Unique Home Décor

Unconventional Embellishments for Your Living Space

Apr 17, 2009 Annie Suh

Many unique decorating ideas are developed by taking old concepts and using them in a novel way. The following list is a helpful starting point to rouse your mind.

Unique Home Décor Ideas

• Curtain rod as a magazine rack: Stylish and practical, a curtain rod can be used to hang periodicals in your living room, bedroom or bathroom. If you decide to put one in the bathroom, select a short pole and fasten it on the wall behind the lavatory. That way you can keep the tank’s lid clear for potpourri, candles or plants. It’s best to select a rod that is thin and sturdy. Ikea store is an inexpensive option that sells a variety of styles.

• Decorating with fake food: Whether you’re staging your home to make it more salable or trying to make your kitchen top or dining table look fresh, fake food displays can be a stylish, fun and appetizing way to brighten up your eating space. Restaurants sometimes use shellac to varnish their food for window display. If that’s not an option, you can purchase fake food items that look deceivingly real.

DecorCentral.com sells an extensive list of ersatz food and drink items including cakes, nuts, fruits and spilled items of milk, ketchup, wine, coffee and others. Displaying spilled items as a decoration piece can be a fun way to add some quirkiness to your home and amuse guests.

• Wall art for illusion effect: Think of an object you can hang things on such as a chair, tree branch, coat rack, etc. For a creative effect, paint the object on the wall or use wall stickers. Then place hooks or nails tactically on the parts you would hang the items on. For instance, if you decide to put up a tree branch, place hooks spread apart on different branches so that the space below doesn’t interfere with long dangling items. That way there is ample room to hang your coat, bag or jewelry.

• Shadowbox frames: Shadowbox frames are reminiscent of the shoebox dioramas that were made in grade school, except these are elegant versions. Use the frames to create your own story, to enhance a proud certificate of achievement with objects that helped you achieve it, or to fill them with coffee beans, jellybeans, flowers, or your other favorite items.

• Hanging ceiling decorations: Ceiling hangers can add flair to a dull room. They can be used as practical room dividers using beads, origami birds or shells tied on fishing string. Sheer muslin or fabric also works well if you want a more enclosed look. If all you want are ceiling hangers for decorative purposes, select an object that matches your space. Some objects you can use might be a bird cage, candle lamp or figurine that you can easily attach a string on.

Finding Inspiration for Unique Home Décor

A helpful way to develop a creative or unique eye is to compile pictures and images of designs you like. They can be clippings from magazines, images on the Web, camera shots of things you saw and liked. Flipping through the images you collect will inspire you and rouse your imagination.

Creative Resources

• FermLivingShop.us: online store that specializes in wall papers and stickers.
• 2Modern.com: popular site that sells contemporary furniture, lighting and artwork.
• Jellio.com: takes fun items from childhood and turns them into quality life-size furnishings such as their giant Rubik’s Cube table or large GummiLight.
• ApartmentTherapy.com: a popular blog for home design enthusiasts living in cities.