Decorating a space can be a lot of fun. It’s something you do any time you move someplace new, or when you want to revamp your current living space. But one thing I recommend before acquiring any objects intended solely for decor is to first consider how to furnish your space with functional decor. In other words, have pretty versions of the things you already use. When you do that, you fulfill two purposes. Firstly, you ensure that you have the things you need for your lifestyle. Secondly, you create an attractive atmosphere – with those very things you already need. After that, you can continue to furnish with purely decorative items as you wish – but covering the functional decor bases first will benefit anyone decorating a smaller space. It’s also ideal when you want to keep things minimalist (or to simply avoid extra dusting). Read on for twenty great ideas!
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1. Plants: the Quintessential Functional Decor
Plants are my number one go-to when it comes to functional decor, and here’s why. In addition to being classically beautiful, calming, and connecting us to the earth, they are great air purifiers. When you bring the outside in, you improve your health by improving your indoor air quality. And plants simply look wonderful.
If you are a plant novice and less likely to give lots of attention to your plants, start out with snake plants. They thrive in lots of light but they also tolerate low light conditions and infrequent watering with a sturdiness many other plants lack. You can find them among other hardy plants at your local nursery or hardware store. Sometimes you’ll find plants sold in grocery stores as well. The most important thing to remember is that it’s better to water too little than too much. And while some plants tolerate less light, all plants need some light (so don’t keep them in a windowless bathroom).
2. Lamps
Because we all have to see what we’re doing, we need interior lighting. And if bright overhead lights aren’t your thing, it’s splendidly easy to cast a more nicely-diffused light with floor or table lamps. You’ll find plenty of options used or new at all types of stores.
You can also hand-pick a simple table lamp in a variety of available colours. Or opt for something more delicate and natural-looking with this classy scalloped lamp. Either type of base would match many different decor styles with its light wood base and white shade.
3. Salt Lamps
Salt lamps are also considered air purifiers because they release negative ions. If you can’t keep a plant in a space, consider a salt lamp. They will sweat in humid conditions, so keep a small tray underneath to collect moisture if you keep your home humid. Salt lamps are wonderful in the evening or at night when you want a dim ambient light. They are a delightfully atmospheric functional decor choice when you want to set a mood or cast enough light to see by but not necessarily read by (i.e. watching a movie, etc.). You can fit small salt lamps in tighter spaces, or opt for a salt lamp with dimmer switch to vary its light output.
4. Fairy Lights
Speaking of ambient light, stringing up a strand of fairy lights is always an enchanting way to cast a pleasant glow. For maximum effect, hang curtain string lights from the ceiling or a window. Single strands, on the other hand, are flexible enough to decorate a table, bedframe, or mantel.
5. Candles: the Original Functional Decor
Candles are the original mood lighting. And if you light pure beeswax candles, you are also purifying the air (those nifty negative ions again). A beeswax tea light candle in a glass votive will look charming lit on a mantel or romantic tabletop. Always choose candles made with only beeswax, coconut wax, or soy wax, or some combination of those. And be wary of candles labeled ‘soy blend’ as that definitely includes some amount of toxic paraffin wax (unless clearly specified otherwise). Not only do candles provide ambient light, but naturally scented candles provide aromatherapy. Check out this list of intoxicating scents:
- Sugared lemon zest scented beeswax candle
- Tonka and oud scented soy wax candle
- Mango coconut scented soy wax candle
- Tobacco and teak scented beeswax candle
- Mexican churro scented soy wax candle
- Bubblegum scented soy wax candle
- Sandalwood scented soy wax candle
- Hygge scented soy wax candle (cypress, fir, pine, clove, fireside, orange peel, cinnamon, and ginger)
- Red blend wine scented soy wax candle
- Grape soda scented soy wax candle
- Strawberry shortcake scented soy wax candle
- Citrus agave scented soy wax candle
- Caribbean beach scented soy wax candle
- Apple harvest scented soy wax candle
- Apple bourbon scented soy wax candle
- Cherry scented soy wax candle
- Frankincense and myrrh scented soy wax candle
- Bermuda rum cake scented soy wax candle
- Rainforest scented soy wax candle
- Baccarat Rouge scented soy wax candle
- Magnolia scented soy wax candle
6. Cushions and Furniture
Furniture is one of the more expensive investments for your interior space. Many people enjoy DIY furniture rehab projects as an affordable option. Check out your local resale store for furniture pieces with great DIY potential.
