Pottery has played an artistic role throughout history.  With all the various shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and material available, pottery has staked its claim as a legitimate design accessory.

Everyone’s home is different, and there are types of pottery that can be incorporated in your home décor whether you are going for midcentury modern, rustic farmhouse, contemporary style, or anything in between!

Let’s take a look at the three most basic types of pottery:  Earthenware, Porcelain, and Stoneware.

Earthenware

This type is fired at a lower temperature from clay dug from the ground.  If earthenware is not glazed, it will absorb water and will not allow light to pass through it.  The color of the pottery will depend on the clay used, but it is usually a buff, brown, or reddish clay.  Think of terracotta!

Porcelain

Porcelain is made from a mixture of materials, generally super refined china clay and china stone. Porcelain pottery was prominent in China – the reason why it is commonly referred to as “china”.  It is a very strong material.

Stoneware

Stoneware is also made from clay but fired at a higher temperature than earthenware.  Stoneware does not absorb water even if left unglazed.  Glazes are purely for aesthetic purposes.

Now you know the basic types of pottery, let’s explore some inspirational ways to display them within your home.

Group by color – pottery can add a splash of color for more visual intrigue.  Trying grouping pieces together by color.  By placing a light-colored grouping against a colored backdrop will make it pop more, as will placing colored pots against a light backdrop.

Arrange by height –placing taller pieces behind smaller pots will provide the foundation for your display.  Use the smallest pots to fill in the gaps and to round out your display.

Not only does pottery function as a design accessory, adding a house plant to your pots is one of the easiest ways to achieve an organic look and to add more color, texture, and of course, cleaner air to your room.  Choose a pot that supports the beauty of the plant.

When it comes to complementing your home with pottery, the choices are nearly endless.  Pottery can make your space feel more personal and visually appealing.  Whatever your style, English Gardens has a full line of pottery sizes and styles that are just waiting for you to integrate into your home’s style. Come by any location to see our full selection.