How to Make Everyday Objects Work as Home Decor -

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Decorating doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn how using everyday objects as home decor can create a warm, cozy, functional home.

Throw pillows and baskets are an example of everyday objects that work as cozy home decor. — *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains other affiliate links too for your convenience. You can read my privacy policy for more details.

As I was “redecorating” our home after the holidays…

You know, putting things away, moving things around, and trying not to make a bigger mess in the process (which always ends up not working), a lightbulb moment hit me.

I found myself looking at the pieces I was pulling out and asking myself a simple question:

Why shouldn’t our decor work for us?

Not just sit there looking pretty.

Not just filling a corner or a shelf.

But actually serving a purpose.

The objects I kept reaching for were the same ones I use almost everyday.

Baskets, trays, stools, along with kitchen linens and utensils.

They weren’t bought to necessarily be “decor”, but somehow they were the pieces making our home feel the most cozy.

That’s when it clicked for me…some of the best decor isn’t decorative at all.

It’s the everyday objects that earn their place by being useful and beautiful at the same time.

And what I’ve found is that once you start decorating with pieces that serve more than one purpose, your home begins to feel easier to live in.

Less cluttered.

More like a place meant to be enjoyed instead of constantly styled.

So in this post, I’m sharing how use every day objects as home decor, a smarter, not harder decorating approach to creating that cozy home we all dream of.

Why Decorating With Everyday Objects Makes Sense

White couch with green and beige throw pillows on the couch with a basket hanging on the wall for easy home decor.

When you decorate with practical pieces, your home will naturally feel more welcoming and less staged.

These are the pieces that move with your life.

For instance, baskets that are filled and emptied, trays that corral clutter, stools that get pulled up when you need an extra seat or a place to set a cup of coffee.

They’re practical, yes, but they also tell a story.

A story of the real life happening inside your home.

When you stop decorating for looks alone and start decorating for how you actually live, your home functions better for your family.

It’s a smarter, not harder way to decorate because you’re choosing pieces that are both useful AND beautiful.

Next time you’re thinking about a decor purchase for your home, ask yourself:

“How will this actually be used in our home?”

Will it hold something we reach for every day?
Can it move from room to room if we need it to?
Does it serve more than one purpose?

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, that’s usually a win.

And more often than not, those are the pieces that you end up reaching for again, and again, and again.

Everyday Objects That Work as Functional Home Decor

Some of the most practical decorations are the every day objects you already use and love.

Below, I’m sharing a few examples of items that do double duty in our home, adding warmth while also serving a purpose.

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Baskets are the MVP of Everyday Decor

Rattan basket with framed art hanging on living room are affordable ways to decorate your home with everyday objects.

Baskets might be one of the hardest working items in our home, and I honestly don’t think you can ever have too many (I need Mr. ERH to read this).

They’re the perfect example of an everyday item that naturally works as home decor without even trying.

A basket can hold throw blankets in the living room, extra pillows in a corner, shoes by the door, or even toys that need a spot at the end of the day.

At the same time, baskets add texture, warmth, and that cozy, collected feeling.

The best part about decorating with baskets is how flexible they are.

They adjust with your needs.

A basket that holds blankets in the winter might store sandals in the summer or gardening supplies by the back door.

A few ways baskets can do double duty around your home:

Blanket storage in the living room or family room.
Shoe catchers by the front or back door.
Toy or game storage that’s easy to tuck away.
Extra pillow storage in a bedroom corner.
Catch-all baskets for things that need a home but don’t need to be seen.
Wall decor, styled as a basket wall or hung individually to add texture and warmth.

COZY TIP: Choose baskets made from natural materials like wicker, seagrass, or rattan. They add instant texture and work with almost any decorating style.

Throw Pillows & Blankets: Comfort That Works as Decor

Floral and gingham throw pillows on the couch are examples of functional home decor in the living room.

Throw pillows and throw blankets might seem like obvious decor pieces, but they’re also some of the most functional items in our home.

They’re there to be used.

For cold evenings, stacked up for movie nights, or layered in when a room needs a little extra warmth.

Decorating with pillows and blankets is a great way to instantly make a space feel more inviting without requiring a big commitment.

They’re easy to move and easy to swap seasonally.

A few ways pillows & blankets serve more than one purpose:

Extra warmth on the couch or chair when the house feels chilly.
Soft layers that make seating more comfortable.
Easy seasonal updates without redecorating an entire room.
Texture and color that add depth to neutral spaces.

Display Your Everyday Reading

Multi-purpose decorations in a neutral living room with green and cream pillows.

Books, magazines, catalogs, and cookbooks are some of my favorite everyday objects to decorate with because they make our house feel personal.

These are pieces that are meant to be picked up, flipped through, and used.

When reading material is left out intentionally, like a stack of books on a side table or a favorite magazine tucked into a basket help a home feel warm and welcoming.

Cookbooks are one of those items that naturally blur the line between useful and beautiful.

When they’re within reach, they invite you to try a new recipe or fall back on a familiar favorite.

P.S. Recipe boxes and recipe cards are another example!

A few ways reading material works as functional home decor:

Coffee table styling with stacked books and magazines.
Side table accents that add height and visual interest.
Basket storage for current magazines, catalogs, or cookbooks.
Kitchen counter or open shelving decor with cookbooks you actually use.
Easy access to things you enjoy reading, cooking from, and revisiting

I’m Heidi, the heart and hands behind Eleanor Rose Home.

Heidi and her dachshund rescue Eleanor Roosevelt.

I’ll show you that your home can become a place of warmth, comfort, and style with practical tips, creative ideas, and my own journey to help you create a space that feels like you…welcoming, personal, and full of charm.

