Easily Add Umpf to Your Home Decor

Although a placemat's primary function is to protect your dinner table, think outside the box and use placemats to add texture and interest to your home decor. Placemats made of wicker or bamboo are my favorite type of placemat because of their strong textural element. Here are a few ideas to add a little decorative umpf to your home decorating using inexpensive placemats.

Give Prominence to a Piece:



Position a decorative placemat behind a simple object. The placemat will draw attention and give that object a bigger presence in the room. This bamboo plant was the first gift given to my friend after the birth of her first child. Giving the plant more prominence in the room tells her guests that there's something special about this plant.

This small candle sconce becomes a significant piece on a shelf display with the round placemat positioned behind it.


Placemat, or Art?

Some placemats have enough interest alone to make an interesting hanging art piece. Look how hanging three placemats in a row changes the look of the entire area.

The best part is I got these rectangular placemats on clearance at Walmart for a mere $1 each.

Functional...to useful: This article shows how to easily make a clock out of a woven or wicker placemat--very creative!