Decorative Corbels & Appliques

Decorative corbels and appliques are key architectural and design elements that add character, elegance, and functionality to various spaces. Whether you’re restoring a historical property, enhancing a modern home, or crafting bespoke furniture, these design features provide a versatile way to elevate aesthetics. This article explores their history, types, uses, and tips for incorporating them into your projects.

What Are Corbels and Appliques?

• Corbels: Traditionally, corbels are structural brackets projecting from walls or columns, often used to support beams, shelves, or countertops. Today, decorative corbels are more about adding a touch of artistry to architecture, with intricate designs and materials ranging from wood and stone to resin and metal.
• Appliques: These are ornamental pieces designed to be affixed to flat surfaces. Unlike corbels, appliques are purely decorative and are commonly used on walls, ceilings, furniture, and cabinetry. They are crafted in various materials, including wood, polyurethane, and plaster.

Historical Significance

The use of corbels dates back to ancient civilizations, where they served both structural and decorative purposes. In medieval and Gothic architecture, they were elaborately carved, often depicting faces, animals, or floral motifs. Appliques gained prominence during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, adorning furniture and walls with intricate designs that showcased craftsmanship and opulence.

Materials and Styles

Corbels

1. Wooden Corbels:
   • Ideal for traditional and rustic designs.
   • Common woods: oak, cherry, mahogany.
   • Popular for fireplace mantels, kitchen islands, and cabinetry.
2. Stone Corbels:
   • Often used in exteriors or classic interiors.
   • Materials: marble, limestone, or granite.
   • Known for durability and timeless elegance.
3. Polyurethane Corbels:
   • Lightweight, affordable, and easy to install.
   • Perfect for faux designs and modern spaces.

Appliques

1. Wood Appliques:
   • Best for furniture and cabinetry.
   • Offers a handcrafted, authentic look.
2. Resin and Polyurethane Appliques:
   • Affordable, durable, and suitable for intricate designs.
   • Resistant to moisture, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
3. Plaster Appliques:
   • Common in ceiling medallions and wall designs.
   • Typically used for high-end interior detailing.

Applications

In Architecture:

• Corbels can accentuate doorways, windows, and arches.
• Appliques enhance wall panels, ceilings, and moldings.

In Furniture Design:

• Corbels support shelving and add decorative flair to desks, tables, and kitchen islands.
• Appliques transform plain furniture into statement pieces with intricate detailing.

In Interior Design:

• Use corbels as standalone decorative elements, such as bookends or mantle adornments.
• Appliques bring walls and ceilings to life with patterns and textures.

In DIY Projects:

• Repurpose corbels as brackets for hanging plants or light fixtures.
• Use appliques to revamp old furniture or create custom headboards.

Tips for Choosing and Using Corbels & Appliques

1. Match the Style: Ensure the design aligns with the architectural theme of your space. For instance, ornate corbels suit Victorian or Baroque interiors, while sleek designs complement modern settings.
2. Scale Appropriately: Choose sizes proportional to the space or furniture they will adorn. Oversized corbels or appliques can overwhelm small spaces, while undersized ones may get lost in larger areas.
3. Focus on Quality: Invest in high-quality materials that match the intended use. For outdoor settings, opt for weather-resistant materials like stone or polyurethane.
4. Consider Placement: Plan the positioning carefully to achieve symmetry and balance. For example, place corbels evenly under a mantle or shelf, and arrange appliques in cohesive patterns.
5. Finish Smartly: Enhance the look with paint, stain, or finishes that complement your décor. White finishes offer a classic touch, while natural wood or metallic tones create warmth and richness.

Decorative Corbels and Appliques Accessories

Decorative corbels and appliques are timeless elements that blend functionality with artistry. By understanding their types, materials, and applications, you can unlock their potential to transform spaces into works of art. Whether you’re a homeowner, designer, or DIY enthusiast, these details can make a significant impact on the aesthetic and value of your projects.

Decorative Corbel Models and Prices

A decorative corbel is an excellent addition to every household. It can reshape the room and add more value by uplifting the atmosphere. You can even simply add a few simple decorative corbels into suitable positions in your room and completely change the energy of that space. 

Even though wall corbels are simple and practical items of decoration, choosing the correct ones is not that easy. Since the corbel decor drastically changes the room’s atmosphere, you must be very picky when choosing the suitable one. 

