Handmade home décor: a buying guide

A handmade bowl, basket or throw gives a room something mass-produced décor rarely does: small marks of the person who made it. Here is what to check before you buy, piece by piece.

Before you start: measure

Measure the shelf, wall or floor space first, and compare it with the sizes in the listing. Photos can make things look bigger or smaller than they are. If the listing doesn't give measurements, ask the maker.

Ceramics

• Decorative or for use? If you plan to eat or drink from a piece, ask the maker whether it is made and glazed for food use, and whether it is safe in the dishwasher, microwave or oven. Don't assume.
• Expect variation. Glazes on handmade pottery can vary from piece to piece and from the photo. A good maker says so in the listing.
• Moulded or hand-formed? Both can be made by a skilled potter. Our guide How to tell if something is really handmade explains how to spot a moulded piece, so you know what to ask.

Baskets and woven goods

• Ask about the material. Rattan, willow, seagrass and raffia all look and wear differently.
• Ask about use. Can it hold weight, sit outdoors, or be cleaned with water? The maker will know.

Rugs, throws and textiles

• Fibre and care: ask what it's made of and how to clean it. Some handmade textiles need hand washing or professional cleaning.
• Colour: natural and hand dyes can vary between batches and look different on screens. Ask for an extra photo in daylight if colour matters.
• Rugs: ask about size, thickness and whether a rug pad is recommended for your floor.

Wood

• Finish: ask whether the piece is oiled, waxed or varnished, and how to care for it.
• Movement: wood is a natural material. Ask whether the piece should be kept away from heat, damp or direct sun.

Ask the maker

The questions above are exactly what makers like to answer. If you want a different size, colour or finish, ask whether they can make it to order, and agree the details and timing in writing before you pay.

Handmade for the home on Velor now

Handmade Mini Jute Box – Natural Rustic Storage & Gift BoxBy Crochet queen, Egypt$45.00GARZA THROWBy Estancia Mendoza Deco Wool, Uruguay$155.00Soldier Flower — Handmade Oak & Resin KeychainBy LWS Forge, Latvia€76.00Festive Penguin Holiday Ornaments, Set of 3By Melange Collection, United States$45.00Backrooms Level 601 Infinity Mirror Decor,Desk Decor Night Light,Miniature Figurine Display CaseBy ZeonMoments, Hong Kong$105.99Handmade Mini Black White Checkered Coffee BagBy QU'S Artisan Atelier, China£29.00Hand-Dyed Blue Table Runner,For keep the table tidy,Lotus Zen Table Cover, Rustic Farmhouse Dining Decor,Housewarming Gift,Gift for herBy Ceralo Studio, China¥669.27Custom Christmas Photo Gift Plaque, 3 Theme Base Options, One-on-one Manual Design, Luxury Photo Keepsake, Ready for Gifting with Gift BoxBy Fanven Photo Studio, China£69.90

See all handmade home décor →

How buying on Velor works

• Every item is sold by the maker who made it. Each listing shows who made it and where.
• Velor is handmade only. Our seller rules don't allow factory-made goods, dropshipping or AI images passed off as real work.
• Your payment is held until delivery is confirmed, then released to the maker.
• Returns: you can request a return within 15 days of confirmed delivery. Faulty, damaged or not-as-described items are always covered. See our returns policy for the details.

Make things for the home by hand? Apply to sell on Velor at velorhandmade.com/sell.