How to Incorporate Artisan Pieces into a Modern Home

People who don’t like the modern style of homes will usually tell you it’s because it looks cold, bland, and impersonal. And, when you think about it, it’s not hard to see why someone would think that. Clean lines, simplicity, and minimalism don’t always feel too warm and it takes an expert or someone really creative to make them cozier.

This is why you need artisan pieces. They’re the perfect complement to modern interiors because they breathe life into them, they add texture, and the space they’re in no longer looks generic. Imagine a modern, sleek living room that has a handwoven rug or a custom wood dining table that has a story other than “made in China” behind it. Artisan decor gives meaning and personality, but a lot of people don’t quite know how to make it work with modern elements.

Fear not, that’s what we’re here for. Keep reading and we’ll tell you how to make your modern house warm, cozy, and homey by adding just a few pieces of decor to it.

If you like your home to be very matchy-matchy, this style probably isn’t for you because it’s all about creating contrast. So, you’d think two pieces don’t go together, but once you set them up, you see the contrast they create and that’s the beauty of it. Home-crafted warmth meets minimalistic loveliness, and here you have it: a one-of-a-kind sweet spot in handcrafted home decor design.

But there’s more. Have you ever thought of mixing up materials? For instance, imagine mixing metal or glass, materials that provide a unique sheen with tattered wood or clay. While these types of materials don’t exactly come to mind when you’re thinking of ‘combining materials’, because, well, on paper they don’t exactly work.

But in reality, you’d be surprised by the astounding things you can achieve when you’re being bold. Of course, that doesn’t automatically mean that being bold and thinking out of the box will automatically breed good results. Of course not. But you won’t know unless you see it, touch it, experience it.

This balance relies heavily on statement pieces. So when you go for something handmade, pick the one that’ll serve as a focal point. A chandelier or a big wall tapestry. It draws the eye as soon as you enter the room, and more than that, it adds depth. But keep in mind that it must be strategically placed; otherwise, the room will feel kind of odd. If you pile up too many handcrafted accents into one room, the only thing you will get is clutter. None of the pieces will stand out or as the saying goes, “Where everything is special, nothing is special”.

Less is more, so all you need are a few things that will make a statement.

If you’d like to use some artisan pieces in your home but don’t quite know how to style them, here’s a cheat sheet.

1. Living Room

This is the heart of your home, so it’s the best place to show off your handcrafted items. And along with your bedroom, it’s the room you want to feel the coziest in.

A handmade coffee table made from reclaimed wood will give the room a rustic, but refined feel and it can be your centerpiece. To add some warmth, drape a woven throw over a sofa and a few handmade cushions with unique patterns. For shelves, put some artisan pottery on them (two pieces max) or if you’d like something for the wall, a custom wall hanging will complete the look.

Take this recommendation as a buffet – pick and choose what you like, don’t throw everything into the room because you’ll overwhelm it.

2. Kitchen

The kitchen gives you endless opportunities because kitchen decor can also be functional.

For example, hand-thrown ceramic dishware can be used for meals and for display, just like handmade cutting boards.

Custom kitchen tiles are a more permanent option, but they’ll give your kitchen a whole new look.

3. Dining Room

The most obvious choice for the dining room would be a custom-made dining table, which will be both durable and artistic. If you decide to go for it, you can add hand-carved wooden chairs or, if you don’t want to go all out, artisan-upholstered seating will do fine.

A light fixture that’s handmade will tie the room together and create a warm atmosphere.

4. Bedroom

Your bedroom is a place to rest, so don’t go too far with decor here. Handwoven blankets or quilts for the bed can add just enough texture and warmth to it. If you’d like to add something more, custom nightstands made from natural materials will be stylish and functional.

5. Home Office

With a home office, your priority is function, but you’ll still feel better in a nicely decorated space.

A custom console table can be a statement piece, with leather-bound notebooks on it and handcrafted desk organizers. And don’t forget about the shelving space. Beyond their primary function, storage, you can use shelves to make the office a nicer place to be in. Use the vertical, (usually) unused space, and turn that office into a place where you enjoy spending time. This will surely positively affect your productivity and morale.

So, who said that if you wish for a modern home, you have to be prepared to sacrifice ambient? Instead of having a dull, bleak home, with only a few simple adjustments, you can radically transform it, breathing life into your home.

A neat table here, a statement lamp there, throw a few smaller pieces onto the shelves, throw into the mix a couple of cushions, and you’ll have a warm, comfortable inviting space that you can blissfully call home.