Take a look inside any A-list designer’s home and you’re likely to spot a pedestal holding court. Bunny Williams uses a mix of styles to elevate plants in her sunroom. Alex Papachristidis employs a sleek lacquered version to show off an embellished bust. Timothy Corrigan placed a pair in his front yard, framed by manicured hedges.
The use of decorative pedestals dates back thousands of years to the ancient Greeks, who used bronze and marble versions to display statues of their gods. But despite their storied origin and status as a decorator favorite, pedestals are often overlooked as a design element in the home. Well, we’re here to change that. Thanks to their variety of shapes, materials, and heights, pedestals can perform a number of decorative functions, from livening up a vacant corner to framing a room’s focal point to elevating a display. Read on to get inspired and see why these pillars of design stand on their own.
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An oversize bust of George Washington sits atop a Greek-style column, bringing a grand neoclassical air to this handsome space. Photo by Pernille Loof.
In this gallery-style corner, a simple metal pedestal allows a figurative sculpture to take the spotlight. Photo by Lesley Unruh.
A wooden sculpture stand topped with a classic plaster bust gets a cheeky update in the form of a wide-brimmed hat. Photo by Nicole LaMotte.
A pair of classical busts, supported by pedestals, add architectural charm to a well-manicured front lawn. Photo by Nicole LaMotte.
Playful meets polished in this quirky bust-and-pedestal duo, which features a metal sculpture embellished with colorful shells resting atop a sleek black base. Photo by Lesley Unruh.
A pedestal and a glass hurricane add interest to a small vacant nook. Photo by Joe Schmelzer.
A four-legged sculpture on a glossy black pedestal livens up an unused corner of an open hall. Photo by Nicole Lamotte.
Framing a living room fireplace, lacquered Ming-style side tables support a pair of oversize gourd lamps. Photo by Lesley Unruh.
Topped with a potted plant, a bamboo stand helps bring the outdoors in. Photo by Lesley Unruh.
A pair of marbleized pedestals topped with plants in neoclassical urns frame a sofa in perfect symmetry. Photo by Frank Tribble.
Pedestals in a mix of heights and materials elevate a plant display in a classic sunroom. Photo by Tony Vu.
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