How to use Literary Accents Throughout your Home Decor

Every few years there’s a trend that starts in home decor that turns into a staple of today’s interiors. Literary accents, or alphabet and numeric symbols are everywhere in home decor! What used to be reserved for children’s rooms and play areas, are now taking a more ‘grown-up’ appeal in interiors. Varying sizes, materials, and applications are all popular and they can be represented in countless ways. Here are suggestions on how to bring literary accents into your home décor.

Playful textiles: Monogrammed bath towels, alphabet throw pillows and numeric area rugs are great ways to show your whimsical side of your space. For younger rooms use neon and pastel colors to evoke a youthful and playful nature to the room. For an adult space, use tweeds and plaid material, or even leather and suede to convey maturity and sophistication. Wall art: One of the most traditional ways to display literary accents is through wall art. We all remember the traditional letters put on the wall for our kids, but how about in the dining room or the kitchen? Creative displays can include varying sizes of letters displayed in unique ways. Letters falling down the wall, jumbled up, or even piled up at one side of the wall gives visual interest to the room instantly. For a unique approach, spell out your family members names, use your initials, or select random letters that look cool together!

Unique metals: In home libraries, offices and studies there is a trend to use literary accents to evoke a traditional and scholarly approach to the interiors. Using gun metal, stainless steel, wood and iron letters and numbers used as book ends, and random book shelf art are common. If you want to include them on your desk, or fireplace mantle, place them near memorabilia you hold dear. The great part of using these for your display is there are no design rules, use as many or as little as you wish.

Storage uses: From bookshelves to using actual letters for display. Literary accents can be used as décor or for practical storage at the same time. Visit your local home improvement store for ideas for building large letters that can stand on their own as bookshelves, or be affixed to a wall. If you’re feeling crafty, try your hand at different size numbers and letters made from different materials, and paint them in matching colors to your interior palette scheme.  Be creative that’s the beauty of adding literary accents throughout your home!

Would you have thought that you could be so creative with letters and numbers in your home décor?  Many home décor websites and satellite television programs have multiple ways to use literary accents too. Visit garage sales for letters from old restaurants, shops, and signage to give a more eclectic use of letters and numbers too. There’s a wealth of resources out there!

Freshome readers, how do you like the new trend for adding literary accents to your home? Do you have them in your interiors? We’d love to know how you display them.