For decades, Martha Stewart has been one of the most recognized names in home decorating, cooking, and entertaining. Her style is often associated with classic details, beautiful spaces, and thoughtful touches that make a home feel special.
But not every Martha Stewart idea follows traditional decorating rules. Some of her suggestions may seem unusual at first, yet they prove that great home ideas can come from unexpected places.
From turning old household items into decor to using bold design choices, these Martha Stewart-inspired hacks show that a little creativity can completely change the way you look at your home.
Create a Headboard From a Vintage Door
An old door may seem like something meant for the trash pile, but Martha Stewart sees another possibility. A vintage door can become a unique headboard with just a little work.
Doors with worn paint, carved details, or interesting wood patterns can add personality to a bedroom. This idea works especially well for farmhouse, rustic, or bohemian-style spaces where older pieces can become the focal point of the room.
Hang Plates as Wall Decor
Plates don’t have to stay hidden in kitchen cabinets. Displaying a collection of decorative plates on a wall can turn everyday dishes into artwork.
Mixing different colors, sizes, and patterns creates a collected look that feels personal. It’s also a great way to display pieces you already own instead of letting them sit unused.
Related: How to Create a Stunning Gallery Wall on Stairs
Turn Garden Tools Into Indoor Decor
Garden tools are usually kept outdoors, but vintage pieces can make interesting decorations inside the home.
Old rakes, shovels, or hand tools can be cleaned up and displayed in mudrooms, entryways, or hallways. They bring a touch of the outdoors inside while adding a bit of history to your space.
Related: The Gardening Gift List
Use Mirrors to Make Rooms Feel Bigger
Mirrors have long been a favorite decorating trick for creating the feeling of more space. Instead of hanging just one mirror, Martha Stewart has suggested grouping different mirrors together for a more dramatic look.
A collection of mirrors in different shapes and sizes can reflect light around a room and make smaller areas feel brighter.
According to an Architectural Digest report, mirrors can help rooms appear larger and more open.
Paint the Ceiling a Bold Color
Most ceilings are painted white, but adding color above eye level can completely change a room.
Martha Stewart has embraced colorful ceilings, including shades like navy blue and green. A painted ceiling can bring more personality to a space and create a surprising detail that guests notice.
For inspiration, check out these blue cabinet paint colors that can also work well in other areas of the home.
Use Faux Fruit for Centerpieces
Fresh fruit looks beautiful on a kitchen counter or dining table, but it doesn’t last forever. Faux fruit offers a way to keep a colorful centerpiece without worrying about replacing it every week.
High-quality faux lemons, apples, and oranges can look realistic while adding a decorative touch that stays fresh year-round.
Turn Empty Wine Bottles Into Vases
Before tossing empty wine bottles into recycling, consider giving them another purpose.
Clean glass bottles can become simple vases for flowers, branches, or greenery. Clear and colored glass bottles can add a minimalist look while costing almost nothing.
Related: 15 Crafty Ways to Upcycle Your Old Wine Bottles
Layer Multiple Rugs Together
Using more than one rug in a room may sound unusual, but layered rugs can create warmth and visual interest.
Combining different textures, colors, and materials can make a space feel more comfortable. This idea works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and larger areas where one rug may feel too small.
Decorate With Driftwood
Driftwood can become a natural decoration with very little effort. A unique piece placed on a shelf, coffee table, or mantel can add an organic touch to a room.
Since every piece has a different shape and texture, it creates a one-of-a-kind decoration that connects your home with the outdoors.
Mix Patterns Without Fear
Many people avoid mixing patterns because they worry they won’t match. Martha Stewart has shown that stripes, florals, checks, and other prints can work together when they share similar colors.
Combining patterns can make a room feel more personal and less predictable. The key is finding a balance between different designs.
Turn Bookshelves Into Mini Gardens
Bookshelves don’t have to hold only books. Adding small plants between your favorite reads can bring more life to the space.
Martha Stewart has used greenery throughout home designs, and adding plants to shelves is an easy way to bring nature indoors.
Research shared through ResearchGate has also explored how indoor plants may have positive effects on mood and stress levels.
Related: How to Create the Perfect Cozy Reading Nook
Decorate With Empty Frames
Empty frames can become their own form of wall art. Instead of filling every frame with photos, arranging decorative frames together can create an interesting display.
Frames with different shapes, finishes, and sizes can add depth to plain walls while giving a room a gallery-inspired look.
Use Bedspreads as Curtains
A beautiful bedspread doesn’t have to stay on the bed. Lightweight fabrics can be used as curtains for a more relaxed and creative look.
This idea allows you to bring in different colors and patterns while adding privacy and extra fabric texture to your windows.
Related: The Triple Sheeting Method: All You Need To Know
Stack Vintage Trunks as Side Tables
Vintage trunks can serve more than one purpose. Instead of storing them away, Martha Stewart-style decorating uses stacked trunks as side tables or bedside storage.
They add storage space while bringing an old-fashioned feel to a room. Plus, they create an interesting conversation piece that feels different from standard furniture.
Related: How to Upcycle Vintage Suitcase into a Nightstand
Thinking Outside Traditional Decor
Many of Martha Stewart’s most memorable ideas come from seeing ordinary objects in a new way. An old door, a stack of trunks, or a collection of plates can become something completely different with a little creativity.
The best home ideas don’t always come from buying something new. Sometimes, the items you already have can become the pieces that make your space feel personal.
