Decorating Corners & Leaning Artwork
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In my house, you’ll always see decorated corners and leaning artwork. That’s because I want to make use of vertical space to my advantage.
I love a piece of artwork leaning against a wall with something in front of it. A book or a plate in the back of a bookshelf serving as a background.
Here are some decorating displays in my own house.
Decorating the Top of the Cupboard in My Dining Room
In this rather dark corner of my dining room, I have a glass-fronted cupboard where I store dishes.
Of course I put a table lamp in the corner to light and warm things up. Then I chose an embellished green shutter, a rabbit-print, and a thrift-store frame to layer against the wall. A couple of candles complete the look.
Sometimes, instead of trying to decorate an entire room, it’s easier to choose a corner and focus on that smaller space.
Decorating a Shelf in the Laundry Room
I like to use vintage washboards on a table or in a tub to showcase smaller items in front of them. You call that leaning and layering. Or that’s what I call it!
Then I prefer to lean various shapes, like the embroidery hoop art below, against more rectangular objects. It just makes it more interesting.
The wooden box serves as my base and contains the decor I’m using. I added a little bit of everything inside the long box. Amber bottles I’ve collected, an image of an older woman I found somewhere, and wood bobbins.
Decorating an End Table
Last fall I had a blast layering and leaning found objects from the antique mall. I layered paintings in baskets. A shutter leaned against the wall with the print of a little girl tacked to it.
I added a two-tiered wooden serving stand and a medley of brown-and-white transferware. I found all of these things at a thrift store on the same lucky day!
Layering in Baskets
I always shop for baskets at the thrift store to both store things in and use as decoration. In this basket, I have a print of a woman in front of dough boards.
This scenario of wooden objects adds such wonderful texture to what you create.
The dough boards were placed inside the basket in a haphazard fashion. You’re not seeking perfection. The various textures are very appealing.
Leaning & Layering Objects in the Kitchen
You can also lean artwork in your kitchen where your countertop meets the wall or backsplash. Here, a tin reproduction of a seed company is solidly against the wall.
Glass containers of flour and sugar keep it in place. And in front is a shorter element, a pestle and mortar used for crushing herbs, etc.
Above, I leaned a cheap green-and-white-checked plastic tray against the back of my counters, with coffee items in front of it.
It just gives the background a little more pizzazz, rather than the sight of the thickly textured walls.
Using Cutting Boards as a Background Surface
Here I leaned cutting boards against a wall in the kitchen with a wooden bowl of green apples in front.
The galvanized container on the kitchen countertop holds a trio of green salad plates. You can switch out the dishes, rearrange the container, and decorate as desired. Using one decorative object in front of the other.
Adding Soft Layers Over Furniture
This chair always has something layered on it. That is to protect it from the cats getting their claws in the fabric, and just to add a little more personality to that corner of my living room.
Chair Look #1
There is a pet cover tucked into the chair corners and layered over the back of the chair. The kitties are the artwork here.
There’s an upholstered bench beside the chair for quilts and blankets. I usually have it covered with a blanket for the kitties’ comfort! Simon often naps there while I work in the other chair in the corner.
Chair look #2
Below is the same chair with a different layered look.
Chair look #3
And here’s the same chair with yet another look. A brightly colored quilt and a multicolored background, with a denim boho pillow.
You can continuously change and rotate the look of this chair with layers of quilts and throw pillows.
The Top of Bookshelves
Here are more amber bottles atop my white bookshelves. I have a floral print next to them, leaning against the wall.
The moody dark colors suggest a cozy academia theme. And fallish.
Layering inside Bookshelves
The decor on the white bookshelves in the living room is in continuous rotation, with books, dishes, and other objects I treasure.
The back of a white bookshelf is rather dull. So I like to pretty it up.
It’s like many pieces of artwork in boxes.
I like to use coffee table books for decorating and gardening in the backs of the bookshelves, with a little vignette in front.
Layering and Leaning Dishware Inside a Small Cupboard
Here is a little one-shelf cupboard displaying both white stoneware and red-and-white transferware.
When I walk into a room, something like this just makes me smile. I arranged it for no other reason than that it delighted me.
Leaning & Layering Artwork
On this piece of furniture, I like to lean and layer framed artwork. Several of the prints are attached to the wall.
Several other prints are leaning against the wall, even against the artwork’s frame and glass.
Overlapping Wall Decor:
Leaning and overlapping wall decor lets you avoid putting nails in the wall and adds cohesion to the space.
Paintings aren’t the only objects you can overlap. You can overlap shutters, bulletin boards, mirrors, signs, or any other type of wall decor.
Reasons For Leaning Wall Decor On Surfaces:
- Hiding something (like cords) that you don’t want people to see.
- It’s easier to switch decor because the elements aren’t attached.
- Leaning artwork is less formal; more casual.
- Layering brings more interest and dimension.
Overlapping wall decor on surfaces is a good strategy for renters because you can still decorate while avoiding putting nails in the wall.
