How To Layer Decor On Top Of An Armoire Like An Interior Designer

So you have an awkward, empty gap above your armoire and can't figure out how to fill it. Or maybe you've already added some décor, but the result looks amateurish and sloppy. Here's the thing — styling the top of an armoire isn't necessarily the same as decorating shelves, coffee tables, and dressers. Armoires are taller, so small trinkets can easily get lost in the mix, while too large objects could overwhelm the arrangement. And that's just the beginning.

Lucky for you, we have the low-down on how to layer décor on top of an armoire straight from design historian Sarah Bilotta. Her advice? Be cognizant of scale, shape, and color, just like when decorating any other surface. The difference, however, is that you'll need to step back and look at your work before deciding it's "done." "It can be tricky for your brain to comprehend scale when decorating such a large object close-up," Bilotta tells us in her exclusive interview with House Digest. Plus, you also have to bring the furniture's proximity to the ceiling into the equation. Confusing, right? Let's jump into the nitty-gritty to make things easier.

There are three straightforward ways to go about decorating the top of an armoire. The first is to layer several small objects. Second, you could utilize two or three larger objects atop your armoire. Finally, you could try a mix of both. Whatever scenario, note that too many décor pieces can look messy, and too little can look unintentional. Sarah Bilotta's trick is to cover about 75% of the armoire's surface. "If your décor takes up 95% of your surface, it can look cluttered," she shared in her exclusive interview with House Digest. As for how tall an object should be, Bilotta suggests 1/5 of the armoire's height for a sophisticated arrangement that is satisfying to the eye.

At the same time, don't neglect ambient lighting to illuminate your decor. "An especially tall piece of furniture, like an armoire, should be appropriately illuminated if it is going to be turned into a feature piece in your décor scheme," she states. This might look like a strip of LED lights along the top of the cabinet or a pair of wall sconces along the side. If it is, it may be worth reconsidering not adding anything at all to it, according to the pro.

And finally, don't be afraid to decorate an armoire with objects that don't exactly match it. "A farmhouse-style cabinet could look amazing with a mid-century modern glass sculpture atop it," Bilotta points out as an example. "Use color, shape, and texture — rather than preconceived ideas about strict style genres — to create cohesion," she continues.

First things first, make sure the objects you pick go together like a family. "They don't all have to be exactly the same, but should be related," Sarah Bilotta exclusively explained to House Digest. Think candles of various sizes and colors or perhaps a series of antique glass objects that are all cobalt-colored.

This brings us to the next point: the style (or theme, if you will). Want to decorate your interior with a mixture of styles for a maximalist vibe? In this case, Bilotta's favorite objects to layer on armoires are pothos or other hanging potted plants. "A few plants in baskets or pots of different shapes and sizes can form a [cohesive] but lively vignette and drape wildly over the sides of your cupboard," she notes. If your taste veers minimalist, the décor expert encourages just placing one large statement object on top of the armoire. Bear in mind that it should be a focal point, both in scale and color. "If it's too small, it will not look as intentional and will be swallowed up by the scale of the massive piece of furniture it's on," she warns.

Other than that, you could use framed artwork as the backdrop to your display. Lean it against the wall or hang the work on the wall above the furniture to serve as a backdrop for other displayed items. Likewise, jars and vases also make lovely accents for creating a still life-style vignette. Consider pieces in the same color palette, but in varying shapes, sizes, and heights to add dimension and create functional storage.