10 Fairy Tale Decoration Ideas to Give Your Home a Magical Touch

If you’ve always dreamt of living in your own magic castle, now is the time to bring your storybook dreams to life. Whether you want to transform your home into a full-on Never Never Land or subtly infuse your space with fantastical decor, there are many ways to give your abode a fairy tale touch. Check out these 10 fairy tale decoration ideas to make your once-upon-a-time dreams come true.  

1. Canopy Beds

Imagine waking up in a whimsical canopy bed made for royalty. This modern bedroom idea is great for people who reserve storybook home accents for private, cozy areas. Try adding a lightweight canopy that fits your existing bed frame, or invest in a new canopy. 

2. Twinkle and String Lights

Twinkle and string lights are an easy yet impactful addition to any room, creating a subtle storybook effect on your home. Hang them anywhere in your home that needs mood lighting, and then step back to enjoy their immediate, enchanting effect on your space. For a more energy-efficient option, consider using LED lights that will last longer than incandescent lights.

3. Chandeliers

Searching for a storybook-inspired lighting feature that makes a big statement? Chandeliers are the way to go. Look for options that are intricately crafted and look like they could hang in a castle.

While it’s possible to hang a chandelier yourself, it’s safer to hire a pro to handle this delicate task. Chandeliers are typically heavy and require solid ceiling reinforcements. Hire a local electrician to ensure your fairy tale chandelier is hung safely.

4. Grandfather Clocks

Grandfather clocks are arguably the most majestic way to tell time, and adding one to your home will upgrade it to Cinderella status. Look for antique options and keep an open mind during your search. For example, if you find a grandfather that has great design features but it doesn’t match your color palette, consider updating it with a new coat of paint.

Whether you refinish the antique piece or not, be sure to take the necessary precautions when moving a grandfather clock. Grandfather clocks are often precious heirlooms that weigh hundreds of pounds, so many people opt to hire a local moving company to oversee transport.

5. Wainscoting

There are many charming ways to add wainscoting to every room of your home. This unique wall addition works well in entryways, dining rooms, stairways, and more. Wainscoting can elevate the fairy tale factor of a simple room while creating the illusion of additional space. Plus, you can customize your wainscoting with paint colors or designs to make it one of a kind.

6. Pastel Wall Colors

Light pinks, purples, greens, and blues are all ideal wall paint colors for creating a fairy tale-inspired space. You can paint entire rooms in one of these colors to fully transform them or paint one wall to add a sprinkle of fairy dust to your abode. Once you pick the perfect pastel, consider hiring a professional painter near you to ensure even applications.

7. Dried and Fresh Flowers

Flowers frequently appear in fairy tales, from the daisies and tulips in “Alice in Wonderland” to the iconic rose in “Beauty and the Beast.” Bringing flowers into your home is a quick way to give your home a storybook accent without making any major changes or purchases. Start by planting perennial flowers, and then dry them for future decorating purposes.

8. Large, Decorative Mirrors

This decorative element will give your home a fairy tale feel while maintaining a modern design aesthetic. Large mirrors with gold or silver frames create a luxurious look, while the mirror itself will make your overall space seem larger. Plus, there are many ways to decorate with mirrors, including adding them to hallways, bedrooms, and other small spaces.

9. Crystal Finishes and Features

Crystal or mirrored finishes on furnishings like desks, cupboards, and countertops will make it feel like you’re living inside Cinderella’s glass slipper. 

If you want to add crystal touches but less permanently, consider adding movable features like picture frames or side tables. These additions will impact the same magical effect with more flexibility to change it later.

10. Whimsical Wallpaper

If you want to add more fairy tale decorations to your home, themed wallpaper is a great way to do so. You can find wallpaper options printed with different mystical themes or embrace a nature-inspired option—like a forest or mountain-printed wallpaper—to mimic the effect of being in a land far, far away. 

For a temporary design change, we recommend applying temporary wallpaper that you can easily remove on your own. However, you should consider hiring a local wallpaper hanger for permanent application.