Vignettes: Designer Styling for Every Size Space

Vignettes play an interesting part in interior design. A vignette is simply a small collection of items arranged in a visually appealing way that tells a story. What constitutes a vignette can also help define its function in a space and determine what story it tells.

Types of Vignettes

A vignette can be a grouping of objects you collect, such as candlesticks, salt & pepper shakers or decorative eggs. In this instance, the story behind the vignette is one of self-expression, displaying something in your home design that brings you joy.

A vignette could also be about objects that reflect your design style, such as a grouping of mid-century modern objects atop a dresser from the same time period.

Vignettes can function as both a visual resting place for the eye and a focal point in your space. A collection of mercury glass placed on a mirror can function as jewelry does for an outfit – “accessorizing” a space for a more finished look.

Color can play a strong role in creating a vignette – from tying together seemingly disparate objects to adding a pop of color to a space, highlighting a room’s accent color, or even further defining its design style (organic farmhouse, modern beach cottage, etc.), enhancing the room’s overall style ambiance.

Curated Color with ColorReader EZ

The ColorReader EZ can be a particularly handy tool to have when creating a color vignette with existing objects in your home. Simply scan the flat surface of objects you’d like to display to help you create a color theme/palette for your vignette that will look beautiful.

Tips for Creating a Stunning Vignette

Choose the Right Location – Pick a spot with adequate illumination (from natural or artificial light) in a prominent place in the space for easy viewing. Vignettes are all about presentation, so you don’t want to have yours hidden in some corner.

Decide on a Theme – Create a visual story – do you want to go with color, a favorite collection or a seasonal feel? The great thing about vignettes is that they are easy to change according to your design objectives or personal mood.

Consider Spacing – A thoughtful approach to selecting and grouping objects in a vignette is key – think curated, not cluttered. Each object should be able to be viewed and appreciated both as a single item and as part of a larger group or story. Crowd too many things together or space too few items apart and you’ll lose that sense.

Adding Interest – Include objects of varying heights, visual weights and perhaps, textures to keep your vignette dynamic. And don’t be afraid to try out an item that may be an outlier but has an interesting story that ties it into your vignette. Along with visual appeal, a great vignette can also be a jumpstart to some stimulating conversations.