7 Subtle Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas (2024)

7 Subtle Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas for Vignettes & Tabletops. Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas So Quick and Easy That You Can Create All Seven In Under An Hour!

Hello Friends!

Are you looking for subtle ways to decorate for Valentine’s Day…with decor that works with your home decor color scheme…doesn’t shout Valentine’s Day but still has a nod towards this day of love…AND…that you can leave out all winter season long?

I’ve gotcha covered!

Today, I’m sharing 7 subtle Valentine’s Day decorating ideas that do just that! These ideas are also quick and easy so most can be accomplished in under 10 minutes! And, you probably already have most items on hand!

Subtle Valentine’s Day Breakfast Nook Tablescape

This is a Valentine’s Day tablescape that I created a few years ago and remains to be one of my favorites. The goal for this tablescape was to create something that would: (1) have a slight nod towards Valentine’s Day while working with my current home decor color scheme; (2) to use items I already had on hand; and (3) to be something I could leave out throughout winter.

Fortunately, I was able to accomplish these goals.

Valentine’s Day Tablescape Centerpiece Details:

1. 1. I used a macrame table runner as the base of the centerpiece. It added great texture and was a soft neutral base to build upon.
   2. Next, I added a silver mercury glass compote bowl filled with snow-kissed pinecones, a few cypress leaves, and a marble shaped heart stamped with “love”.
   3. To finish off the centerpiece, I simply added four candlesticks with ivory colored candles, Ficus leaves, a few scattered pinecones, and a rustic floral bouquet of blush pink roses, Ficus leaf stems and fern leaf stems.
   4. To compliment the rustic elegant centerpiece, I kept the table place settings simple with faux cypress placemats, wood sliced plate chargers, and white dinner plates.

Kitchen Sideboard Valentine’s Day Vignette

This small vignette, on top of a sideboard adjacent to my kitchen, started off as a winter decor vignette of filled apothecary jars. A quick addition of blush pink roses and some faux greenery gives it a subtle Valentine’s Day touch.

The items inside each apothecary jar are items I had on hand.

• The large jar has faux snow and pinecones.
• The medium jar is full of wine corks that a local wine bar gave me. This jar made my kids crack up because we very rarely – as in once every 5 years, maybe – drink wine, lol. (Quick side note…I used to design and decorate luxury model homes for a number of years, so I have some odds and ends decorative items left over. Hence, the wine corks.)
• The small jar is full of acorns gathered from my yard.

Designer Tip: Apothecary jars are one of those chameleon accessory pieces because they can be used in various ways – with food, small decorative objects, vase filler materials, and more.

See how I used smaller apothecary jars a couple of years ago for Valentine’s Day candy here. You can also see more apothecary jar ideas here and here.

Kitchen Island Valentine’s Day Tray Decor

Some years, I keep Valentine’s Day decorations super simple and the only place that gets any kind of love is my kitchen island. I keep this long handled tray on my island year round, so it’s easy to add a few decorative touches and flowers.

For this particular Valentine’s, I create a floral bouquet with grocery store flowers and various stems. Next, I added this adorable cherub (that I’ve had for years), a candle that I wrapped with blush pink ribbon, the “Love” sculptural piece, and a handmade bead heart.

Subtle Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas for Dining Room Sideboard

Our dining room sideboard is one of my favorite pieces in our home and holds a lot of sentimental value to me, as my husband built this over twenty years ago. It’s also one of my favorite things to decorate for any season or holiday.

I kept the Valentine’s Day decorations very subtle in here. Can you spot them? I’ll give you some hints…

1. 1. There’s a photo on the bottom shelf of a bride and groom. This February 15th marks our 32nd wedding anniversary!
   2. On the middle shelf, I have a stack of unbound books wrapped with twine and topped with a simple blush pink rose.
   3. The top shelf has a simple words of affirmation sign.

You can see other ways I’ve styled our dining room sideboard here, here, and here. By the way, when you look at the photos linked you’ll notice that the sideboard has been refinished with new paint and stain finishes, courtesy of my sweet husband.

Subtle Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas for Living Room Coffee Table & Bookcase

I love the many uses of pretty decorative trays, and strongly feel that everyone should have a small collection of various shapes and sizes. I particularly love using them on my coffee table, as they help corral all the items and it makes dusting easier since you can pick up everything at once.

This Valentine’s Day coffee table vignette took me under 10 minutes to create. Here’s how I created it:

1. 1. I used two decorative trays as the base. One of the trays is a woven hyacinth material and the other is wood with a stain and silver leaf finish.
   2. Next, I added a faux eucalyptus leaf wreath in the center of the wooden tray for a nice touch of nature.
   3. In the center of the tray, I placed my silver mercury glass compote bowl. I love the many uses of this decorative item too!
   4. Inside the compote bowl is old, rolled up unbound books that are tied with twine, along with a pair of turtle doves (symbolic of love and affection), and a wood bead garland that I have partly draped over the sides of the bowl.
   5. Lastly, I placed this “Love” mirrored tray on its side on top of the eucalyptus wreath and leaning on the compote bowl.

For our living room bookcase, I kept the Valentine’s Day decorations sweet and subtle, but meaningful. The adorable cherub on the upper right and the bronze angel wing on the middle left symbolize purity, courage, love, and protection.

I also added an darling antique white milk glass vase with two blush pink rose buds and a simple white wood bead garland with a heart on the end. And of course, all of the family photos are my loves everyday!

Want to see other ways I’ve decorated our living room bookcases? Yay!!! You can see those hereand here.

Quick & Easy Valentine’s Day Tabletop Vignette

Our entry chest always receives a little seasonal decor too! All that was needed for Valentine’s Day touch here was a winter floral arrangement and a few sculptural hearts and viola! I love a quick 5 minute decorating project, don’t you?

This Year’s Valentine’s Day Decor is Coming Soon!!!

Check back next week for this year’s Valentine’s Day decor.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!