Don't fancy yourself as much of an interior designer, but want to make your home draw gasps and endless compliments when people come over and visit? If you answered "yes" then it's not actually that surprising since that sentence basically sums up 95% of the country. We all like our homes to look good, even if we don't particularly enjoy cleaning and the work that goes into making them that way. So what's going to make your home look that little bit nicer this year? Well, while we don't profess to be interior designing gurus that have changed the world like Patricia Urquiola or Philippe Starck, we do know that copper planters have been absolutely flying off of our shelves (but luckily they are being paid for unlike in this story.). Coincidence? Nope, they just happen to be one of the most in demand interior decor items out there right now and during this post we're going to talk a bit about them and how you could use them.

Wait...They're an EXTERIOR Decor Item, Right?!

That's what a lot of people think when they first hear about using copper planters, but it's a common misconception, as they can actually be used both inside and outside your home and will do a great job at enhancing the appearance of either area. Misunderstood too is the planter's actual role; it's not just a container for housing plants. Oh no, modern design trends have seen them used successfully for much more than that and we're going to share some of our favorite interior design ideas involving copper planters.

• Complement Your Open Fire - Are you the proud owner of a rustic themed home, complete with a cozy, open log fire? If so, we've seen copper planters used many times to simply store a small supply of logs to keep the fire burning strong and the cold winter air at bay. Copper planters come in all shapes and sizes but the elongated ones work best for this and the color of the planter (particularly if kept shiny) extends the warmth of the fire.
• Towel "Bucket" - When people think of metals exposed to water they think of rust and the appearance of the metal deteriorating. That's what stops many people thinking about using copper decor in a bathroom. Of course other people know better and create wonderful, unique bathroom interiors with copper bathtubs, complete with claw feet, or by putting a copper sink in the room. If you're not ready to make such a big commitment to copper because of the cost or because there's nothing wrong with your current sink or bathtub, using a copper planter or bucket to store a fresh supply of towels is a cheaper and easier way to add warmth and positive energy to the room.
• Funky Storage - Smaller planters made from copper can be a real quirky way to store items around your home. We have seen a whole range of items stored in them from pens, pencils and other stationary items to candles to cutlery and kids toys. These planters stick out and really add something to a room that plastic containers or wooden boxes just can't compete with. So often storage items are solely practical; why not make yours aesthetically pleasing too?!
• Extra Special Christmas Decorations - Decorating your home for Christmas is like a big competition in most neighborhoods, with every homeowner looking to get an edge over their neighbors. One way you can drastically increase the charm and visual appeal of your home's interior this Christmas is to use copper planters as the basis of some extra special Christmas decorations, filling them with Christmas tree branches, holy, pine cones, ribbons and candles.
• Shoe Storage - Hallways often don't get much attention in terms of interior design as you never "hang around" in the area, you just pass through it, and consequently homeowners prefer to spend their hard earned cash on more important rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms. Combine that with the fact that in many homes shoes are typically taken off and just slung on the floor and there's an obvious solution that's both practical and attractive - an elongated copper planter. Not only does this brighten up what is often a dull part of the home, but it also ensures that shoes are kept nice and tidy while their owners don't need them.

As you can see, there are tons of ways copper planters could potentially be used, and the above list includes just a fraction of the possible uses. You could use them to craft quirky lampshades, chairs, sinks or water features, and if you haven't done so already, to dump a load of ice cold water over your head to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for ALS. For more rustic home decor ideas and advice on copper home decor, keep tuning into our blog to hear what we have to say.