14 Creative Ways To Use Decor Tattoos You Haven't Tried Yet

When you think of tattoos, adorned tablescapes and customized tiling are not usually the first topics that come to mind. However, decor tattoos are a trendy, new way to add a personal touch to your home through simple DIY methods. Most of us are familiar with peel-and-stick decals or stickers, but decor tattoos use a transfer method to decorate your home goods, similar to a temporary tattoo that you would apply to your skin.

To apply the decor tattoo, you'll trim the outline of the desired design with scissors, soak the tattoo in water until the paper begins to separate. Then you apply the tattoo to the chosen surface with the graphic facing up, and slide the paper out from underneath, while carefully holding the tattoo in place. Then, you can set the design using either your oven or a heated appliance, like a hair dryer, to set it. One advantage that decor tattoos have over peel-and-stick decals is that they can easily be removed from surfaces with acetone, without causing damage or leaving behind a sticky residue. They're also food-safe and can withstand being washed, so you can use them on glasses and tableware confidently. 

One of the best perks of using decor tattoos is that they're extremely versatile and can be used on a wide array of surfaces. From delicate thrifted glass to ceramic tiling, you can add charm to any room of the house with this crafty DIY. Here are some of our favorite ways to use decor tattoos in your home's interior design without breaking the bank or overcommitting. 

If you want to make a lasting impression on your guests during your next dinner party, you can try your hand at transforming boring plates into a statement piece with decor tattoos. This is a more affordable alternative to genuine fine China, as you can use the decals to make luxe-looking plates with just a few inexpensive items from the store. The tattoos are food safe, so you can use the adorned plates as functional tableware or display them as art pieces in your home. 

The price of beautiful bathroom tiling can quickly add up, but using decor tattoos to replicate unique patterns can save you the headache of a lengthy renovation. With tattoo decals, there's no need to waste time or effort retiling, and because they're waterproof, you can even use them in your shower. You also have more creative control with tile tattoos, since you can cut them and arrange them in whatever pattern your heart desires, and they come in a wide variety of styles and color schemes.

You can also apply the tattoo decals to plain or understated vases to give them a more refined look in your home. The delicate design patterns can be easily mixed or matched and intentionally applied, so your fresh flowers' home looks fit for a museum exhibit. Because the decor tattoos are removable, you can even change the colors and patterns as the seasons change, or to match specific bouquets. The decorated vases would look stunning as a coffee table centerpiece or on display in a sunny windowsill. 

Decor tattoos can breathe life into your pantry by adding charm to otherwise plain storage canisters that are often overlooked during daily life. This temporary solution can create endless possibilities for decorating jars and other food organizers. You can find produce and pantry-themed tattoo packs that would fit effortlessly into your kitchen's theme, or go for a daintier, farmhouse aesthetic with delicate wildflower decals. You can also custom-order tattoos to match the specific ingredient being stored in the container, which is helpful for organizational purposes.

Why settle for plain, white light switch covers when you could give your room personality and a pop of color with decor tattoos?  We interact with light switches around the house several times throughout the day, but rarely stop to notice them. Applying a temporary pattern or border, however, can spice up your light switch covers, brightening up your day. This is a great option for renters as well, since you can remove them with little to no wall damage. 

Decor tattoos can be used on candles as well, which can make great seasonal decorations. You can choose the design according to the holiday and add an extra dose of festivity to your home's seasonal theme, regardless of the time of year. A tattooed candle would also make a thoughtful and unique gift since companies like Suteka allow you to custom-order specific designs or phrases for a special occasion. For a longer-lasting piece of decor, you can tattoo the outside of a candle holder and replace the candles over time.

You can start your day right with a piping hot cup of coffee in a cutesy, artistic mug you created yourself. Decor tattoos are generally dishwasher and food-safe, so feel free to thrift cheap, uninteresting mugs and let your creative side run wild. From watercolor portraits of dogs to Matisse-inspired floral patterns, there's a wide variety of art styles and illustrations you can find online. Additionally, several tattoos come in a pack, allowing you to create a matching set if you have multiple mugs.

It's no secret that thriving plants can bring liveliness to your home and create an uplifting atmosphere, but you can take it a step further by tattooing your plant's pots with whimsical doodles or intriguing illustrations. Botanical decor tattoos, or flora and fauna-themed decals, are well-suited for elevating your potted plants. If you're growing any potted herbs, you can tattoo the names onto the coordinating pots for easy identification. It's probably best to use the tattoos on indoor plants, however, to avoid wear and tear from the elements. 

The bathroom isn't the only room of your house where you can use decor tattoos on tiling. Upgrade your kitchen's backsplash with elegant decals that immediately grab your attention. For a more upscale ambiance, you can opt for tattoos that mimic Italian tiles and add an air of luxury to your cooking space. For a more retro or Art Deco-style interior design, you can choose a vintage-style decal that's welcoming and cheerful. And if your style tastes evolve, they can easily be washed away.

Christmas ornaments are another thoughtful gift for the holiday season that you can customize with decor tattoos. Whether you choose to tattoo a sincere message that will touch the heart of someone special or a festive image to give the ornament a more personal touch, decor tattoos can help level up your gift-giving. You can also use the decor tattoos to commemorate special occasions or milestones, such as a family's first holiday season together, or create personalized ornaments that capture sentimental occasions. 

You can also create a unique accent wall using decor tattoos. Start with a pattern of your choice and carefully arrange then apply them to a wall that's lacking a bit of character. With a little time and patience, you can use the tattoos to form a bespoke accent wall that adds depth and texture to your room. This is a good option for renters since they can be removed from the wall with minimal damage once it comes time to pack their belongings and move out. 

Since decor tattoos transfer well onto smooth, glass surfaces, you can apply them to mirrors to create an illusion of depth and intrigue. A large standing mirror can make your living areas feel airier and more spacious, but you can take your home's interior design to the next level by adding delicate decor tattoos around a mirror's edge for an elevated and refined touch. Whether you just want to add one or two small tattoos as accents or frame the mirror with an elegant border, you have total creative control.

Personalized reusable water bottles can get expensive, but you can opt for a more affordable method of customizing your water bottle or tumbler on your own with handpicked decor tattoos. You can order decals that say your name or feature a unique design, so your one-of-a-kind creation will never be confused with someone else's similar brand-name water bottles. You can then enjoy hydrating from a vessel you've added a personal touch to. 

With spooky season just around the corner, you can plan ahead with a fun decor tattoo DIY project. The brand Suteka offers an inexpensive Halloween Tattoo Pack that you can apply to candles, plates, glasses, or cookware. Whether you're looking to craft a tablescape for a Halloween dinner party or want to add a seasonal touch to your items, the pack of twelve tattoos is versatile and delightfully festive.