really does mean better.
@intayriors Go big AND go home Images via Pinterest
‘When it comes to decorating your space, my advice is to go big and go home,’ says Taylor (@intayriors on TikTok) in her latest video.
Here we break down Taylor’s top 6 tips for upscaling in your home with a little bit of our own expertise in the mix.
How to upscale your decor
1. Hang your curtains up high
(Image credit: Shannon Eddings)
Hanging curtains that either fall too short (and look like too small pants) or are too long and bunched up is a surefire to show that a room hasn’t been designed by a professional. The other curtain mistake to avoid when considering how high should I hang my curtains is curtain poles that are hung too low.
‘Curtains should start at the ceiling and end all the way at the floor,’ Taylor suggests. ‘This elongates the room and makes the ceilings look taller.’
It’s an easy mistake, lots of us tend to sit the pole just on top of the window frame but if your ceiling height allows it always helps to give the illusion of a more lofty space.
2. Try oversized artwork
(Image credit: Montana Labelle Design)
‘Buy the biggest piece of art that will fit on the wall – this looks more put together than a gallery wall, in my opinion, and it really fills the space in an elegant way,’ says Taylor who has previously expressed her love for tiny art. The key, we think, is a balance of the two throughout your home.
‘A large piece is so much more of a statement,’ she continues. Many homeowners believe that small-scale wall art is necessary for walls with limited free area when actually, large wall hangings can make the area appear bigger and less cluttered than lots of smaller paintings.
When it comes to decorating with art, large wall art is a fantastic way to make a statement – and it is easier to shop for as you just need to set your sights on one statement piece.
3. Get the biggest light fixture possible
(Image credit: Studio Duggan)
While the big light debate is a sensitive (and viral) subject, it still has a much-needed place in our homes. Even if we don’t want to actually switch it on that often.
‘Buy the oversized light fixture,’ adds Taylor. ‘The scale of this light fixture makes a much bigger impact than if it was just a simple flush mount,’ she advises.
If you’re wondering what lighting makes a home look expensive, aside from creating a layering lighting look with multiple sources, a large and in-charge ceiling light is just the ticket. Granted, this could be a big investment, so look for timeless lighting trends and choose something you’ll love for years to come.
4. Rearrange larger pieces of furniture
(Image credit: Carley Summers)
Living room furniture ideas and trends will always favor new textiles, colors, and shapes of furniture but arranging living room furniture has more tried-and-tested rules to follow.
‘If you have the space, do two larger sofas rather than multiple chairs and other small pieces of furniture,’ she continues. ‘I don’t have the space for this,’ says Taylor, ‘but one day – I really love the look of two sofas facing each other.’
This is a great way to promote connection and conversation in a living room, and can even make the space appear bigger – similar to the idea of moving the couch away from the wall. And, just like larger art, larger furniture pieces can also have a greater impact than lots of little pieces, even in smaller rooms. So be sure to scale up to the biggest size you can fit while still being able to move around the space.
5. Scale up your shelving
(Image credit: Victoria-Maria Interior Design / Photography Nicolas Mathéus)
‘When you’re putting shelving in, make it as big as possible,’ is Taylor’s next suggestion. Why? Because it not only maximizes styling and storage space but draws your eye up and out, enhancing the proportions of the room.
‘If you can go wall-to-wall that’s even better,’ she continues. ‘This,’ she says referring to an image of a wall of shelving, ‘looks way more built-in than if you were to do some of those leaning shelves that are a bit smaller.’
Most living room shelving ideas are tucked into alcoves and niches, but if you’re fortunate enough to be able to create a full wall of shelves to house your book collection or perfect your vignette styling skills, this is your sign to do so.
6. Roll out a massive rug
(Image credit: Nordic Knots / Photography Clement Pascal)
‘And lastly, get a rug that covers as much of the floor as possible,’ says Taylor.
Among fabric durability and style, one of the most common area rug mistakes to avoid is getting one that is just too small. While it feels logical that you should want to show more breathing space with a smaller rug, it is a big misconception. In fact, the opposite is true and it will draw the eye inward, making the space feel smaller.
If you’re looking for the ultimate rug size guide, Taylor’s suggestion is always to try and choose the largest size that you can both fit and afford. ‘Ideally, you [should] have at least two of the legs on each piece of furniture sat on the rug – but the bigger the better,’ she explains.
Oversized Vintage Landscape Tapestry
‘A tapestry is another great way to fill a big wall,’ says Taylor in her video. This vintage-inspired tapestry from Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia will add warmth and texture to the barest of walls.
This tufted rug is lovely and thick for a soft and luxurious feel underfoot. The toffee and turquoise hues are softened with geometric lilac squares on a neutral backdrop.
With a bold art mid-century Italian influence, this wavy chandelier has 6 opal globe shades that will cast a soft warm glow across your dining table or living room.
From big chandeliers to even bigger rugs, take TikTok’s Taylor Simon’s advice on scaling up your home decor and furniture to create a bigger impact in your home.