5 Tips for Creating a Vignette

In this post: Tips on How to Create a Vignette

The other day my little one was watching a cartoon where all the little animals were painting a house in every color of the rainbow. When they were finished (the house looked hideous, by the way), they all received their “decorating badges.”

I really love to decorate, but there are some aspects that I still struggle with.

For me: color selection, space planning, & fabric choices….check, check, & check.

But, truthfully, “I’m not that great at creating vignettes.”

 

What is a vignette?

First of all, if you are not familiar with this term, a vignette (pronounced vin’yet) in home decor is “a grouping of decorative objects that is pleasing to the eye.”

Such as….

source

 

A vignette is one of the best ways to express your personality through your home. They’re like little stories sprinkled throughout your rooms and they tell others a little bit about who you are and what you like.

Sometimes my vignettes just look like a bunch of stuff that’s been set on a table.

That’s certainly not the story I want to tell.

 

So what do you do when you want to get better at something? Practice!

 

By the way, I had originally planned to title this post “10 Tips to Creating Vignettes”, but I thought that might be a bit ambitious, so I cut it in half and will save the other tips for later.

 

Vignette Tip #1:

Go to your favorite home store or boutique.

Chances are, there are some really great vignettes all around the store. It’s what keeps us interested and actively looking (and buying!) while we’re there. See what elements they include and how they are arranged. Notice the ones that you are really drawn to and try to figure out what it is about them that you like. It could be interesting objects or combinations of objects, specific colors, a layout, etc.

I went to one of my new favorite local boutiques to look around at their displays and asked them if I could take a picture.

In this one, I noticed varying heights, a pleasing color scheme, and symmetry…..

 

 Vignette Tip #2:

Consider winding a theme through your vignette

This doesn’t have to be over the top (but it absolutely can if that’s your style). This is definitely one of those areas where you should be true to yourself and do what you like.

Here’s one that is definitely not over the top. This one clearly says, “Fall”, but is simple, subtle, and so pretty….

source

 

Here’s another vignette with a seaside or coastal theme…

 

 

Creating a Vignette Tip #3:

Consider using a group of like objects.

Instead of taking a collection of similar items and spreading them around in your decor, try grouping them all together for a bold look. This method can really create a striking vignette!

In this one, I used several glass bottles. I put one of them on a large book so that I could get more height variation, added some faux stems, and one little flower on the edge of the book….

 

Talk about an easy to create vignette!

 

This photo was my inspiration for the vignette above…

original source unknown

Other items that you can use in a group might be: cloches, candlesticks, vases, plants, etc. Let me know in the comments if you can think of any others!

 

 

Vignette Tip #4:

Vary the height.

One of the most important aspects of a pleasing vignette is (usually) to vary the height. Things often look a little stiff and boring if they are all one size or all one height. You can still do a symmetrical or an asymmetrical arrangement, but consider the heights of the various objects and the transitions between them. I think it looks best to do a kind of stair stepped look where the eye can travel up or down, resting on the different heights.

 

Compare these two photos below.

In the first one, your eye can take in the tall olive branches, then the cage doll, the the candle, and finally the two glass bottles….

 

In the next photo, notice how the cage doll and the candle are about the same height and the small glass bottles are also about even.

It’s just not as pleasing to the eye….

 

Creating a Vignette Tip #5:

Choose a focal point.

What is your favorite part? How can you make that look more important?

A focal point could be the largest item or tallest item, the item in the center, the most colorful item, the most interesting piece, etc.

Or all of the above, such as in this next vignette….

original source unknown

 

I think this is the one I need to practice the most. I have a tendency to want to buy and decorate with small items. Sometimes one big, bold star of the show is better than ten smaller players.

 

The awesome thing is that there is nobody in this whole wide world who is just like you!

So there is an infinite number of stories to be told and vignettes that can be created.

 

My advice would be to use some of the 5 tips to creating a vignette that I’ve listed above, but above all:

    1. Decorate with what you like.

and

    2. Keep practicing.

 

If you’d like some more vignette ideas, here’s a link to my Pinterest vignette board.

I practiced several times this week and am super happy with my progress.

I think I’m on my way to earning my decorating badge. ?