Simple Terrarium Ideas: 3 DIY Ways to Style a Terrarium

Using some fabulous terrariums from Darice, I’m going to share three simple terrarium ideas for your home – that don’t use living plants! While I love me some houseplants, sometimes it’s nice to have one less thing to water.

Terrariums are a very trendy item in home decor these days. You can see them sitting in carefully curated vignettes or atop mantels. Sometimes terrariums hold delicate tropical plants and are a way of showing your decadently green thumb.

But other times, these beautiful miniature glass houses are simply a way to show off some of your most precious little curios. Or you can use faux-plants. That way, nothing will wither up and die should your thumb be a more decided shade of brown.

These two terrariums are probably my most favorite from the Darice line.

Simple Terrarium Supplies:

Darice Gem-Shaped Geo Glass Terrarium
Darice Cube-Shaped Geo Glass Terrarium
Floral Moss

From there, you will add your decor of choice!

I like to start with this blank canvas of moss in the terrarium, because the moss acts as nest for whatever I objects I place inside. It also provides a very “springy” feel to the terrarium.

Styling Tip #1 – Highlight the Season!

These feathered eggs are a perfect contrast to the green moss. I shared the tutorial for making these simple feather DIY Easter eggs on the Darice blog last month. Since then, they’ve found a new home in my terrariums.

Using a terrarium as a way to highlight the season makes for subtle, but festive, decor. The moss also makes for a cozy “nest” feeling. The addition of natural decor, such as stones, sticks, twigs, pine cones, etc, adds a more organic feeling.

Styling Tip #2 – Go Faux!

I love faux succulents. Yes, I also love the real deal, but faux succulents are so nice when you’re trying to put a green feeling into rooms that don’t usually house indoor plants. If you’re trying to add a little bit of spring to your bedroom desk or your bathroom counter, a terrarium of faux succulents is a fantastic and low maintenance way to achieve that.

Darice’s collection of faux succulents are some of the best I’ve seen. They’ve fooled many guests, and are easy to clean and re-use in various arrangements.

The cube-shaped simple terrarium is the perfect size for one proud succulent. Stage them in a trio on a mantel or as a centerpiece!

Styling Tip #3 – Go a little bit glam!

We typically associate terrariums with more natural, plucked-from-the-earth types of adornments. But sometimes, it’s nice to add a little bit of the unexpected glam to your decor.

Using strands of David Tutera’s pearl garland, some marbles and crystals, as well as a reproduction of a cameo, I decided to go against the grain and create a prettier vignette.

Does it make you want to put a teensy little fairy in there? I can’t decide… would that be adorable or just too much?

But either or, it’s a more glamorous way to dress up these fabulous little glass houses. I imagine this pair would be perfect sitting atop a dressing table, or a desk in an office.