09/03/2026
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BIG ROCKS, PEBBLES & SAND
There’s a great story about a college professor who wanted to teach his students a simple lesson about priorities. He stood in front of his class with an empty glass jar and filled it with big rocks. When he asked the students if the jar was full, they confidently replied, “Yes!”
The professor then pulled out a container of pebbles and poured them into the jar. The pebbles happily found their way into the spaces between the big rocks. “Is it full now?” he asked. The class, now feeling very confident in their jar-filling expertise, answered, “Definitely!”
Not so fast. The professor then pulled out a container of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand slipped into all the tiny spaces and crevices between the rocks and pebbles. “Now it’s full,” he said.
So, what does this have to do with furniture? Quite a lot, actually. When we design a room, we follow the same philosophy: start with the big rocks. The big rocks are the major pieces—the sectional, sofa, dining table, bed, or other foundational pieces that anchor the room. They establish the scale, style, function, and overall direction of the space.
Then come the pebbles: accent chairs, coffee tables, console tables, ottomans, side tables, and other smaller furnishings. These pieces fill in the room, complement the big pieces, and make the space functional and inviting.
Finally, we add the sand—the finishing touches that make a room feel finished rather than merely furnished. Lamps, pillows, artwork, vases, accessories, rugs, and all those little details that bring personality, warmth, and a little “you” into the space.
And here’s where this really hits home: Don’t fall in love with the sand before you’ve chosen your rocks!
It’s easy to get distracted by the fun stuff. That gorgeous lamp? Love it. That fabulous little side table? Need it. Those pillows? Obviously. But if we choose all of those things first, we may end up trying to build the room around a collection of things that were never meant to live together.
Starting with the larger, foundational pieces gives everything else a place to fall into. Your big pieces determine the scale, proportion, and style of the smaller pieces, creating a room that feels intentional and cohesive—not like a furniture store lost a bet.
So before you fall head over heels for the perfect lamp, the irresistible accent chair, or the side table, ask yourself: Have we chosen our big rocks yet? Because when it comes to great design, the order matters. Choose the rocks first. Add the pebbles next. Then have fun with the sand.
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