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Trays That Corral (and Decorate)

Real touch fake hydrangeas from Amazon in a vase on the kitchen counter with a candle.

When I talk about trays, I’m using the term loosely.

A tray doesn’t have to be something labeled “tray” online or in the store.

Some of the best trays are everyday objects you already own.

For instance, a wooden cutting board, a shallow basket, or even a large platter.

Whatever “tray” you decide to use, it’s an easy way to make your home feel more put together.

They don’t demand attention, but they do a lot of behind-the-scenes work like gathering everyday items and keeping surfaces tidy.

A tray gives objects a place to land, whether that’s on a coffee table, kitchen counter, nightstand, or entryway console.

You’ll find that things feel styled when you use a tray, instead of scattered.

A few ways to utilize trays in your decor:

Coffee table corrals for remotes, coasters, and a candle or two.
Kitchen counter organizers for oils, salt and pepper, or everyday utensils.
Nightstand trays to keep essentials like a lamp, book, and glasses together.
Entryway catch-alls for keys, wallets, and sunglasses.
Bathroom trays to group soaps, lotions, or rolled hand towels.

COZY TIP: When styling a tray, stick to groups of odd numbers like 3–5 items, vary the heights, and leave a little breathing room so everything doesn’t feel crowded.

Stools, Benches, and Small Furniture Serve More Than One Purpose

A cream ottoman and rattan baskets used as everyday home decor in a cozy cottage style home.

Some of the hardest working pieces in our home aren’t the big statement furniture items.

They’re the smaller ones that move where they’re needed most.

Stools, benches, ottomans, and other smaller pieces of furniture are incredibly flexible.

A stool can act as a side table one day and a plant stand the next.

A bench might live in the entryway catching shoes and bags, then get moved into the dining room when extra seating is needed.

A few ways to use stools, benches, or ottomans around your home:

Extra seating when guests stop by.
Side tables beside a sofa, chair, or bed.
Plant stands or display spots for baskets and books.
Entryway helpers for shoes, bags, or quick drop zones.
Bedroom accents at the foot of the bed or in a quiet corner.

Kitchen Items That Belong Out in the Open

Practical kitchen pieces that you can decorate with in your home include kitchen towels, glass canisters, and baskets with linens.

If there is one room in your home that is the easiest to decorate with every day objects, it’s the kitchen.

So many of the things we use daily are already beautiful in their own way.

When kitchen items are left out intentionally, they honestly don’t feel like clutter, they feel warm, useful, and inviting.

Pieces like a wooden cutting board leaning against the backsplash, a crock or ironstone pitcher filled with cooking utensils next to the stove, or ceramic mixing bowls stacked on open shelving.

Instead of hiding everything away, you’re letting the things you already use become part of your kitchen’s charm.

A few kitchen pieces that easily work as decorations:

Plates displayed on open shelving, in plate racks, or hung on the wall.
Cookbooks displayed on counters or open shelves.
Glass jars for pantry staples like flour, sugar, or coffee.
Kitchen linens like towels and dishcloths folded, draped, or hung within reach.
Utensil crocks that keep everyday tools within reach.
Pitchers or carafes used for utensils, flowers, or serving.
Wooden cutting boards leaned against a backsplash or used as trays.

COZY TIP: When decorating your kitchen, make sure it still works for everyday life. You should be able to use your counters easily without having to move anything. The goal is cozy, not crowded.

More Decor Ideas That Will Earn Their Place in Your Home

Once you start looking at your home through this lens, you realize how many everyday objects already deserve to be out in the open.

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Here are some other ideas to inspire you…

Vintage board games stacked on shelves or tucked into baskets for family game nights.
Dominos and card decks displayed in small bowls, boxes, or trays.
Candles displayed on trays, mantels, or side tables for instant coziness.
Greenery like houseplants, clipped branches, or herbs in simple pots or jars.
Serving pieces such as cake stands, platters, or bowls left out between uses.
Vases that rotate between holding flowers and standing on their own.
Tablecloths and cloth napkins neatly stacked and displayed in a cabinet or hutch.

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A Few Things to Remember About Multi-Purpose Home Decor

Cozy living room decorated with every day items to create a warm and inviting space.

If there’s one thing I hope you takeaway from this post, it’s that decorating doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.

When every day objects are allowed to work as home decor, your home will naturally feel more like you.

A couple of tips to keep in mind…

Function comes first. If an item doesn’t work for your everyday life, it might eventually feel like clutter.
Smarter, not harder for the win. Choose pieces that serve more than one purpose whenever possible.
Use what you already have. Some of the best decor is already sitting in your cabinets, closets, or drawers.
Less really is more. A few meaningful, useful items will always feel better than too many decorative extras.
Let your home look lived-in. A home that’s meant to be used will always feel more inviting than one that’s perfectly styled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to decorate with everyday objects?
Decorating with everyday objects means using items you already own and use regularly like baskets, trays, books, kitchen pieces, and linens as part of your home decor instead of hiding them away.

Won’t this make my home look cluttered?
Not if it’s done intentionally. The key is to be selective and give everyday objects a “home.” Group items together, leave breathing room, and keep surfaces functional so your space feels cozy and not crowded.

How do I decide which everyday objects to leave out?
Ask yourself two simple questions: Do I use this regularly? and Does it add warmth or character to the space? If the answer is yes to both, it’s a good candidate to put on display!

Can everyday objects still look decorative?
Yes, absolutely. Many everyday items are beautiful because of their materials, shape, or patina. Wood, ceramic, glass, fabric, and vintage pieces often look better when they’re used rather than hidden.