Some Ideas for Displaying Accessories

Balancing Act

Balance in a composition creates a kind of calm that appeals to our sense of order. To tip the scale in favor of a harmonious display, think about each element's visual weight. Of same-sized items, those with bright or dark colors will dominate less intense items. Objects with more texture, bolder patterns, and unusual outlines also seem heavier to the eye. In this collection of dried flowers and tin, the large rectangular box on the bottom was placed first for emphasis and as a solid building block. A substantially sized canteen and flower-filled grater form its partners in the first eye-grabbing triangle. You could stop there. Or, mass for impact, filling in with smaller but more intricate items that complete the balancing act and lend interesting contrast to the large, smooth objects. Proportion is key to displaying collectibles.

Room for Display

Large tabletops offer room to display your treasures. The vintage metal table and chair, rust and all, look perfectly at home with a changing display of fruit, vegetables, and wildflowers casually displayed in pieces from a collection of white ceramics.

A variety of heights gives this arrangement a pleasing flow.

Simple Backgrounds

The simple background of this space is the key to the room's uncluttered look -- a perfect backdrop for interesting pieces including vintage elements. Plants and flowers are wonderful accessories in this space. The mantel offers another arena to show off treasured items.

Focus on Shape

Eliminating color allows the eye to focus on the shape and texture of an object, such as this curvy garden table and baluster lamp. A dried flower arrangement fills the space under the lampshade while smaller pieces bring the eye all the way down to the tabletop -- a useful technique for any side table display.

Layer the Details

These items standing alone would look forlorn, yet in a grouping they sing. Layering pieces from front to back and from high to low is a great technique to apply to displays in your own home, creating dimension and depth.

Create Vignettes

A pair of large louvered shutters creates the feel of a mini-room. Use this technique to create intimacy and charm, both in large arrangements of furniture as well as smaller displays of accessories. Highlight special pieces by isolating them. Here, sparkling glass cloches (bell jars) cover little bird nests with a bit of style and shine.

Have a Focus

Collections should have a focus -- a specialty, if you will. Romantic lines and a sense of history connect these unusual pieces, with a focus on things that are vintage, white, distressed, ornate, natural, and sculptural. What's your accessory or collecting focus?

Vary Size to Keep the Eye Moving

Make a tiny shelf a point of interest by filling it with objects large and small. The white teapot is related to the tiny doll teacup by both color and function. The mix of sizes adds interest while the different shapes add charm.

Keep Small Collections Together

An old window was the starting point for this arched display niche. A box was built behind the window and fit with little shelves to provide a home for smaller items that might be lost on a big tabletop.

Notice how various items are propped up, filled with flowers, or extended outside of the window for added interest.

Corral Items You Love

These beautiful handwritten postcards might be from your attic or an antique store, but they speak to the nostalgic yearnings in our hearts. Look for items that speak to your heart and arrange them together. Using things you love, you'll find arranging, and even cleaning, will be more fun.

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