I’ve always had a thing for bows. Once picture day rolls around at my daughter’s school, you can bet a hair bow will be the finishing touch to her outfit. When I need a low-effort way to elevate a holiday gift in a pinch? A bow always does the trick. And don’t get me started on wedding chairs or Christmas trees dressed up with bows. Chic, chic, chic!
So, as a home editor, you can imagine my excitement when retailers got in on the trend, offering all kinds of decor finds with bows on full display. These days, I’m spotting everything from throw pillows adorned with sweet bows to wine glasses covered in elegant beaded bows.
Designer Ashley DeLapp is all for it, too. “Bows are having a moment because they bring a little romance and whimsy back into interiors,” DeLapp says. “I love anything that keeps a room from taking itself too seriously, and a bow does exactly that.” Don’t stop at pink bows either; she’s partial to bows in unexpected colors like chartreuse, lavender, and cobalt.
The trend works in just about any room, says designer Amy Peltier. “I am a huge fan of bow decor: It is such a great way to bring in a sense of whimsy into a space—anywhere from a dining room to a bedroom or powder bath,” she says.
According to designer Ellie Christopher, bows are the perfect match for florals as well as classic prints like checks and plaid: “I love an old-school floral chintz with bows in the design. Typically, when I use a feminine fabric with bows and flowers, the rest of the detailing leans more clean and casual,” Christopher explains.
Bu there’s no reason the trend should be confined to textiles. “Most people think of fabric when it comes to bows, but we love a brass bow on a door wreath or a lucite bow-shaped napkin ring to add some whimsy to your tablescape,” DeLapp shares.
Want to give the bow decor trend a whirl in your home? Always remember that “scale, color, and material are extremely important when using bows,” says Peltier.
Need inspo? Check out below for budget-friendly finds that nail the trend.
Shop bow home decor finds
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
