Home Decorating & Novelty Items

Decorative novelty items bring an air of the unusual to your home.

Decorative novelty items bring a little zing to your decorating style. These items -- often the only ones of their kind -- start conversations with houseguests and bring a dramatic look to your decor.

Potential

In almost every major town, novelty stores exist that sell decorative items not commonly found on the market. These might include actual novelty stores like Spencer's, but they could also be an antique store that specializes in unusual items. Additionally, taking a walk can net you interesting objects from nature or items that neighbors are donating to Goodwill.

Types

The types of novelty items you can find are almost endless. To get started, think along the lines of items like found art sculptures, Felix the Cat clocks complete with moving tails, ashtrays made from old 33" LPs or a large cardboard cutout of Elvis.

Considerations

Too many novelty items threaten to give your home a "kitschy" sort of feeling. If that's not the look you're after, then try to select a few distinct items and place them among your more traditional decorating accessories. For example, a found art sculpture can sit on your mantle next to family photos or a dried flower arrangement.

References

• "Shoestring": Trash to Treasure: Decorating with Found Objects
• ElegantWoman.org: Elegant Decorating