Clothes as Decor

Rethinking the line between getting dressed and decorating

This week, I got on this kick of hunting down images on Pinterest where clothing contributes to the vibe of the room, almost like it’s a part of the design. Maybe it was intentional, maybe it was just a photo snapped mid-packing, maybe it was a display in a cool store. Either way, I am a woman obsessed with tracking down these images of garments out in a room, instead of tucked in a closet.

Seeing clothing as a design feature of a room merges two of my favorite things — fashion and interior design — in this really satisfying way that feels reminiscent of a dog getting it’s ears scratched.

This room wouldn’t feel the same without the camel coat pulling the tones of the wood floor upwards and softening the lines of the doorframe. Also — the pattern of the bag!😍

Obviously we’re in mid-pack here, but I love the shoe lineup and dresses hung on the door.

I think the idea appeals to me so much because of my own living setup. My apartment is small and a bit quirky, which I love. The closet is in the living room, and I usually keep my capsule wardrobe on a garment rack that’s fully out in the room. As in, you walk in the front door and there it is, front and center.

At first, this felt like a design flaw, and I really wanted to find a way to get the rack out. But the usefulness of having my capsule there became undeniable. I wrote more about that in this post, but in a nutshell, having my clothes visible in this way makes getting dressed so much easier.

But besides that, it’s also done something unexpected to the feel of the room.

The hanging garments soften the acoustics, the way curtains do. They add texture, pattern, and color — just like throw pillows or art prints would — but with more life, because these are the pieces I wear and touch every day.

The more I’ve lived this way the more I’ve realized how much the clothes contribute to the ambiance of the room.

I’ve come to think of it almost like displaying a collection, the way someone might display their book or record collection. I like seeing my clothes out in my space, instead of behind closed doors.

Shoes as a collection.

If you’re a long time reader, you might recognize this — it’s my house from 2018! Really sad I sold that antique wardrobe. 😩

A store display here, but I really love how that leather jacket is featured almost like a piece of art.

Oh look! It’s my current apartment / garment rack setup.

Bags on knobs and mirrors! Shoes on chairs!

So I’ve started thinking more about ways my clothes can function like art in my home. Like maybe adding a hook where I can hang a single favorite piece — something I do wear, yes, but also want to frame visually, like a favorite painting. Or hanging a slouchy bag on a dresser drawer.

This isn’t about buying a piece to carefully place it and never move it, but it’s about letting the clothes I wear become a part of the room too.

Even just hanging an everyday jacket on the back of the door adds so much life to this room.

Would I be so into this idea this if I had a dream closet with ample space and lighting? Maybe not. But isn’t that the magic? That creative energy often grows out of what we lack? My too-small, too-dark, non-inspiring closet ended up inspiring a new design vision. A fresh way of seeing clothing, storage, room design.

That’s what I love most about this whole idea — that it’s just a new way of seeing what’s already there.

I’m curious — what do you think about this idea of using clothes as a design feature of a room? Does this thought inspire you, too? I’d love to hear if you’ve ever done anything similar!

❤️ Caroline Joy