The 5 Most Versatile Decorating Accessories

Your holiday decorations have been packed away for weeks. You’ve been decluttering & organizing. Now is a great time to look at your space with a fresh eye. If you are looking to add a few new decorating accessories, these 5 should top your list. Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also versatile, affordable & multi-functional!

These are the items that prop stylists reach for again and again because they work virtually anywhere. Just like your favorite pair of shoes can complete an outfit, these pieces help complete a room.

Essential Decorating Accessory #1- Serving Trays

Serving trays can be used absolutely anywhere. They are a great way to keep several small items together without looking messy. They can make anything look organized. Or use them to showcase your prettiest accessories. And they work in every room of the house.

You can even use them in the bathroom to corral smaller items.

serving tray in bathroom

HGTV

Use them in the kitchen for serving or even to contain countertop clutter.

round woven serving tray

via: The Honeycomb Home

When used in your living room, they are perfect for coffee table vignettes.

serving tray on coffee table

via All Things Girly

In the bedroom, they can contain nightstand essentials, dresser clutter or a pile of your favorite books.

serving tray on ottoman

 HGTV

Brighten up your office by using a serving tray to hold a pretty plant along with your desk supplies.

Organized desk

Up To Date Interiors

Here are a few of my favorite serving trays.

Serving Trays

Rattan Serving Tray / Green Serving Tray / Woodland Serving Tray

Versatile Decorating Accessory #2-Baskets

Beautiful and functional, baskets are also a great way to store things out of sight. As an added bonus, they also add texture to your space.

You can use baskets as art. The baskets in this first picture were sold at West Elm a few years ago. They aren’t available anymore and I regretted not ordering them. Fortunately, I did end up finding another set of wall baskets for my daughter’s room.

via: The Honeycomb Home

You can use the baskets as a serving tray as well. Win/win.

baskets for storage

Heather Bullard

 Larger baskets are great for storage. You can hide things in plain sight.

baskets under console

 MidWest Living

 Stack several sturdy lidded baskets to create a multi-functional end table.

stacked baskets

via Pinterest

 Use them to store your extra pillows and throws for a beautiful yet functional display.

Basket for pillows and throws

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Some of my favorite baskets from around the web.

decorative baskets

Lidded baskets / Houndstooth basket / Basket with handles

Essential Home Decor #3 – Cylinder Vases

Cylinder vases actually come in all shapes and sizes. These are amazing for creating the height you need in your vignettes. They’re great for displaying florals and branches. You can also use them in the kitchen. I have one that I keep my lemons and limes in. Or you can use them for seasonal displays, for example, ornaments at Christmas. You could fill them with wine corks for added texture. Or group several together for impact…the possibilities are endless.

Cylinder vase bar cart

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This cylinder vase brings a little nature and life into the room with fresh greenery.

Why cylinder vases are one of the top 5 most versatile decorating accessories.  Find out the other four here!

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Creating a grouping of vases for a simple centerpiece.

Cylinder vase farmhouse room

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A smaller vase on a nightstand looks perfectly understated.

Cylinder vase white bedroom

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This next photo is from the 2015 HGTV Dream Home. I counted at least 10 cylinder vases throughout this house!

Dream home vases

HGTV

Here a few cylinder vases in various shapes and sizes to get you started.

cylinder vases

short square / tall cylinders / short cylinders

#4 – Mini Boxwood Wreaths

Wreaths make great decorating accessories, but even more so when they’re mini.

The small wreaths are more versatile than the larger ones. Hang them from just about anywhere, set them on a shelf, or use around a candle as a centerpiece. They also provide a natural element.

After ordering one of these, I loved it so much I ordered a second one. The third is on its way now. 🙂

Preserved boxwood

Propped up on a shelf or a mantel, they add texture. Their round shape also helps to offset the boxiness of the shelves.

The five most versatile decorating accessories and how to style them in your own home!

Create a simple, natural wall hanging by hanging them from a branch.

Boxwood wreath trio

Hang one from a mirror for added interest!

boxwood wreath on mirror

Simplicity In The South

I love them hanging from the back of a dining chair, especially around the holidays.

boxwood on chair


Pinterest

Here are a few boxwood wreaths from around the web.

boxwood

clockwise:  8″wreath / 9″ set of four / 11″ wreath

#5 – Sheepskin Rugs

These little rugs are so versatile. I ordered one awhile back to throw over a metal desk chair that needed some cushion and I fell in love with the thing. They work with just about any decor, and look amazing contrasted with wood elements. The small Ikea rugs are so inexpensive, you could even get several and group them together for an area rug.

And on a side note, my dog loved this sheepskin rug better than he loved his dog bed.

