Designers Swear By This Low-Cost Home Accent

Just in time for spring and fueled by a renewed interest in all things twee (thanks, cottagecore!), this $27 accessory-turned-home-accent has quickly become a favorite amongst interior designers. And, you likely already have one in your closet!

The happily humble straw hat adds as much easygoing charm to your walls as it does to your wardrobe. While straw hats have been a farmer-favorite since man invented the plow, interior designers such as Lilse McKenna and Ariel Okin are now using them to jazz-up their grandmillennial interiors with a country twist. Whether haphazardly hung in the entry or artfully displayed above a guest room bed, pretty-and-practical straw hats are a charming addition to any space in need of a little natural texture and perfectly placed imperfection.

This hats-as-decor trend has risen in popularity alongside the ongoing revival of traditional design and the growing enthusiasm for classically pastoral pursuits—think the pandemic gardening boom and the sudden popularity of the bloom room. Traditional design icons and gardening mavens—like Dorothy Draper, Bunny Mellon, and Martha Stewart—have always known the undeniably chic appeal that straw hats possess.

Today’s independent hat makers, such as Sarah Bray Bermuda and Sunshine Tienda, have taken the basic straw hat and elevated it with fanciful ribbons and hatbands. This customization is another reason designers flock to straw hats for interiors: matching your home to your clothing has never been easier—or more chic.

Regardless of which hat shape you love, whether it’s a classic panama hat or a wide-brimmed gardening hat, there are easy ways to integrate them into your home. See below for some of my favorite ideas and shop some of the best hats to decorate with, just in time for spring.

In the Entry

An antique hat rack serves up shapely style and a practical perch for straw hats.

In the Bedroom

In this pattern-filled bedroom, a collection of hats match the other touches of texture.

In the Living Room

A collection of straw hats doubles as art above the sofa in this coastal cottage.

In Your Closet

A happy collection of hats looks especially elegant in this closet thanks to a chic hat form.

At the Back Door

Craft a charming and practical tableau at your back door with a mix of hats.

Shop These Stylish Chapeaus

Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.