Using Decor In Unexpected Ways

Make a Statement by Using Key Decor Pieces in Unexpected Ways and Places

Hello! Today we’re going to address a fun way to make your home unique. I’m talking about using key decor pieces in unexpected ways to make a statement. You can take this concept and run as wild and quirky with it as you want. Just promise to make it suit you and your style personality.

Curved, silver towel hooks have a unique J shape to hold multiple towels or clothing items.- the Inspired Decorator

I have recently revamped the main bathroom in our house to fit in with the rest of our home. I’m also doing it as a guest participant in the One Room Challenge, which is wrapping up next week. You can read more about it in my project reveal for the ORC.

And while the bathroom is very neutral and soothing, I still like to add fun pieces into my designs. Here are a few ways to use decor to add a hit of personality to a room.

Unique Artwork

A trio of watercolor art combine the homeowners love of botanical prints and continuous line art. They are framed in dark brown frames to match the mirror above the sink.- the Inspired Decorator

There are so many styles of art and photography that you’d be hard pressed to find something that doesn’t work for you. Art is a form of self expression. So what better way to add your personality to a room than with a fun painting or photo? Or a collage or gallery of them! They are great for adding pops of color, emphasizing a theme, or even just adding hints of your favorite things to your room.

That Doesn’t Belong There

A burlap wreath is hanging above the white porcelain toilet. Not something you normally see in a bathroom. It's a unique idea for using decor in an unexpected ways. The hand towel provides a pop of teal color in the background.- the Inspired Decorator

You can really throw “the rules” out the window when you are decorating your home to match your own style instead of a magazine guideline. Do you have a wall decor that wouldn’t traditionally work in the room your decorating? Give it a try anyways!

A close up view of the DIY burlap wreath that hangs in the bathroom. It is sun-bleached but stilling holding up strong. There is a cluster of white daisies, green hrandragea blossoms, and a yellow carnation near the bottom of the wreath. - the Inspired Decorator

This burlap wreath was my first DIY wreath. I recently replaced it with a blue hydrangea wreath for the front door but couldn’t part ways with it. It’s still in great shape, besides being a little sun-bleached. Then it hit me! Add my rustic and aged burlap wreath to my new farmhouse-inspired bathroom! A wreath doesn’t normally go up in a bathroom but it really adds charm (and it’s the perfect size) to the area above the toilet. It’s one of the ways I am using decor in unexpected ways in my home.

Fun Trinkets

A mason jar soap dispenser and faux greenery arrangement lend to the farmhouse-inspired feel in the bathroom. But the little white elephant decor tucked in with them is an unexpected surprise. This little elephant treasure is an example of a way to add an element of surprise by using decor in an unexpected and unique way.- the Inspired Decorator

Trinkets and decorative pieces are fun to mix and match. Whether something is sentimental, ridiculously bright, or gawdy, play around with your decor, and don’t be afraid to move things around.

I added a little faux greenery to the bathroom sink beside my new mason-jar soap dispenser. And my cute little elephant ring holder. The elephant doesn’t fit in with the farmhouse-vibe but it’s adorable tucked along with the others.

Repurpose and Reuse Pieces

The light fixture was cleaned up and reused in the bathroom. IT coordinates with the chrome faucet of the sink below. The dark vanity and framed mirror compliment the dark frames of the bathroom art on the opposite wall. - the Inspired Decorator

I initially planned to replace the light fixture in the bathroom, but due to travel restrictions, I couldn’t go out shopping for a new fixture. So I started to prepare for Plan B; replace the light sconces.

This is actually a great way to update a light fixture on a budget. Simply swap out the glass sconces for something new! You get the look of a brand new light- but not the full cost. Unfortunately, lighting stores and hardware stores alike would not ship out a box full of glass sconces to me. Something about them being too fragile. So it’s Plan C: use the same light but clean it.

And that’s what I did. I scraped old paint drops off the metal arms, washed up the glass sconces, updated the light bulbs, and put it all back together. It looks new again, and I don’t mind it so much after all. I am still toying with the idea of spray painting the glass sconces with a frosted glass though to dim my LED bulbs some. Didn’t factor that in when I painted the bathroom white!

Before you toss out an old piece of furniture, look it over again and see if you can think of ways it could be repurposed. Keep in mind that paint can be really transformative.

Use all 6 Room Surfaces

The suspended ceiling of the bathroom uses 3D ceiling tiles for added texture and interest. - the Inspired Decorator

By that I mean, don’t ignore the floor and ceiling when you are decorating and trying to make a statement. This bathroom has a fun cork-patterned vinyl floor and tray-ceiling styled suspended ceiling. They aren’t really loud and in your face, but they are an unexpected way to have fun in space, even a small bathroom.

Big Space, Small Space

Next week I will do a full reveal of the main bathroom project. But for now, you can see examples of how I am using decor in unexpected ways with the room that I have. This bathroom is only 5×7. You don’t have to have a large room to add lots of personality to it. Just stay true to your personal design style and you’ll love the outcome.

For more inspiration check out some of the projects by the other participants of the One Room Challenge.

Here are the other posts in the Main Bathroom Project series: Week 1– Week 2– Week 3– Week 4– Week 6 – Week 7- Week 8

Thanks for joining me!