This Unexpected (and Inexpensive!) Decor Item Is Everywhere at the Magnolia Home Store

As a home editor, I was in decor heaven on a recent trip to Magnolia. I was prepared to spend a pretty penny at the Magnolia Home store, but my favorite thing in the shop wasn’t actually for sale. Even better: You can re-create the unexpected trend in your own home for just a few dollars.

The Magnolia Home store is filled with perfectly curated displays that demonstrate how to arrange the available couches, throws, and coffee tables in their own homes. But one unexpected decor element appeared throughout the shop again and again: Bowls and trays filled with vintage-looking black-and-white game pieces. 

The monochromatic displays of dominoes, die, and other board game essentials are both modern and casual. A decorative bowl filled with dominoes elevates a coffee table while making a space feel homey and relatable. And with a quick trip to your board game cabinet, you can re-create the look in just minutes (for free!). If you don’t have enough pieces—or don’t want to sacrifice your game nights for decor—you can buy them for just a few dollars.

How to Decorate with Game Pieces

The key to decorating with board game pieces and keeping the look elevated is to maintain a monochromatic color scheme. While not strictly limited to neutral colors, your palette should stick to similar shades of a single color.

First, choose a vessel that matches your decorating style, like a glossy black tray for a contemporary living room, or a fluted bowl for a cottagecore space. Select a container with a bit of texture to add further interest to the display.

Next, fill your container with game pieces. Stick with black-and-white dominoes, die, or Scrabble tiles, or if you have a colorful game set, pick out only the blue pieces, for example, to maintain a cohesive, understated aesthetic.

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, place them on a buffet, sofa table, or mantel along with an assortment of coffee table books, your favorite candle, or a casual vase of greenery. With just a few items (and some game pieces you might already have in a drawer) you can create a contemporary decor display that looks put together without feeling fussy.