How to Use Ribbons in Decor

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Ribbons can perk up décor throughout the house. Here are some ways.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Grosgrain Ribbons
Satin Ribbon
Wired Ribbons
Glue Guns
Pins
Threads
Towels

Step1

Sew washable ribbon as a border on towels to give them an expensive look with little effort and low cost.

Step2

Weave ribbons, tacking them in place with pins, onto a fabric backing. Then anchor them by sewing the ends onto the edges of the fabric. They can serve as the fronts for pillows, place mats or table runners.

Step3

Tie a ribbon around a toss pillow and add a simple bow. It will look festive, a bit like a gift-wrapped birthday present.

Step4

Jazz up a vase or the base of a pillar candle by encircling it with a ribbon plus bow. Wired ribbon is one option.

Step5

Loop a length of shiny ribbon, either metallic or satin, through holiday arrangements. A bowl of Easter eggs that's a dining-table centerpiece might have a yellow or pink ribbon curving through it; try red, green or gold ribbon in a basket of glass Christmas-tree ornaments that are being used as a table-top arrangement.

Step6

Use wide grosgrain ribbon, which has more body than satin ribbon, as a tieback for a curtain (put a bow at the outside edge of the window). For a heavier-duty tieback, braid lengths of ribbon together, sew the ends and hide them behind the curtain.

Step7

Swag one or two lengths of wide ribbon across a curtain valance. These can be attached with pins at the upper corners of the front of the valance.

Step8

Hot-glue ribbon onto the edge of shelving that needs a pick-me-up. Consider this treatment for a linen closet, spice rack or bookcase.

Step9

Tie a tiny ribbon onto a key that perches in the lock of antique desk, china closet, etc. Bonus: If the key falls or is misplaced, it will be easier to find and identify.

Tips & Warnings

Ribbons make a great way to coordinate colors within a room. For instance, a bow added to a neutral-tone toss pillow can pick up a prominent color from a paisley curtain.