Centerpieces That Go Beyond the Usual

Posted on: November 29th, 2017

A bowl of fruit or a vase of flowers will always look beautiful sitting on a dining table. But these old classics can start to feel tired and cliché, especially if you have a more modern or unique sense of style. When it comes to centerpieces, there are so many untapped possibilities.

A good centerpiece serves an important decorative function, establishing a focal point within your kitchen or dining room while tying your table setting to the rest of the space. Read on for décor ideas that will inspire you to dream up your own new and unconventional centerpieces.

Get Inspired by the Natural World

Fruit and flowers are just two elements of the diverse beauty that the natural world has to offer. Consider incorporating Mother Nature into your space in unorthodox ways by using materials such as stone and wood. Here are a few examples of unique centerpieces derived from nature:

• Driftwood
• Geodes or other interesting rocks
• Seashells
• Gourds

You could go even further and use living plants to decorate your space. A small terrarium is neat, easy to maintain, and a fantastic conversation piece.

Look at the Rest of Your Décor

Try taking décor ideas from the style of the surrounding room and turning them into your own creative centerpieces. For example, a rustic room could be complemented by a weathered metal sculpture, evocative of the tarnished metal fittings on old country cabins and barn doors. A collection of glass bottles would fit right into a sleek modern space, where they could contribute to the room’s interesting lines without taking away from its airiness.

The trick with this tactic is not to overdo it. An anchor-shaped centerpiece would fit well in a room with a nautical color scheme. However, if you already have pictures of boats on the walls and a ship in a bottle on the mantel, an anchor centerpiece may make the room feel overdone and kitschy. Use moderation and balance to make sure the décor strikes the visual note you desire.

 

Go for Contrast

Another strategy is to juxtapose differing style elements for centerpieces that defy expectations. Contrasting materials is a great way to do this—for example, placing stone on a wooden table or wood on a glass table. Bright colors can also create a sense of the unexpected, especially in neutral-toned rooms or against dark tables.

Almost anything can be a centerpiece in the right room. With a little creativity, you can find unique centerpieces for all your design needs.