The Most Popular Decor Items At West Elm
The concept of modernism arose in the 1930s when people began prioritizing simplicity and functionality in daily life. These ideals permeated the world of interior design, inspiring the use of sustainable materials and stylish but modest home decor (via Better). These values are still present in today's interior design trends, and many luxury brands use this style for their furniture and decoration collections.
West Elm is a modern furniture manufacturer that launched in 2002, and they provide original product designs that utilize local resources while preaching sustainability. Currently, 95% of their products are designed in-house, and they focus on creating these consumer goods with minimal environmental impact (via West Elm). They use organic resources, utilize recycled and upcycled materials, and are certified non-toxic by GreenGuard and Oeko-Tex. According to Essential Sleep, items produced in modern manufacturing can sometimes emit toxic chemicals over time, and GreenGuard and Oeko-Tex guarantee that such emissions were not detected in testing.
With their combination of trendy, durable, and non-toxic products, West Elm meets many of the demands of modern-day consumers with their contemporary furniture and decor collections. If you're interested in adding a touch of modernism to your home while supporting a company that encourages sustainable practices, this luxury brand is the place to go. You can check out some of their best-selling decorative items in the list below.
Faux fur throw blanket
One of the top-selling products at West Elm is their faux fur throw blankets. These blankets are available in 18 different colors and patterns and come in two sizes; standard or oversized. All the options are soft faux fur made from polyester, acrylic, and mod-acrylic blends. These artificial materials are plastic-based, making them water-resistant, long-lasting, and plush to the touch (via Silver Bobbin).
If you're looking for a more breathable blanket, you should check out the chinchilla, chevron, and cascade designs. These options are made with 100% polyester, making them more lightweight and usable throughout warmer seasons. If you're looking for a thick blanket that also retains heat, opt for the ombre, brushed tips, or striped patterns, which are blended with insulative acrylic fibers. These blankets are excellent for throwing over your bed, couch, chairs, benches, or even as area rugs to add comfort and texture to interior spaces (via Sew Sweet Minky Designs).
Purchase the faux fur throw blankets from West Elm starting at $110.
Lush velvet pillow covers
Following the style of the luxe faux fur blankets, West Elm also provides lush velvet pillow covers. These pillow covers come in five common throw pillow sizes and are available in pastel and bold color options. The listed colors include regal blue, dusty blush, pearl gray, golden oak, copper, dark moss, and slate. You can place these shiny and elegant decorative pieces on couches, chairs, and beds to add a decorative touch to any room.
These coverings are Fair Trade Certified and crafted from quality fabrics — rayon, nylon, linen, and cotton. The Fair Trade certification guarantees these pillow covers were made in healthy and safe working conditions, ensuring that you're supporting positive manufacturing processes when purchasing this collection (via Fair Trade Certified). If you need inserts for these pillow coverings, you can find them at West Elm too.
Purchase the lush velvet pillow covers from West Elm starting at $34.50.
Black matte ceramic vases
Vases are a great way to go if you're looking for small but impactful decorative objects to enhance a space. They can be used on their own or accented with real or faux plants to add a touch of nature to your interior. The pure black matte ceramic vases from West Elm are earthenware with a glazed finish. Earthenware products are favored for their high-shine and colorful properties, which makes them vibrant additions to interior decorating (via The Pottery Wheel).
This collection is comprised of many different designs, including a bead vase, carafe, jug, pot, raindrop vase, squat vase, and centerpiece bowl. Each is sold separately, so you can mix and match as you please. Several of the designs come in different sizes, giving you more versatility in your decorating choices.
You should know that earthenware tends to be more fragile, meaning you should place these decorative pieces in a safe, low-traffic location in your home. Aside from keeping them out of danger zones, they are low upkeep. West Elm recommends dusting them routinely and wiping them clean with a soft, damp cloth as needed. Avoid using rough towels or bristled brushes when cleaning to avoid scratching the ceramic and its glazed finish.
Purchase the black matte ceramic vases from West Elm starting at $36.
Modern weave rattan baskets
Baskets are great examples of modernism in interior design since they double as functional storage and simplistic decor. The handwoven rattan baskets from West Elm are sold individually or in pairs, and they come in various shapes and sizes. Depending on your needs, you can choose between baskets for your floor, shelves, or tabletop centerpieces. Several of the baskets also come with lids, allowing you to hide clutter or other household objects you don't want on display.
