Bicycle-Inspired Decor to Make Your Heart Race
At our house July means watching the Tour de France. We do follow
other races throughout the year, but this is the pinnacle event.
Admittedly the race, starting July 5
this year, has gone through more than its share of scandals and
problems over its 100-plus years, but there’s something about watching
the race unfold over three weeks that captivates us every time.
And if you love the sport, why not include it when decorating your home? There are a surprising number of options out there.
And if you love the sport, why not include it when decorating your home? There are a surprising number of options out there.
This room was designed to please a
cycling fan, from the vintage posters over the bed and the painting
over the desk to the display of wheels on the wall. But if you want
something a little subtler, there are other options.
Start with the essentials. The
first television broadcast of each day’s stage can begin early in the
morning, so a bicycle alarm clock will ensure that you don’t miss a
minute of Phil Liggett’s and Paul Sherwen’s commentary. The
bicycle-inspired photos over the bed are a bonus.
Perch a decorative bicycle next to the television to pay homage to the riders.
Switch out the shower curtain during July.
Or add a bicycle pillow or two to your bed or couch.
You can always graduate to something a little more permanent. This weather vane subtly declares that a cycling fan lives here.
Bicycle-themed artwork can fit
with almost any style. This piece adds a nature-inspired touch to a
contemporary space, but it would look equally at home in a more
traditional setting.
This large-scale graphic piece looks like it was made to order to fit in with the sectional …
… while this bright and breezy beach-bike representation adds just the right touch to a sunny mudroom.
You might prefer something a little more free-form, like this commissioned artwork.
Then again, seeing a mural like this every day might inspire you to get out on your own bike.
Build a bicycle side table …
… add a chair covered in bicycle-patterned fabric to your family room …
… or simply hang a bike (spray painted or not) on a wall.
Yellow chairs, the same bright shade as the maillot jaune, plus a gold bike are the perfect Tour de France homage.
There’s no need to use an entire bike to have a bicycle theme. It turns out that handlebars make great coatracks.
But if you’re going to use bicycle parts, wheels may be the most versatile. They can serve as legs on a coffee table …
… or as bases for stools. Pedals make for handy footrests.
If you’ve got a spare wheel, use it as a design element in an otherwise overlooked space.
Wheels are round, so it makes sense that one would also make a good clock face.
The spokes can double as spots for displaying photos and souvenirs, maybe from a bike tour you’ve done.
