Real or man made, common or exotic, antlers are a nice decorating accessory that has become very popular recently.
Many animals who have antlers shed their antlers every year, so shed antlers are often used to decorate the homes of people who find them while walking in the woods.
Antlers can be used as is, bleached, or painted to coordinate with your home's decor.
Displaying antlers can also bring back a good memory if you collected them on vacation or while enjoying the company of a friend or family member.
Here are a few ideas for decorating with antlers in your home.
photo courtesy of bccnyc flickr.com/photos/briancarlock/2695063103
Mounted
You can mount found antlers on a wood plaque (either flat or protruding), you can mount the entire skull with the antlers attached if you also have a skull, or you can mount an antlered animal head that has been preserved by a taxidermist.
Light Fixtures
Chandeliers, lamps, and wall sconces can be made out of antlers.
The wiring can run behind the antlers or through the antlers with the light bulb coming through the end.
Wreath
If you have several antlers, you can make a wreath or decorative wall sculpture out of them.
Mirrors are sometimes framed with antlers.
Hooks
Smaller antlers are great for making coat hooks, jewelry hangers, or towel hooks, especially if you use several of a similar size that are mounted together.
In a Container
For a collection of several antlers, group them in a large glass vessel for a great decorative accessory inside your home or in a rustic barrel outside your home.
Christmas Tree
If you decorate your home in a rustic style for Christmas, you can decorate your Christmas tree using antlers.
You can even spray paint your antlers shiny gold to coordinate with a more elegant and glamorous Christmas tree.
On Their Own
If your antlers are larger in scale, you can use them on their own as an accessory. They can be laid across a table, on a fireplace mantel, or on top of a hardback book.
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