Brooch Decorating Ideas: Display and Use Old Brooches

If you have old brooches in a drawer, you have more options than you might think. The simplest is to frame them on fabric, and the next simplest is to pin them onto pillows, lampshades, napkins and curtains. Both keep the pieces visible and let light hit the facets.

Below are the display methods first, then a set of ways to put brooches to work around the house, plus the mistakes that make this look cluttered.

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How to display a brooch collection

A collection reads best when it is grouped on one surface. Scattered pieces look like leftovers, while twenty brooches on one panel look intentional. Pick a backing with some body, such as velvet or heavy linen, so the pins hold and the metal stands out against a soft matte surface.

Use a brooch display frame

A deep shadowbox works as a brooch display frame. Stretch velvet over a board, pin the brooches through it from the front, and set the board inside the frame. Choose a frame finish that matches the metal in the room, gold with warm brass and a darker or silver tone with cool nickel. Leave a little space between pieces so each outline stays readable.

Heirloom pieces suit this approach best. Behind glass, the pins can't snag, and nobody sits on them. If a brooch has real sentimental value, I recommend keeping it here and not on anything you lean on.

Other vintage brooch display ideas

• A pinboard or cork panel covered in fabric, hung in a dressing area or entryway.
• A velvet-lined tray on a dresser, so the pieces can be rearranged.
• A padded hanger or a wreath form wrapped in ribbon, with brooches pinned all around it.
• A corner of a vanity mirror frame, with a single brooch clipped on.

For a DIY brooch display, a canvas stretched over a frame and covered in fabric takes about an hour and needs only a staple gun and pins.

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Things to do with old brooches around the house

Brooches are small, so they work best as one accent on something that already draws the eye. These are the uses I find most practical.

Living room

• Pin a large sunburst brooch to the center of a velvet pillow. It gives a tufted look without upholstery tools.
• Use a big brooch to gather a curtain panel as a tie-back, or to hold a throw blanket in place on a chair arm.
• Pin a small piece into the seam of a silk lampshade, where guests will find it only up close.

Dining room

• Use small brooches or clip-on earrings to hold linen napkins instead of napkin rings.
• Pin matching brooches along a table runner hem, about 6 inches apart.
• Glue a brooch to the lid of a glass storage jar for an apothecary look.

Bedroom and entry

• Clip one to a corner of a vanity mirror.
• Replace fabric buttons on a tufted headboard with crystal upholstery tacks, which catch lamplight well.
• Add a brooch to a fabric sconce shade or a fabric valance, at the center of the swag.

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How to style a brooch in a modern way

Modern styling comes down to restraint. Use one oversized brooch on a plain surface, such as a solid gray sofa pillow, and leave everything around it simple. Stick to one or two metal finishes: polished nickel or chrome for a cool look, brass or antiqued gold for a warm one. Mixing too many makes a room feel busy.

A useful proportion for pillows is a brooch about a third of the pillow's width, so roughly 3-4 inches on a 20-inch pillow. Smaller than that and it looks like a mistake.

If you like a fuller look, the posts on layered brooched decor for maximalists and brooched decor objects for a high-end look go further.

How to pin a brooch to a pillow or fabric safely

1. Test the weight first. Hold the brooch against the fabric and check that it doesn't sag. Velvet and heavy linen carry more weight than thin synthetics.
2. Use a locking pin back, or sew the brooch on with upholstery thread if it will be handled.
3. Check the light. Pieces sparkle most within a few feet of a lamp or window, so move the pillow or frame if it looks flat.

Brooches have sharp pins. On pillows people nap on, or anywhere a child or pet might chew or claw, skip them and use a frame instead. If a pet swallows hardware or a pin, call your vet right away.

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Common mistakes with brooch decor

• Putting shine on every surface. Choose about three spots and keep the rest of the room matte.
• Mixing metals without a plan. Match the brooch finish to your lamps or hardware.
• Placing pins where people lean. Pillows used for lumbar support should stay smooth.
• Going too small. Stand 10 feet back: if the sparkle vanishes, use a bigger piece.

Crystal and polished metal show fingerprints, so wipe pieces with a dry microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can strip the finish on costume jewelry.

Where to find brooches

Thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets are the usual sources, and large costume pieces are often inexpensive. Look for solid pin backs and stones that are still set. Family drawers are worth checking first. For more on building a look, see heirloom sparkle decor essentials and how to add shine without glare.

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Start with one hero brooch, match its metal to your existing hardware, and check it under a lamp from a couple of angles. If the room starts to feel busy, take one piece away.

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