They're sold in a natural, dark brown color or with a whitewash finish, making them suitable for bright and dark color schemes alike. Both colors require simple caretaking— they must be dusted or wiped clean with moistened towels as dust and dirt build-up becomes visible. Rattan material tends to be stain-resistant and resilient to wear and tear, ensuring these baskets will hold up long-term with proper caretaking (via Rattan Garden Furniture). Although many rattan products can be used indoors and outdoors, West Elm advertises these baskets for interior use.
Purchase the modern weave rattan baskets from West Elm starting at $24.
Deco metal fireplace screen
When the days and nights get colder, a fireplace is a coveted luxury in your home. However, when using a fireplace, it's important that you also practice basic safety. A stylish fireplace screen can add a decorative touch while keeping stray flames and sparks from escaping the hearth.
West Elm provides a small or large deco metal fireplace screen in a modern design that marries modernity and functionality. You can purchase this screen with an antique brass or black finish. Both colors can be purchased with either a metal or white marble base. The screens with metal bases come in two sizes, small and large, while the white marble bases also come in an extra-large size.
Make sure you choose a screen that adequately covers the fireplace opening. Selecting a screen that is too small will make it ineffective for its functional purpose. In contrast, picking a screen too large for your fireplace can dwarf your room and ruin the aesthetic appeal. It's unlikely that a screen will fit your fireplace exactly unless you purchase a custom-fitted design, but Mantels Direct recommends using screens that are slightly larger to ensure your room is protected.
Purchase the deco metal fireplace screen from West Elm starting at $325.
Agate stone bookends
Bookworms will appreciate the agate stone bookends, which are sold as individual pieces or in sets of two. These bookends are made of agate and feature naturally occurring crystalized rings. They come in dyed blue or green colors, and their sizing and exact appearance vary due to their natural origins. These bookends are ideal for their purpose due to their heavy weight— most agate bookends weigh in at around seven pounds per pair, such as the set also available at West Elm's affiliated brand Williams-Sonoma. The heavier weight makes them sturdier for holding up hardcover books and larger library collections.
Concepts in interior decorating often take inspiration from spiritual ideas. Agate is thought to promote feelings of health and positivity. According to Tiny Rituals, blue agate promotes a soothing atmosphere, while green inspires patience. If you're trying to design a room that inspires calmness, these bookends will make a great addition, even if you don't believe in the spiritual aspects. People who don't have sizable book collections can still use these bookends as standalone decorative pieces. They can be used to accent shelves with other tchotchkes and knick-knacks.
Purchase the agate stone bookends from West Elm starting at $34.
Patchouli and sandalwood scent collection
Scented decorative accents are very popular among homeowners, and it's no surprise that one of West Elm's scent collections makes its best-selling list. The Rove Collection features patchouli and sandalwood smells, providing them in various scented receptacles. You can choose between candles or diffuser sticks, depending on your preferred method. The candle option comes in several sizes and designs, such as the 5.5-ounce single wick candle, 16.5-ounce basic design, 12.9-ounce boxed glass, and a 45.1-ounce bowl candle.
West Elm describes the fragrance notes as a "promenade," explaining how it features hints of grapefruit, ylang-ylang, and vetiver to create the patchouli and sandalwood scent. If you're a fan of woody and rich smells, this is the selection for you. New Direction Aromatics explores the historical background behind this highly popular scent, citing how ancient civilizations have used sandalwood for incense and perfumes for over 4,000 years. Although the medical benefits are debatable, these smells are thought to promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Purchase the patchouli and sandalwood candle collection from West Elm starting at $28.
Moroccan leather pouf
The Moroccan leather pouf from West Elm serves as both an ornamental item and additional seating, making it a great addition to small and large spaces alike. This item stands at a modest 14 inches tall and is roughly 20 inches around. It is an authentic piece made in Morocco, a country which been a leader in the leather industry for much of history (via Forever Leather Goods). This pouf is made of 100% goat leather, which is one of the most popular materials for similar designs. The unique stitching displays an artistic pattern across the pouf, and you can purchase it in multiple colors.
Currently, you can find this unique ottoman in navy blue, silver, tan, white, gold, gray, indigo, cream, musk, and khaki color options. The stitching ranges from light to dark hues deliberately chosen to complement the overall pouf color. The various color options suit many interior designs, including traditional, contemporary, modern, and glam styles. According to Overstock, ottomans are great multifunctional room accessories. They serve as centerpieces for holding food and drink trays, magazines, plants, and other decor, as well as being a place where you can sit or rest your feet.
