In Defense of Weird Decor: Why Your Home Needs a Little Oddity

Each week, interior designer, artist, and self-proclaimed color obsessive Lu Loveless shares a peek into her design process—whether it’s a smart trick she swears by or a favorite resource from her personal folder. This week, she’s making the case for the odd, the offbeat, and the wonderfully quirky pieces that give a home real character.

There’s a special kind of magic in the objects that make people tilt their head and say, “Wait... where did you get that?” You know the ones. A colorful papier-mâché lamp. Your vast collection of sassy needlepoint pillows. A milking stool decoupaged with cocktail napkins you’ve been hoarding since 1998 (hi, that one’s mine). I like to think of these pieces as the unsung heroes of a home—the ones doing the most without trying too hard.

Weird decor is like personality furniture. It doesn’t ask for permission. It doesn’t match the rest of the room. It just shows up and says “This is who I am” and somehow it makes everything else look more interesting. In a world full of beige everything and minimalist sameness, a little oddity goes a long way. And more often than not, it’s the WTF pieces that make a space feel truly personal.

I’ve always gravitated toward things that feel a little off—in the best way: vintage finds, handmade pieces, marketplace scores, furniture that looks like it was made for someone’s eccentric aunt in the ‘70s. These objects carry stories, quirks, and character that you just can’t buy new. And when I don’t find the piece I want? Sometimes I just make it. (See: this week’s decoupaged stool).

The best part? Weird decor does the heavy lifting of storytelling so you don’t have to. You don’t need to explain your style in words when your living room already says, “I’m into color, humor, and possibly owls.” Let your space drop the hints. Let your art be a little loud. Let the side table start conversations.

So here’s your sign to embrace the weird stuff. The offbeat, one-of-a-kind, maybe-a-little-tacky objects that make you smile. Your home deserves character because character is never boring. And if you’re not sure where to start, make it an adventure. Wander through a thrift store with no shopping list. Search “vintage cottagecore ducks” on Facebook Marketplace and see what you get. Ask a friend’s grandma if she’s got anything in her attic that nobody in the family wants (spoiler: she does). The fun is in the hunt, and the best finds are the ones that sneak up on you when you least expect them.

With love,

Lu