Every kind of corbel, including wooden corbels, is designed to hold any materials or shelves that you want. You can improve the looks of your bookshelf with two decorative corbels, or you can transform a blank wall into a stylish bookshelf with a few simple steps. These valuable additions can also be used without attaching shelves or such. Decorative wall corbels also look good when they are used as a standalone decoration object.  

The design and style of decorative wood corbels must be chosen correctly according to your home’s pieces of furniture, interior design, and color palette. For instance, if you are not using classical furniture, you may need to choose more simple corbel designs without any intense details. Although these simple corbel designs can improve the mood of your room, you may also use these as a contemporary bookshelf or a shelf that you can put your collectibles on it. If you have a classical-looking room, you can also use carved wood corbels which are more classical and goes well with the classical pieces of furniture. No matter where you will use your wooden shelf corbels, you can be sure that you will find the best products with the House of Cabinet!

Where Can You Use Decorative Corbels? 

Decorative corbels are almost usable in every single room in your household. Thanks to the different designs and their unique nature, you can use those on your walls as a holder or use them as a standalone decoration objects. 

Decorative corbels can be used in the following rooms; 

• Living room
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Anywhere with windows or similar architectural objects

If you have any focal points in your rooms, you may consider placing a wooden decorative corbel there so that you can utilize the space as a showcase for an artwork-like design. Even a standalone decorative corbel can be used as a decorative object. Especially if you have a carved wooden corbel, its unique craftsmanship can mesmerize your visitors. 

Like the corbel’s wide usability, you can also find different designs, shapes, and colors when decorating your home. These unique color options will be your best helper while redecorating your home. It doesn’t matter if you are going to use your decorative wall corbel in your bedroom or dining room; you can be sure the comprehensive catalog of the House of Cabinet will provide the correct one with the highest quality just as you deserve! 

You may also use the decorative corbels in exterior areas such as your garden or garage. Exterior decorative corbels are also suitable for adding more value to your home. Especially if you plan to renew your garden, you can add a few pieces of exterior corbels to your walls and use them as a stylish storage unit, or you can use them alone for decorative purposes only. 

Decorative Corbels are Made from Different Materials

Decorative corbels can be made from different materials, such as wood and plastic. According to your tastes, you can find the best product that suits well to your home. 

If you are on a tight budget and get done with the renovation of your home without spending a fortune, you may consider adding moldings and decorative wall corbels in your room. These unique decorative items can uplift the room without making massive changes. Besides, you can install a corbel on your wall at a low cost. 

Cheap decorative corbels are usually made of plastic or materials like them. However, thanks to the nature of this product, you can apply a coat of paint to it to make it look better. Even though it is plastic, it can be designed to look like a wooden decorative corbel. 

Wooden decorative corbels are one of the most popular choices when it comes to wall corbels. The wooden ones with carvings are usually used in rooms with classical types of furniture. For more modern and contemporary rooms, you can use less carved wooden decorative corbels with lighter colors like cream, white and beige. 

Decorative Corbels Increases Value of Your Home

Decorative corbels, like wooden shelf corbels, can be a great addition to your home for functionality and decoration. When you are using the right corbel, you can uplift the energy of the room without changing so much. 

These units can be used as bookshelves or regular shelves to show your collectibles, vases, or picture frames. When you choose the right product for your home, you can be sure it will drastically increase your home’s value!

Decorative corbels can also be used in your kitchen. You can place a durable, wooden corbel on the wall and use it as a shelf. If you are bored with the regular-shaped shelves, you can consider changing those with the carved wood corbels. 

Fireplaces are also trendy locations where you can use decorative corbels. Since the fireplace is one of the first places that catch the looks, you may want to get the best out of it with the correct decorative placements. Carved wood corbels are very good at covering your fireplace and adding extra value. Especially if you are into classical looks, you can choose from options such as Victorian corbels and more!

If you are looking for an item to add value to your home without changing so much or without spending a fortune on it, you are at the right place! Decorative corbels combined with moldings can transform any room into an artwork. Besides, it is good to improve your home value; it is also suitable for storing items, books, vases, and more. The House of Cabinet’s top-notch craftsmanship and the best products are only one click away from your order!