Tips For Layering Wall Decor:
- Always put the largest piece in the back, then work forward with smaller objects.
- Slightly overlap one object over the next so they become a cohesive unit.
- Lean and overlap frames to avoid blank spaces
- Fill in with accessories, but don’t overdo it. You want the emphasis on the paintings/artwork.
Leaning a Blanket Ladder Against the Wall:
These blanket ladders are popular. They look pretty and stylish while holding and storing quilts and blankets, and don’t take up much floor space.
Folding quilts creates its own horizontal feature, while what’s above, a wall quilt tacked to the wall, becomes a story.
The Story of a Quilt
The story is that this person, me, loves quilts so much that I like to place them on any surface just so I can gaze at them.
A quilt ladder has a way of making a room feel instantly warmer and more inviting. Leaning casually against a wall, it displays treasured quilts, soft throws, or lightweight blankets like works of art.
Each quilt may hold memories of family or favorite thrift store finds. The result is a home that feels welcoming, peaceful, and wonderfully cozy. A place where warmth isn’t just felt, but beautifully displayed.
Seasonal quilts can easily be swapped throughout the year, allowing your home to reflect the changing seasons.
Why Decorate Corners and Lean Artwork?
Decorating corners and leaning artwork is like its own form of art. It’s the combination of whatever you desire to layer and to lean on, both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
It’s almost like a child’s playhouse. You can play with the combinations of decorating, leaning, and layering to your heart’s content.
The tips for layering wall decor are really awesome. Thank you for the wonderful content.
With the quilts and kitty, your home already looks cozy. May you have many happy years there.
I love your quilts. Did you make them? I have quite a quilt collection from when my mom was quilting. I wish I could display more. Of the larger ones she made I rotate them seasonally on my bed and the guest room bed. Smaller ones I display on the back of the sofa. I will have to try them as wall hangings.
I didn’t make the one you saw in that post. But I’ve made many of them.
My solution to covering vertical blinds is to have them pushed all the way back and then have my curtains (which had to be hung on an extended rod) cover them.
The curtains (large grommet) can be slid back during the day for maximum light, and pulled across at night for privacy if needed.
This way the verticals are covered, and I’m able to get maximum light (I face north😕and my plants crave it!).
I hope this gives you food for thought.
Seeing your personality showing up in your new apt. is fun to watch, and seeing your kitties so content is wonderful.
Day by day it will all come together.
That’s what kind of curtains I have. We left the hardware that holds them because they were too hard to get out. So now I just have to find three sets of hardware to hang them away from the blinds.
This is so much fun seeing you make your new place a home. I love the quilt and that corner looks so great! I didn’t realize that crosby made a radio/cd player! I want one!!!! I just love seeing you make this place a home and seeing your kitties settle in!
This is the one I have, but in a lighter wood color…https://www.amazon.com/Crosley-CR3501A-WA-Fleetwood-Bluetooth-Player/dp/B07NPKHBT9/ref=sr_1_3?crid=SJWDN2BCVXW&keywords=crosley%2Bcd%2Bplayer&qid=1644263025&sprefix=crosley%2Bcd%2Bplayer%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-3&th=1
The quilt on the wall is a brilliant idea. I love the color. texture and coziness it adds to this space.
That Danish modern style chair is to die for, just love it. It fits in with just about any decor, from ultra modern to Alaska log cabin rustic. The entire corner vignette is beautiful. I’m sure whatever you do to your fireplace mantel and walls above and around will be gorgeous. You pulled all the items you’ve got in the new apartment out of your former apartment, which was much smaller than the space you now have. You’ll find homes for all of those things. It just takes time and thought, you don’t want to just try to get things out of sight willy-nilly and then later spend more time rearranging and putting everything back into this storage space and that closet, etc. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a home decorated in a day. Take your time. We all know it will be gorgeous when it reaches Take #1.
It’s shaping up nicely, Brenda. The floral piece with the throw behind it looks great. And I’ve always loved those turned wood lamps. Little by little you’re putting together another charming home for yourself. It’s very fun to watch and apply some of your techniques to my own spaces. Thanks for sharing the process.
Brenda,you spoke of the flush that isn’t tall enough and you don’t like the solution you have at the moment. Today I saw an ad of Kohler ,showing a tall toilet seat that is a seat and a cover,to close. The name was Hyten.
I didn’t check out any measurements,etc. but if you haven’t seen it yet,it might be something you would be able to use. I live in Senior housing,so I know the advantages of a tall toilet!
A friend who was a neighbor in Texas called and told me about those yesterday. Definitely will look into them!
It is all looking good, Brenda! Love that the kitties are looking so cosy and comfortable ~
Coming along beautifully well! The kitties look well settled, smug, and thinking, “we ain’t goin nowhere!” (Yeah, I know…..double negative, but it’s cats talking, so what can ya do?) ❤️
Everything looks to be coming along nicely . I really like the quilt on the wall , I think it’s homey and cozy . I’m glad you hung it .