Or, if you’re looking for uniquely brilliant pieces that someone else has already DIYed, you must check out a whimsical, hand-painted furniture and decor shop called Michele Sprague Design. No piece is alike and you surely won’t find anything else exactly like it!
Another great rehabbed furniture shop is a custom upholstery/refinished chair shop called Element20. You’ll find upholstered chairs like nothing you’ve ever seen! If you want to start an heirloom collection to pass along your family line, start here.
For a cheerful pop of colour, check out this set of 2 coral painted art deco nightstands/end tables. It’s creative pieces like this with high quality detail and etching that you can’t find at your mainstream furniture store.
For a more textured, traditional and earthy look, Moroccan kilim poufs are a beautiful option that perfectly suits a classic or natural design style. Floor cushions are wonderfully versatile and count as furniture if you are a floor sitter or want to use it as a mini table or a footrest. Or, opt for a soft knotted cushion. Textured cushions – whether used as a pillow, footrest, or seat – are wonderful for adding softness and dimension to a space.
7. Bird Decoys
Bird decoys function to deflect birds from flying into a screenless window to their injury or death. This is especially important in the spring when migratory flocks pass by. It’s easy to make your own decoy to hang over a window with whatever small items hung from string.
I made a coastal-inspired decoy of hanging seashells to cover a screenless sunroom window after one such songbird broke its neck there (no casualties since!).
Sticker decoys are a popular decoy option and easy to apply. This set of 22 window sticker bird decoys in iridescent circles and rings is a pretty way to keep potentially colliding birds at bay. The seller has many different designs available – moon phases, different floras, mandalas, animals, and so much more.
8. Tissue Box Covers
Don’t want to pay brand-name prices just to get the prettier disposable tissue boxes (which you’ll eventually throw away/recycle)? Don’t care for the ugly off-brand designs? Tissue box covers to the rescue! You can find a great variety of tissue box covers for any style.
I love this nautical wooden tissue holder. It’s perfect for a beachy-themed house or to furnish a house on the coast. You can’t physically fit the cardboard box inside, but it’s easy to remove most of the tissues and secure them inside. It looks much nicer than an unattractive cardboard tissue box.
9. Canvas Growth Chart
Growth charts are a great way to keep track of your child’s height without having to mark up your wall or door. If you are nostalgic for your children’s growth and development, use one of these in lieu of your home’s structural interior – especially if you’ll ever move again. Check out a variety of adorable wooden handmade growth charts with themes from giraffes to cacti to customized rulers. Or hang a fun ocean-themed black and white canvas growth chart.
10. Tell Time with Style
Clocks are convenient to have for a quick glance to catch the time. There’s something about an analog clock that registers more quickly in the brain. Maybe because it’s a spatial-visual representation of the time. We learned the clock hands’ positions from a young age and can always register the time as such. Reading a digital clock requires one extra step: translate numbers to time. With analog, you can simply look and the time registers. Plus, it’s easy to see clock hand positions in dim light. And, conveniently, analog clocks double as functional decor when they’re attractive! I snagged my own clock on a recent beach trip: a fun rustic captain’s wheel (image on left).
Another perfect find for a beachy house is this similar nautical wooden desk clock. Remember that, like most clocks you purchase, it does not come with the requisite single AA battery so grab one from your battery stash (or stock up if need be).
11. Smart Phone Docking Stations: Functional Decor for Your Phone
Wood is a natural and attractive material that looks much nicer than plastic electronic accessories. This personalized docking station makes a great gift that’s both useful and handsome. It has specific spots for your phone, wallet, watch, sunglasses, keys, pen, and other small things. A convenient all-in-one organizer for those important things you don’t want to misplace!
12. Yoga Mat Stand
Yoga enthusiasts: if you are a dedicated yogi but don’t have a place to stash your mat that’s both convenient and aesthetically pleasing, you’re in luck! You don’t have to store your yoga mat somewhere unsightly anymore. This decorative yoga mat stand is like a wider umbrella holder that secures your yoga mat and keeps it from drooping about. It’s made from recycled kraft paper and recycled wood, and it’s definitely an aesthetic upgrade when you want a chic home without athletic props in sight.
13. Storage: Functional Decor as Decorative Trays and Bins
We all need places to put stuff. And not just stuff we like to see, but stuff we need and don’t necessarily want to see, too. That is where we learn to organize storage space. When you have the right storage containers, organizing things is a lot easier (and prettier).