Purchase the Moroccan leather pouf from West Elm starting at $300.
Indoor/outdoor reversible throw pillow
West Elm has more than just best-selling interior decor. One of their most popular items is their indoor/outdoor reversible garden pillow. This expertly crafted pillow is another Fair Trade Certified item and is handcrafted with recycled materials, making it a highly sustainable product. Unlike the other pillow covers featured on this list, this product includes the insert, and you should know the covering cannot be removed from the pillow.
These pillows are built to be water-resistant and reversible. The jute, cotton, and polyester blend is stitched together to make a bold pattern inspired by the chinoiserie style. If you're unfamiliar with this style, you can recognize it by its whimsical depictions of nature and East Asian culture (via Extreme Design). The design currently available features a yellow, orange, and purple floral pattern on a white background. Each pillow is sold individually, and you can add these to a space to spice up neutral-shaded furniture.
Purchase the indoor/outdoor reversible throw pillow from West Elm starting at $49.50.
Brass gallery frame set
Picture frames can display more than typical photos, posters, and drawings. People frame plants, handwritten notes, personal collections, and sometimes they even leave frames empty (via Upcycle That). With the stylish brass gallery frames from West Elm, the design possibilities are endless. These metal frames are sold individually and in sets of three, four, six, nine, and twelve. They come in various sizes, from as small as five by seven inches to as large as 20 by 30 inches.
The most popular sold set in this collection is coated in a polished brass finish, but there are also black, nickel, and white finishes. All frames are made with tempered glass, and they come with removable, acid-free paper mats. You can hang them vertically or horizontally, giving you extensive freedom in how you wish to arrange your set. Amateur home decorators will be pleased to know that West Elm also provides hanging templates for their frames, showing you how to assemble your frames in an appealing way.
Purchase the brass gallery frame set from West Elm starting at $29.
White and gold wall mirror set
A set of artistic mirrors is a great way to furnish an empty wall if you're looking for something more creative than standard artwork. West Elm's best-selling Peruvian wall mirrors are hand-carved out of engineered wood and come in six unique designs. Each mirror is sold individually, enabling you to create your own custom set by choosing from flower, sun, large sun, star, rectangle, and square designs. Despite their distinctive shapes, these mirrors complement one another and mesh well as decorative wall pieces.
In addition to their gorgeous handmade craftsmanship, you should know that these mirrors were made under ethical circumstances. They meet the standards of Nest, a nonprofit company that strives to support artisan workers and ensure they are compensated properly for their work (via Nest). Therefore, purchasing these frames won't only add extraordinary decor to your interior design; you'll also be supporting local businesses in small communities.
Purchase the white and gold wall mirror set from West Elm starting at $69.
Geometric tile dimensional art
Adorn the wall in your living room, dining room, bedroom, or entryway with a unique tile art display. This geometric artwork looks best in contemporary or modern style rooms, and it has a pattern of convex and concave glazed tiles. The tiles are made of ceramic, which are fastened together on a steel backing to create a sturdy art piece that will last for years to come.
It is handmade in the Philippines, and West Elm boasts that the design helps preserve cultural craft traditions by supporting artisans around the world (via West Elm). In addition to supporting local artists, you should know the benefits of adding geometric designs to your home. The Tile Shop explains that geometric shapes augment a space, making bold statements with simple designs. The simple but dramatic contribution to a room makes this art piece evocative of modern style and emboldens a room's stylistic interior without being overbearing.
Purchase the geometric tile dimensional art from West Elm starting at $349.
Lacquer wood trays
Ornamental trays are great for organizing home collections, holding commonly used tools, sorting clutter, or being paired with decorative displays in any room. The wood trays from West Elm are 18 by 28 inches and can hold various items, from collectibles to prepared food and drinks. These rectangular pieces are made of engineered wood, and they come in silver, white, gold, or red lacquer finishes. The bold finishes match most interior styles, and the tray also has a handle that makes it easy to grip when moving around.
These trays are highly versatile. You can use them solely for functional purposes and store them away when not in use. However, they can also embellish your interior design when you add them to tables in hallways, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and other locations with open surface space (via Pottery Barn).
Purchase the lacquer wood trays from West Elm starting at $72.