Time for a new arrangement! 7 inspiring ideas to see your home’s items in a whole new light
Arranging objects into compositions is that perfect finishing touch that brings warmth and personality to your décor. Gather the beautiful items in your home into delightful arrangements, then finish them with flowers.
Do you ever feel like you have beautiful items in your home, but they’re scattered all over? With a little effort, you can turn even the most familiar objects into eye-catching compositions. Best of all, this type of decorating can be completely free—no need to buy anything new.
Do you have colorful vases, antique candleholders, or stones gathered from nature waiting in your cupboards, longing to be displayed? Even a single stunning item can become a striking focal point and conversation piece with the right arrangement.
At its best, thinking up and compiling arrangements can turn into a year-round hobby that shifts with the seasons—a delightful way to relax. We’ve compiled seven ideas you can adopt for different kinds of arrangements. Experiment freely and watch your skills develop!
1. Strength in numbers
A fundamental rule of composition is at work here: a shared color scheme unites objects of varying shapes. The painting provides a nice backdrop, and the box serves as a base that brings items together and adds height variation.
2. A unifying force
How do you make an arrangement look cohesive when it’s made up of different kinds of items? The answer is a unifying base, such as a tray or marble slab. If you’re placing multiple arrangements on one piece of furniture, give each one its own defined zone by setting the items on a tray, tile, or even a beautifully worn cutting board. That way, the overall look won’t feel chaotic.
3. Flowers and books
The star of this relaxed arrangement is the framed poster, whose colors coordinate with the candles and the spines of the books, while its shapes are echoed in the clematis branch.
4. Light as a whisper
At its simplest, a harmonious arrangement can be created with just a few elements: a book with a beautiful cover, a shapely vase, and a few sprigs of baby’s breath that coordinate in color.
5. Five makes an arrangement
Some say you shouldn’t display all your décor items at once. But if you collect vases this enchanting, why keep them tucked away in a cupboard? The common thread can be anything: try gathering an assortment of dog figurines, glass bottles, or old cameras, for example.
6. Fruitful color
Ever noticed just how visually pleasing fruit and vegetables can be? A bowl of fruit—what a simple way to brighten up your home!
7. On a green note
Aimo Katajamäki’s wooden sculpture Kanikapina ‘Bunny Rebellion’ stands fist raised among the glass objects arranged on the floor. Lush greenery adds color and a note of hope.
3 ways to approach an arrangement
1. Consider contrasts.
Pick objects of different heights for your arrangement. Place the tallest in the back and gather the others around it. Combine different materials—shiny, matte, and textured—and play with shapes by mixing soft curves with sharp lines. Also look for contrasting colors.
2. Pick a theme.
You can also build your arrangement around a particular theme. If you love Paris, make an arrangement of your favorite souvenirs and French posters. If the sea is your happy place, pair shore stones, seashells, and ship lanterns.
3. Check the count.
Always choose an odd number of items for your arrangement—3, 5, or 7. It looks more dynamic than an even number.