Brenda, can the complex handyman hang your curtain rods? And I’m glad to see the kitties out and about again.
Everything is coming together so nicely. The girls look so content.
Thank you for the lesson in overlapping artwork! I really like that idea! Everything is coming together. Good luck at the doctor tomorrow!
I’m excited! Can’t wait for tomorrow. This is so much fun🤩
The quilts are so you! That colorful quilt is my favorite, too. I notice there are lines in the quilts and cabinets. Maybe you can find things for a line theme that will go with the blinds. I want to move that quilt to the other room making “motion” to draw me in there. The vertical blinds probably make the outsides of the other homes cohesive. Before I retired from teaching we had to leave the blinds down at the end of the day for that reason. It was good to see another of your quilts. I like that you use them in decorating. Keep warm and happy. You seem happy. Your new home has so much more light.
Very nice arrangement, Brenda…inviting and homey!
Your little cozy corner looks great! The kitties look pretty comfy too. Can’t wait to see the mantle. That will be especially fun to decorate during the holidays. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.
Brenda, that looks absolutely wonderful. I love that particular quilt! I will not mention that you were on the ladder again (oops, I just did, lol) because I slipped on the ice on my driveway a couple of days ago and for the moment you’re the one who actually can get on a ladder. I’m just a big bag of hurts all over but getting better every day. I ran across a cane in a coat closet a while back and thought to myself that might be a good thing to have around “someday” and that came way sooner than I thought it would. The right side of my body took the blow, hurts waist to knee, but the left side now hurts from leaning on the darn cane. Glad I was in front of the car and no one could see me crawling on my hands and knees gathering up the mail I’d thrown around. Ibuprofen that has been here for at least 5 years is my new friend.
Ouch, Teri! I’m so sorry you got hurt! I hope you get better soon. Does alternating heat and cold help? The ibuprofen definately should help. Sending you get well wishes.
Thanks so much Laura! I usually heal pretty quickly and this cane if NOT good for my image (of myself lol)
Teri, I am so sorry to hear that you fell! You have been such a good friend to Brenda and you didn’t deserve that at all! I’m praying for a quick recovery!
Thank you JoyceD!! I’m from good strong stock so I should be better in a few days. I used a therapy light a little bit ago and I really think it helped. I usually use it on the BF’s sore back, but I’m really glad I had it. My sister has one for her horses that must be extra strength lol.
Feel better Teri. You are a great lady for all you have done. Thank you. Prayers for a quick healing.
Ewwww. Snow, ice, injuries and horses to care for……
I’m hoping you have help or heal fast! Having had two horses💕 in MI in my younger years (60 y/o), I can remember knowing I had to go to the barn twice a day when I wasn’t feeling up to it. Yikes!!
As you know you are so appreciated by this group. I hope you recover quickly. Sending good vibes your way🙌.
Brenda, at first glance I thought the quilt was wallpaper, LOL!!! It makes that space extra special. Not only does it add a pop of color but warmth too. Would you please share your resource for the chair? Thank you for taking your readers along with you as you “pretty up” your space!
Teri, So sorry to hear about your injury. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
I love the quilt on the wall. It really makes an impact statement. I am the queen of layering and propping. lol
Kitties are SOOO very sweet. xo Diana
I love this corner, Brenda! The colors and textures are perfect and warm and cozy.
The sweet kitties look quite content.
I’m with you – I don’t like vertical blinds or cords showing. I know once you get curtains up around the blinds, it will soften the look of the blinds and will be much better.
One day at a time!
😊 Rooms, etc ,,,,,, are looking good Brenda! No rush to decorate immediately. Take your time. AND ,,,,,, be careful. With stools, ladders & tools!
Eventually, we all know everything will be lovely!
Oh ,,,,,, Ivy & Gracie are sleepy and so adorable!!! I missed seeing them.
Wanted to mention your stove. So glad you have one now. There’s a lot you can do to make meals extra delicious! For instance. Like
Roasting fresh veggies ,,,,,,, so delicious! 😋
Enjoy your new spaces!!
Looking good,A little at a time👍
Ivy and Gracie look like they’ve settled in fine.
I love seeing your quilts come back. You have so many beautiful ones.
Is that little Gracie? She is so grown up now.
I agree, I don’t like vertical blinds. Can’t wait to see what you do with them.
So far everything is looking great. I hope you are enjoying decorating a little at a time so you don’t overtire. As for the cords and chargers, All will be revealed in time. 😊😊😊
I like the mix of boho and cottage! Definitely looks warm and cozy.
By the way I have always loved the quilt with pinwheels with blue and white stripe sashing. Talk about cottage!!! That’s it! LOL
Enjoy your Sunday. I appreciate the pictures of the kitties.
Looks like the kitties are adjusting to the new place and finding special places to relax and nap. I like your boho vibe. Looks so good. I hate those vertical blinds too and I know you will figure a cute way to hang some drapes to hide them. Good luck.