How To Decorate The Top Of An Armoire

Transforming the top of an armoire from empty space into a thoughtfully curated design element requires careful consideration of proportion, style, and functionality. Armoires are often tall pieces of furniture, which can make it difficult to know how to decorate the top. Choosing what to display has a lot to do with the amount of room between the top and the ceiling, the size of the room, the interior design style, and the room’s theme. Besides decorating the top, you could use the extra space as a shelf to keep books or magazines, creating both functional storage and visual interest.

Design Principles for Armoire Styling

Height Considerations: The vertical space between your armoire and ceiling creates natural boundaries for decor selection. For optimal visual balance:

• Allow 12-18 inches of clearance for tall decorative elements
• Maintain at least 6 inches of breathing room between decor and ceiling
• Consider the visual weight of items relative to the armoire’s mass

Balance and Symmetry

Placing decor pieces on the top can add symmetry to the room’s design while drawing the eye upward to create a sense of height. For large pieces, adding decorative elements such as wicker baskets placed close together at different angles helps finish off the look, especially for rooms with a country or outdoorsy style. Consider incorporating baskets of varying sizes and textures to create visual depth, and fill them with dried florals or greenery for an organic touch.

Smaller armoire designs look more central to a room when topped with tall types of vases or figurines amid a backdrop of silk flowers. When arranging multiple items, follow the designer’s rule of odd numbers and varying heights to create visual interest. Layer your display with items of different scales – perhaps a tall vase flanked by shorter decorative boxes or candlesticks. If there’s enough space, hanging wall decor is also a great idea, such as a wreath, painting, or framed photograph.

Tips For Creating Balance: Create visual harmony through thoughtful arrangement:

• Anchor larger pieces in the center
• Flank central elements with complementary items of decreasing height
• Layer objects at varying depths for dimensional interest
• Group items in odd numbers for natural visual appeal

Place the wall décor on the bare wall overhead and leave enough room above it to balance out the remaining wall space. A rectangular piece is perfect for several smaller square hangings, and the length of the armoire works just as well. Consider the proportion of your chosen art – ideally, it should be approximately two-thirds the width of the armoire for visual balance.

Style Integration

Your armoire-top styling should harmonize with your existing decor:

• Traditional: Incorporate classic urns, vintage books, or brass candlesticks.
• Modern: Feature clean-lined sculptures, minimalist vases, or geometric objects.
• Rustic: Display woven baskets, antiqued containers, or botanical elements.
• Coastal: Showcase glass vessels, driftwood pieces, natural coral or nautical accessories.
• French Country: Handcrafted pottery in earthy tones, brass candlesticks, weathered wood elements or antique enamelware with lavender.
• Bohemian: Trailing succulents, air plants, global artifacts like carved wooden sculptures, crystalline geodes or driftwood pieces.
• Contemporary: Minimalist pieces like geometric sculptures in monochromatic tones, brushed metal containers or high-gloss ceramics in neutral tones.

Creative Styling Solutions

Looking for some eye-catching ways to decorate the top of your armoire, here’s some easy to implement techniques to get started.

Vertical Display Options

Using the vertical space is perfect for displaying elongated decorative pieces that will draw the gaze upwards. Start by gathering a few of your favorite vintage suitcases and stacking them like building blocks, alternating sizes and patterns. Or, opt for a series of decorative boxes in different shapes and finishes for a more eclectic look. This is a great way to showcase your storage pieces even when they’re not in use.

For a bit of natural beauty, consider filling a couple of extra-tall vases with dried botanicals, wheat grasses, or wispy architectural branches. The vertical lines and neutral tones will complement your armoire beautifully. You could also prop an elongated floor mirror against the wall behind the armoire. The reflection will make the space seem larger and brighter. For a bit of artsy flair, hang a sculptural woven wall hanging or abstract metallic piece centered above the armoire. This eye-catching focal point is sure to elevate the whole area.

Layered Arrangements

Transform the flat surface into an eye-catching display with a layered arrangement of decor. Start by placing some of your larger decorative items like vases, sculptures or frames against the back wall to create a foundation. Then have fun layering in medium and smaller-sized objects in front in descending heights – think stacks of pretty boxes, ceramic pieces, mini stands holding trinkets.

Play with different textures too by incorporating an assortment of materials like wood, metal, ceramic. And don’t be afraid to improvise risers for extra height and dimension. Piles of your favorite decorative books or small pedestal bowls are perfect for propping up key focal points.

Wall Integration

Looking to spice up the wall space above your armoire? This area makes for perfect yet often overlooked decor real estate. When choosing pieces, think about what will best complement both the size and style of your bedroom furniture. A good rule of thumb is to position artwork or shelves around 4-6 inches above the armoire top. This creates a nice continuity without overwhelming the area.

Next, take measurements to find artwork or frames that take up 50-75% of the width. Anything too small gets lost, while going too big starts to feel strangely unbalanced. Play around with different materials and weights as well. Light, airy rattan storage baskets make sense with a beachy armoire, while sleek metal frames pair nicely with contemporary designs.

And don’t be afraid to layer in asymmetry! Hang a couple black and white prints staggered at varying heights, or try a macrame wall hanging next to an orb-shaped woven basket for texture. Having different shapes, sizes and visual weights makes the vignette more dynamic.

Additional Design Tips

When styling the top of your armoire, remember to consider the practical aspects as well. Ensure all items are stable and won’t easily topple. If your armoire is in a high-traffic area, secure decorative pieces with museum putty. For a cohesive look, choose items that complement both the armoire’s finish and your room’s color palette. Don’t forget to dust your display regularly, as elevated surfaces tend to collect more debris.

If your armoire is positioned in a corner, consider creating an asymmetrical arrangement that appears balanced from the room’s main viewing angles. You might also want to incorporate lighting elements, such as battery-operated LED candles or small uplights, to create ambiance and highlight your carefully curated display, especially effective during evening hours.

Remember that seasonality can play a role in your decorating choices. Consider switching out some elements throughout the year to reflect different seasons or holidays, keeping your space fresh and engaging while maintaining the basic arrangement structure. You can adjust decor seasonally by using light airy accents for spring and summer, warm textures for fall and winter. Rotate out winter villages and snow globes for spring flowers and Easter eggs. Swap sunny lemon decor for cozy cinnamon pine cones. Keep it fresh by easily changing themes a few times a year. Swap out real plants and flowers as they fade for fresh pops of color. 

To keep things tidy, dust surfaces often with a soft brush or cloth to prevent build-up. Also important – secure every item in place so you never find your cherished pieces scattered on the floor. You can do this by adding a small dab of museum putty underneath meaningful knickknacks and vases to firmly anchor them in place. Incorporate something shiny like a glass vase or silver tray to reflect light around the arrangement. Tuck in faux ferns, eucalyptus stems or leafy garlands for organic texture without the maintenance. And remember the rule of three – cluster items in groups of three for a pleasing, balanced composition.

So with just a dash of effort, you can keep your styled armoire looking magazine-worthy every day! Let your creativity run wild while keeping necessities in mind. Change up the look anytime with items you already own for an instant mood boost.