I have to admit, one of my favourite aspects of running an online second hand shop like Sunshine Thrift is getting to source and sell some of the quirkiest second hand and vintage home décor I have ever laid my eyes on! Whilst I try to source a mix of more palatable pieces that fit right in in many homes, it’s the quirky home décor that has my heart.
But I often get asked, “is it not a bit much?” when referring to a quirky home décor piece on our website by someone considering purchasing it. The answer will always be “no, it’s never too much,” but the reason behind their pondering isn’t a question of “should I buy it?” it’s a question of “how will I style it?”
Styling quirky home décor comes more naturally to some more than others, that’s why some of us are interior designers and some of us aren’t (you can find me firmly in the “aren’t” category. However, since starting Sunshine Thrift I have come to learn that finding the perfect place for a quirky home décor piece really only comes down to five aspects.
In this blog I’m going to share with you my five expert tips on how to style quirky home décor that you can refer to time and again.
Why Quirky Home Décor is so Good at Transforming a Space
In the case of Sunshine Thrift, we’re all about second hand and vintage quirky home décor. Your latest quirky home décor piece doesn’t have to be brand new, in fact we hope it isn’t!
Just as we have all witnessed with fashion, fast homewares are rapidly transforming us into robots who all wear, buy and decorate our homes in the same way. Quirky home décor is the opposite of that. It’s fun, personality filled, lively, statement driven pieces that set your home and personal interior style apart from the rest.
5 Quirky Home Décor Styling Tips
1. Mix statement wall pieces with minimalist backgrounds
Statement wall art pieces like this 3D cheese and wine clock are destined to be the conversation starter in your living room, kitchen and dining space. Don’t dampen their presence by mounting them to a wall covered in bold, colourful and patterned wallpaper. You will lose the impact.
2. Mix eras to mix the vibe
The joy of second hand and vintage quirky home décor, that brand new décor cannot match, is the variety in styles from different eras. At Sunshine Thrift, we have curated a selection of quirky home décor that ranges from the 1950s all the way up to the modern day. But how do we style such a diverse selection?
3. Using the rule of three for quirky home décor
When styling quirky home décor, the rule of three is your safety net. It also comes in handy when styling quirky home décor that is on the smaller side. It works on the basis that as humans we find groupings of items more visually pleasing, especially in groups of three.
This concept works wonderfully well on a shelving unit because it allows you to bring together quirky nick-nacks and accessories without overwhelming a space.
In this example, the rule of three has been used on a kitchen shelving unit to create a practical, yet aesthetically pleased shelving display.
Employing the rule of three when styling quirky home décor is a great way to start small, especially if you’re conscious of cluttering up a space. This commonly used design concept also keeps your quirky home décor and accessories fluid in your home. Move them from room to room, mixing and matching groups of three to keep any space feeling fresh.
4. Mix textures and patterns to create cosy spaces
Quirky home décor doesn’t just apply to hard décor like ceramics, vases and wall art. It also includes soft items such as throws and cushions. At Sunshine Thrift, we’re big fans of scatter cushions because they’re a great way to add texture depth to a space as well as making it cosier.
5. Make practical pieces decorative too
When you find a quirky home décor piece that has a practical function too, such as a groovy chopping board or a vibrant wine rack, it feels like you have hit the jackpot. But do you ever consider how these could be styled to become a part of your room décor? Take this ornate Chinese teapot for example, it’s beautiful, it’s got a history but at the end of the day it is just a teapot.
Final Thoughts
With just five, easy to apply tips on styling quirky home décor you’ve transformed your outlook on working with unique and interesting pieces that don’t fit the mould. Home décor trends will come and go but your personality is yours to stay, feed off the joy and happiness a quirky home décor piece brings you and your home will soon be filled with treasures.
FAQs About Styling Quirky Home Decor
What makes a home décor piece quirky?
“Quirky” is a subjective word, but we consider quirky home décor anything outside of the ordinary, outside of what you would find in a high street home décor retailer. Think fun, unique, conversation starting pieces that you would be proud to have in your home.
How do I find quirky home décor on a budget?
Choosing second hand is a must when sticking to a budget. Quirky home décor can be expensive when buying brand new because the retailer will be buying low quantities to match the lesser found more eclectic demand. If you’ve set your heart on a quirky home décor piece but it is outside of your budget, find it second hand.
Use Google search, Google image search and the online marketplaces such as Facebook marketplace. If you’re looking for your imagination to be captured, take a browse at your favourite online second hand shops (hint hint) and we’re sure you will find a quirky home décor piece that speaks to you and your bank account.
Where can I find quirky home décor online?
Start with your online second hand retailers such as Sunshine Thrift, they are the specialists in curating unique and quirky home décor pieces whilst retaining a high standard of quality and service. Then, take a look at the online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook marketplace. Here you have millions of items to browse at an array of price points.
