Five Unexpected Places To Decorate

Collected, interesting homes are always full of layers that keep your eyes moving around a space. The best designed rooms keep you looking to find those little delights. Here are five of my favorite unexpected places to decorate:

Under Tables(Or Chairs)

So much of decorating focuses on drawing your eye up in a room, but let’s not forget about looking low as well. This is where little details can really shine. If you have an open space under a table or a console, think about ways to add interest and texture. Consoles are almost always decorated underneath, but regular tables without a bottom shelf can be too. Be selective with how many tables you choose to add decor under, as you don’t want your overall look to get too cluttered.

Footstools are an often overlooked accessory that can add more ‘oomph’ to a seating arrangement. Simply tucking one under your favorite chair instantly creates a layer of interest by injecting color, texture, and pattern. Plus, it serves to make a tall chair more comfortable for lounging.

In The Shower

Here’s a really unexpected place to decorate – your shower! It’s a space that’s used daily, so why not make it as pretty and enjoyable as possible? And no, I’m not saying you should add textiles or paintings in here – think more natural or functional in this space. If you have room, consider adding a beautiful teak bench with natural sponges and brushes. Decant your hair and body products into pretty bottles to give your shower a neat and cohesive look.

To create an even more spa-like feel, add live plants into your shower. We’ve all heard the benefits of houseplants on our mental and physical health, so why not use them to elevate your shower, too? If you have a fairly large space, think about adding a plant stand with humidity-loving plants for an exotic look. Even a small shower can benefit from adding plants. Use your walls to create a vertical garden with either traditional wall-mounted planters, or a beautiful Kokedama. You could even hang a bundle of(slightly) crushed Eucalyptus leaves from the shower head to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine.

In The Fireplace

If you have a fireplace, chances are it’s unused a good portion of the year. Since it’s also often the focal point of the room, make it count! Decorating in a fireplace is an unexpected way to add interest to your room.

Each spring I remove the spark screen and log rack and give my fireplace a good cleaning. I store the screen and log rack so I’m left with an empty space. Of course, then I fill it up!

Plants are my favorite summer decor, and a fireplace is the perfect place to add a pop of green. Boston ferns look great in a fireplace and help soften the surround. Just make sure you turn them weekly to ensure they get proper light. Floral arrangements also add color and texture to a boring firebox and can be changed often to keep your look fresh.

Plants aren’t the only thing to consider adding to your fireplace. Books, sculptures, or even art can make add interest to your fireplace in the off season. If adding decor here seems stressful, a beautiful fire screen or even a folding room divider can make a beautiful statement.

What if you have a closed gas fireplace? You can still add interest with a screen, or decorate in front if space allows. Lean(or hang) a piece of art on your fireplace for an eclectic touch. A large woven basket adds great contrasting texture as well as storage.

On Mirrors

You know from a previous post, that I LOVE decorating with mirrors, but even they can benefit from a bit of layering. An unexpected design trick is to decorate your decorations. Really. Consider the mirror as your decor ‘base’, and then add something interesting on top. Here are some of my favorite items to layer over a mirror:

• Wreaths
• Art
• More Mirrors
• Architectural Pieces

On Chair Backs

If your mind immediately went to chair sashes at a wedding reception, fear not! We won’t be doing any of that today. However, chair backs are an often overlooked and unexpected place to decorate. I tend to keep things simple here, so it doesn’t look like a corporate event. A small wreath is my favorite way to add a pop of color and freshness to a chair back. Seasonal items such as bells, greenery, or ornaments work well too. However, this is one layering element I would use with restraint…too much and your room will look cluttered and contrived. Perhaps just add a simple touch to barstools in the kitchen or to your patio dining chairs.

Unexpected Places To Decorate: Make It Yours

Don’t be afraid of unconventional decorating – have fun with it and create a home that is unique as you are. These unexpected moments of beauty will not only add charm, they will also give you joy and create a sense of peace and well being. Happy Nesting!