Chair with sheepskin rug

The Design Files

If you have any old benches lying around, toss a sheepskin rug over it for instant chic!

Sheepskin bench

Via The Little Green Notebook

Draped over the sofa, it adds texture.

Sofa with sheepskin

Thereseromell

They make great area rugs as well.

Sheepskin rug nursery - versatile decorating accessories

Project Nursery

When it comes to decorating accessories, layering is a trick of the trade. See how they’re used here behind the pillows.

Sheepskin over couch

Centsational Girl 

They help soften up hardwood seating in the dining room.

Sheepskin bench

Pinterest

I’ve rounded up a few sheepskin rugs in a variety of sizes for you.

Sheepskin Rugs

21″ X 41″ / 39″ X 24″ / 2′ X 3′

So there you have your 5 most versatile decorating accessories! Aren’t they just the most hard-working little decor items?

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT 5 MORE VERSATILE DECORATING ACCESSORIES!


27 Comments

  1. I never thought of using a serving tray as a decorating accessory, what a great idea! I also love the sheepskin rugs, they create such a cosy ambience. Stopping by from #happinessishomemade

    1. Thanks, Kelly & I agree about the sheepskin rugs, I love them!

  2. I agree whole-heartedly with this list! I am still trying to find a nice serving tray. That has been on my to-get list for awhile!

  3. I love serving trays! I have two – one for stationary supplies, and one that holds dog toys (really!). I got simple and cheap ones, and then modpodged pretty scrapbook papers to the inside tray bits and they’re awesome!
    [Stopping by from Your Designs This Time]

  4. These are some wonderful decorating ideas to get me thinking and spruce things ups a bit. Thanks so much for sharing. I would love to have you share them with all of us at Motivational Monday Link Party. I know they will enjoy them as well.

    Bethany from The Southern Couture

  5. These are all great things for sure. I know I have some of them and I am constantly re arranging and using these same pieces all over my home.

  6. This list is amazing! Thanks for sharing. I love all of the ideas for using these pieces in different rooms of the home. You can never have too many cylinder vases!

  7. Great ideas, but I especially like all the photos of trays and the variety of ways to use them!!

  8. Great list! I have been wanting a sheepskin rug to throw over our office chair but I haven’t seen any lately that aren’t square! These are some great options! Thanks!

  9. I love all of these! I hate buying something that I can only use once or in one way. Thanks for all the great inspiration. And thank you for sharing with us at Talented Tuesday. I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day and you join us again next week!

  10. Hi Roxanne!

    I love all of your ideas. I definitely agree with baskets and trays…can change them around and use them in every room. I think its time to invest in some cylinder vases, especially with spring and decorating with fresh flowers around the corner. Thanks so much for linking up with Pretty Pintastic Party!

    Deb

  11. Hello beautiful! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. We can’t wait to party with you! Happy Valentines’ Day! Lou Lou Girls

  12. I use my cylinder vases a lot…and baskets too!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! Hope you come back and share some more!! Pinned!

  13. I have to agree with you…except for maybe the rug. I have an uber traditonal home so it might not work. I am always using trays and vases…and preserved boxwood. I am sheila from MyKentuckyLiving visiting from Marty’s link party.
    she

  14. These are some awesome tips! Thanks so much for linking up at Totally Terrific Tuesday! I hope you come link up again this week. The party starts at 10pm Monday night!

  15. LOVE this post…thanks so much.
    I’ve been looking for a sheepskin rug…where can I order the mini wreaths and I find the beautiful glass vases at Goodwill a lot.
    Here from Marty’s

    1. Hey bj, Costco seems to carry sheepskin wreaths seasonally in the winter, and last winter they came in several colors. Hope this helps. Judy

  16. Great suggestions, very practical, inexpensive, and any of them would make a strong statement. Already have most of them (love, love, LOVE sheepskins), and will be shopping for a boxwod wreath. Anybody know of a chain store that carries them ie Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics, even Walmart?

    Judy

  17. Yes. Great tips. I need to utilize a serving tray more often, but I guess some of it’s b/c I LOVE using baskets of all kinds. Thanks for linking to Show Me Saturday!

  18. Great post! I totally agree with all of these. I’m constantly using trays and baskets all over my house and I’m always needing more.

  19. this was great information, and love those lil boxwood wreaths and will be trying to find someplace to
    get some. I love the clear glass cylinders too, they are very versatile as you say. Love the tray and
    basket ideas too. Not so sure about the sheep skin tho!! lol

    Thanks for a fun post, enjoyed it.
    Blessings, Nellie

  20. So many great ideas! I have to get some of the boxwood wreaths! I’m featuring you this week on Friday Favorites! Thanks for linking up.

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