Bless You, Burlap!

Let’s all take a moment to be forgiving and pardon burlap for its itchiness. After all, it makes up for it in so many other ways: the neutral hue works with so many other colors, it’s inexpensive, and get this—it’s biodegradable! So you can dress up your home while doing the earth a favor.

The Key to Burlap’s Success

There’s a whole debate as to whether the appeal of burlap is its faux humility, but as a designer, burlap appeals to me because of its extraordinary versatility.

The key is its neutral, earthy color and unique texture. Its quiet, subdued hue can be combined with any other color to create a pleasing color combination, but the interesting texture lets it hold on its own.

 

There are so many ways to incorporate burlap into décor. A simple burlap runner can do wonders for your table setting, but I’ve also seen it on pillows, tied into wreaths, wrapped around candles, sewn into lampshades—the possibilities are almost endless! (Now that’s not to say they’re all good possibilities—I’ve seen some chairs upholstered in the stuff and it gets me itchy just thinking about it!)

For you crafty types, here’s a list of over 50 burlap decor project ideas. If you don’t find anything that tickles your fancy, you’ll at least come away with some inspiration!

 

Decorating with Burlap

Pair it with weathered wood, some robin’s egg blue, decorative seashells and voila! Instant beach cottage casual chic!

 

(For more inspiration, check out our board on Pinterest!)

The burlap trend is still going strong, and for good reason: it’s a very attractive, versatile décor option. Now I’d like to say burlap is on its way to becoming a staple, but alas! Only time will tell. The history of denim is optimistically inspiring—people said it wouldn’t last past the Gold Rush, and now it’s a closet essential!

So tell me, what’s your take on the burlap trend?