topic Re: Decorating with Maps? in Home

Decorating with Maps?

wilma — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:17:13 GMT

I’m still undecided about this. I kind of like of it, but it also reminds me a bit of school rooms. I think it works in some settings - dining rooms, family rooms, offices. I’m not sure about living rooms. I would definitely not want maps in my bedrooms.

What do you think? Here are a few examples.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

Shelbelle — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:19:59 GMT

I think it is fine for a home office or den or basement, especially if the maps are of interest to you, my DH was a geography teacher so definitely his thing. He has some hanging in his home office.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

kaydee50 — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:21:16 GMT

No, to all of them. We do have a world map that we use push pins on to highlight the places we've been around the world displayed in a prominent place,

Re: Decorating with Maps?

Witchy Woman — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:25:18 GMT

@wilma

I enjoy maps in decor, but only those limited to areas of interest to me...not just maps in general.

As an example, in our back entrance hall, I found wallpaper that was a copy of an antique map of Maryland, Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay area. We coupled it with some coordinating trim and a stripe below. It is one of my favorite areas of our home, even thought it is a back halway.

We also have several prints of skipjacks and the Arc and Dove....all unique to Maryland.

I have a few other smaller map prints around my home, but they are accent pieces.

We also have a few lighthouses of the Bay area, even though our interior is Victorian, not nautical.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

Oznell — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:28:19 GMT

Done well, it's a rarefied and "old school" look. I've always LOVED geography and maps, the "well-traveled" look. Love vintage maps in old frames. The only one I have is an antique map of southern Ontario, Canada (which ironically, I got in an antique store in New Orleans).

I had it framed and matted, and it looks great. I haven't had it up for a while-- there's a spot in my living room where I hang a moody fall tree landscape, and I alternate that with the framed map. The sepia tones look good against robin's egg walls.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

World Traveler — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:30:30 GMT

Thanks for posting. I love it! Would work very well with my interests.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

Still Raining — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:30:56 GMT

There used to be a wonderful shop in London that just did maps, all maps all the time. My dad's credit card obviously had a larger limit and we used to stop by.

The most favorite gift of all time is a small, colored map of the Middle East from the 1500s.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:35:54 GMT

I like them in a library room in the house, I think they make it cozy and comfy. Add a couple of globes.

Of the pictures I like the first one best.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

godi — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:39:04 GMT

The maps go in these rooms. They look ok. For me no.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

jeanlake — Thu, 14 May 2020 15:56:30 GMT

I'm a map nerd, but the living room feels a bit sterile with the maps. Will say -- we rented a VRBO house with creative, framed maps of the area posted in entryway. Loved it -- very helpful for visitors. But in living spaces -- no living rooms.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

on the bay — Thu, 14 May 2020 16:09:14 GMT

My mother always had a map of the US available that I remember so I have always loved to see all the states and where they are.

I like a map that means something to me, a favorite place that I know and love, not just random old maps as a decoration, and that have no meaning to me. That makes me feel lonely and old

Re: Decorating with Maps?

hopi — Thu, 14 May 2020 16:11:04 GMT

No looks like business office, global corporation, ect, very ice cold.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

LindaSal — Thu, 14 May 2020 16:54:03 GMT

I like it. I think framed maps can be a nice edition to any decor. I would enjoy something local to me of course, they seem to have a certain character. I have a jigsaw puzzle on order of the US National parks. My adult kids are big puzzle makers, they call it their "therapy". They will make it for me and I will buy a frame for it. Most likely will hang in the den for our enjoyment. Me and hubby have visited many of the National parks and having been to many places in the world, some of these parks were our best vacations.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

Dinaki — Thu, 14 May 2020 16:57:28 GMT

...and that store in London is still there Still Raining. It's in Covent Garden!

Re: Decorating with Maps?

ECBG — Thu, 14 May 2020 17:07:47 GMT

The rooms are done fery well. I'm just not fond of maps.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

DREAMON — Thu, 14 May 2020 17:48:05 GMT

I like all of the rooms. I am drawn to maps and globes. I have both in my home.

We have a framed map of the world that is about 60 years old. My globe is the one my parents bought me when I was in 3rd grade...just a few years ago

Re: Decorating with Maps?

GingerPeach — Thu, 14 May 2020 19:06:33 GMT

It all depends on the individual and/or family.

I majored in geography in college, so always have a soft spot for maps. On the other hand, I don't have a globe or a wall map at home. I used to have a wall map of the world in my office when I was working. But that was because we represented clients from all around the world and I actually used it.

I do think the photos you chose are attractive examples of what is possible, @wilma.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

dulwich — Thu, 14 May 2020 19:49:40 GMT

I kind of like them - especially ones in picture #1.

We have a very large bathroom with corner spa tub and I can see some maps on one of the walls being great to peruse while soaking I would like that. Thinking I might give it a try.

Thankyou for idea.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

shoptilyadropagain — Thu, 14 May 2020 20:00:15 GMT

I like this concept but only for a library, den, office, etc. I think it looks out of place in a dining room as pictured above. Also, if you've ever seen Flea Market Flip on HGTV, they will sometimes use maps on small table tops, entryway tables, etc.

Re: Decorating with Maps?

wildcat fan — Thu, 14 May 2020 20:01:42 GMT

I think it's a neat idea for people who travel or for a play room. When my son was younger, I had some framed for his play room and we'd play games with the maps. I'd give him a dry/erase marker and tell him to circle a country east of ________ or put an "x" on ________. So many wonderful memories and it really helped him learn geography.

Now those maps are in my classroom. When we read about characters and places, we put a sticky note on the setting locations. It's surprising how many students can't locate various places around the world. Name a country and many can't even say which continent it's on. So, I vote yes for decorating with maps, especially if there are youngs ones at home.