This square cork tray is a unique and handsome way to contain small things like keys or business cards. Portuguese cork is a beautiful, lightweight and natural material that complements a space with neutral colours and natural textures.
For items that don’t look unsightly but would look better in a bundled arrangement, use handsome cork trays to organize mail, bottles or other regularly-used staples.
These small peach fabric storage bins are great for hiding smaller items on shelves or tables. The rectangular one perfectly fits the above-mentioned unsightly cardboard tissue boxes.
For larger items such as blankets or paperwork, this set of 3 fabric storage baskets looks nice on shelves or under tables.
And this set of 3 unfinished wood nesting trays with handles is perfect to contain mail of varying sizes, or any other objects you want to contain in an orderly manner.
14. Functional Decor for Music
There is something very unattractive about bulky black speakers. It seems the electronics industry pays little heed to designing equipment made to match attractive home design, with the exception of some quality (and pricey) European brands. While this set of small white wired desktop speakers definitely still looks techy, its smaller size and lighter colour are friendlier on the eyes.
15. Ceiling Fan Blade Covers
I recently discovered these custom ceiling fan blade covers – perfect for a ceiling makeover! Whether swapping out a new ceiling fan isn’t in your budget or whether you simply want a new look, you can re-vamp your ceiling in a myriad of different customizations.
16. Functional Decor in the Kitchen: Dish Towels
Dishcloths are a great way to switch from wasting paper towels to adopting sustainable cleaning habits. These embroidered tea towels are dainty and pretty. Or, opt for a reusable Swedish dishcloth with fun fruit patterns. These colourful Turkish hand towels are beautiful and easy to match to any home style. Plant lovers will adore this monstera-print dish towel or any of the other fun tea towel designs from its crafter.
17. Handsome Trivets
Functional decor includes displaying attractive kitchen items. These handsome cork trivets are not only useful to protect your tabletops from hot pots but they also lend to an attractive counter backdrop when leaned upright against the wall.
18. Wrap Your Daily Bread with Style
A reusable beeswax bread wrap is the perfect way to dress your fresh loaf of bread you bring home from the market or local grocer. It’s also a perfect way to store your homemade bread. It’s a fun and sustainable method to keep bread fresh and easily accessible on your countertop.
Why not keep your bread in the plastic/papery container it came in from the store? Because that won’t reliably keep it soft and fresh for long. Case in point: as I write this, I am struggling to saw off a slice of the Italian loaf I recently purchased since its plastic bag split a couple of days ago. That let in all kinds of air to harden it and even though I can still dip it in soup to sufficiently soften, it’s a challenge to cut. Had I wrapped it in a reusable bread bag, problem could have been avoided!
19. Playful Functional Decor: Disney Drinkwear
Disney fans, did you know you can drink a cuppa from an Aladdin’s lamp teapot?
Many cuppas later, I can attest to its fabulous place as functional decor that serves both nostalgia and tea. Just remember to not pour boiling water inside. Wait until boiled water has cooled a few seconds to avoid micro-cracking. The micro-cracking isn’t nearly deep enough to cause leaks, but it isn’t ideal for health and structural purposes. In addition to serving tea, you can also use this lamp as a mini flower vase or simply as a fun table topper.
20. Bedding
Bedding is an important functional decor staple because your bed takes up a substantial portion of visual real estate in the bedroom. You want your bedding to be both comfortable and visually appealing. To start, choose a pillowcase and sheet set in a colour you love. Top it with an attractive comforter or blanket as your bedroom’s decorative centerpiece. You want to start and end your day surrounded by visual appeal!
The Takeaway: Choose Things That Serve a Purpose and are Attractive
The majority of decor items I showcase in Space Improvement are functional in some way. That’s because I am a fan of avoiding extra objects that don’t serve a purpose (unless they look fantastic and make you really happy!) and avoiding clutter in general. So whatever specific style I introduce in any given post, you’ll find a repeat of many staples for that style: pillows, rugs, curtains, blankets, lamps, etc. All of these things serve a purpose other than simply looking great (but the point is that they also look great!).
The things you use that serve a function need not look hideous. And the things you use to decorate your home need not simply collect dust, à la grandma’s tchotchkes. With so many creative makers and online platforms from which to sell their wares, it’s easier than ever to find handsome versions of the things you need. And while there is a place for decor that simply serves a decorative purpose, it’s best to start with functional decor and then embellish as needed. You’ll at least have what you need, and in classy form, too!