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.
Use them in the kitchen for serving or even to contain countertop clutter.
via: The Honeycomb Home
When used in your living room, they are perfect for coffee table vignettes.
via All Things Girly
In the bedroom, they can contain nightstand essentials, dresser clutter or a pile of your favorite books.
Brighten up your office by using a serving tray to hold a pretty plant along with your desk supplies.
Here are a few of my favorite 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.
Larger baskets are great for storage. You can hide things in plain sight.
Stack several sturdy lidded baskets to create a multi-functional end table.
via Pinterest
Use them to store your extra pillows and throws for a beautiful yet functional display.
Some of my favorite baskets from around the web.
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.
This cylinder vase brings a little nature and life into the room with fresh greenery.
Creating a grouping of vases for a simple centerpiece.
A smaller vase on a nightstand looks perfectly understated.
This next photo is from the 2015 HGTV Dream Home. I counted at least 10 cylinder vases throughout this house!
Here a few cylinder vases in various shapes and sizes to get you started.
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. 🙂
Propped up on a shelf or a mantel, they add texture. Their round shape also helps to offset the boxiness of the shelves.
Create a simple, natural wall hanging by hanging them from a branch.
Hang one from a mirror for added interest!
I love them hanging from the back of a dining chair, especially around the holidays.
Here are a few boxwood wreaths from around the web.
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.
If you have any old benches lying around, toss a sheepskin rug over it for instant chic!
Draped over the sofa, it adds texture.
Thereseromell
They make great area rugs as well.
When it comes to decorating accessories, layering is a trick of the trade. See how they’re used here behind the pillows.
They help soften up hardwood seating in the dining room.
I’ve rounded up a few sheepskin rugs in a variety of sizes for you.
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?
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
Thanks, Kelly & I agree about the sheepskin rugs, I love them!
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!
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]
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
That’s a great list of decorating “staples.” Your examples are wonderful!
Great post and super pics to show how to use these fabulous finds. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
This is a BIG source of home inspiration! Love your post!
Gorgeous ideas! I’m pinning this post, because I need ideas to decorate my new home 🙂 Thanks! I’d love for you to share this beautiful link over at my blog. I’ve got a linky here: http://chronicallycontent.com/2015/02/together-tuesdays-25-giveaway.html 🙂
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.
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!
Great ideas, but I especially like all the photos of trays and the variety of ways to use them!!
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!
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!
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
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
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!
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
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!
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
Hey bj, Costco seems to carry sheepskin wreaths seasonally in the winter, and last winter they came in several colors. Hope this helps. Judy
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
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!
Love this collection. This is a Friday Favorites at http://notatrophywife.com
Thanks for linking up and hope to see you this week! Would lOVE little social media shoutout to help us 4 hosts build this party! laura
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.
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
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.