Store Decor: Some retail shops are decorated using their merchandise as decorations and others use more traditional interior decor items rather than items that are for sale. When using your merchandise as props, try grouping by theme or by color. There are many ways of using color in visual merchandising, though two are especially effective in drawing attention to the displays. Using contrasting colors is one strategy and another is to use different shades of the same color.
Bevello - Raleigh & Winston-Salem, NC
Bevello stores in North Carolina use artwork and topiaries as store decor. It is a lovely example of the merging of interior design and visual merchandising. 
Puddle Ducks - Lake St. Louis, MO
Puddle Ducks, a specialty childrens store in Lake Saint Louis, MO, took the single color approach in this pretty holiday display.
Ellie - Auburn and Tuscaloosa, AL
Ellie - Auburn & Tuscaloosa, AL
Contrasting colors draw attention to your displays. Ellie Boutiques fully understand this concept! Pictured here, you can see how they use this approach in their in-store displays and their store windows.A reader submitted this picture, below, of a store that chose bright colors in their store decor. I do not know where the store is located, but I want to share the picture, as it is a very nice example of bold and effective color usage in store decor.
Upcoming themes: I am collecting pictures for a blog about denim displays and fitting rooms. I am also building a file of pictures using suitcases as display props. As you take down your holiday displays, take pictures of your new displays and keep sending them in!
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HAVE A SAFE AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
~Becky
alternative to such plastic cups, Put-In-Cups are multi-colored snap-in plastic pieces that you can 
use to create words or designs in chain link fences. You can buy fencing in various widths & heights at most hardware stores and build your own fence or consider using a pre-made gate or two. Years ago, I saw a wall-mounted gate used to display 
earring cards, necklaces and belts. The display was softened by intertwining colorful scarves. I wish I had taken a picture back then, but I think you can get the idea. It’s simple to attach merchandise to fencing with S-hooks or apparel hangers and easy to change it, making it a versatile “fixture” that could work in a store window or on 
a blank wall. I hope you enjoy this pictorial fencing story and be sure to 
send in pictures and ideas if you get inspired to create a fence display!
perhaps the most relevant cashwrap ever. A laminate surface tops hundreds of books stacked with “pages out” to form a sales counter that is truly inspiring! These two store designs prove that design creativity is alive and well. Once again, I say “I wish I had thought of that”. If only I had a nickel for every time…
Rather than cluttering the display with too many items, you’ll notice the hutch shows multiples of each item. By showing two or three of the same item side-by-side and stacked deep, the featured items become more noticeable. As long as it is kept neat, this simple (though often overlooked) technique is a staple of good retail display. You’ll notice that she also uses the same technique on a table of party supplies.
display. An old frame utilizes wall space to show off jewelry pieces. I can picture (pun intended) this idea expanded into a grouping with frames of different sizes, each featuring a single piece of a coordinating jewelry collection or color story. I 
think this would be an ideal way to display jewelry in an art gallery. Thanks to the readers who sent in these last two pictures/ideas. If you have additional ideas for using rods, bars, frames or other non-traditional display fixtures, please share by clicking “comments” below and/or sending pictures via the “contact” link at the bottom of this page.
