Choose the right material
Material does more than anything else to make a skull look like year-round decor. Pieces that work well include:
- Matte white ceramic or plaster, which reads as sculpture and suits almost any room.
- Clear or smoked glass, which catches light on a windowsill.
- Brass, bronze or iron, good for bookends and desks.
- Carved wood or stone, warm and natural next to plants.
- High-quality resin replicas of animal skulls, which give a natural history look without legal or hygiene questions.
Shiny plastic and glow-in-the-dark finishes tend to look seasonal, so save those for October.
Ideas by room
Living room
- A single skull on a stack of art books on the coffee table.
- A pair of skull bookends holding a row of old hardbacks.
- A framed print of a vanitas painting.
Study or desk
- A small skull as a memento mori, in the old scholar's tradition.
- A brass skull paperweight.
- A skull sketch of your own, pinned above the desk.
Plants and windowsills
- A ceramic skull planter with a small succulent or trailing plant.
- A glass skull next to a cluster of small potted herbs.
- A replica animal skull among stones and dried grasses.
Shelves
- A curio shelf with shells, minerals, old keys and one skull.
- A still life of skull, candle holder, dried flower and old book.
- A small series of skulls in one material, lined up by size.
Styling tips
- Limit the number. One to three skulls in a room keeps the look curated.
- Pair with natural textures. Wood, linen, stone, dried flowers and plants soften the image.
- Give it space. A skull on a cluttered shelf disappears; with room around it, it becomes a focal point.
- Light it well. A lamp from one side throws shadow into the sockets and shows off the shape.
- Think about guests. Some people find skulls upsetting, especially after a recent loss. A study or personal shelf may suit better than a dining table.
Real skulls: check before you keep one
Real animal skulls appeal to many collectors, but they come with rules. In the United States, for example, federal law protects most native wild birds, including their feathers, nests and bones, and many states regulate parts of other wildlife. Other countries have their own laws, and international trade in parts of many protected species is restricted. Human remains are a separate matter, and buying or selling them is restricted or banned in many places.
Before you pick up, buy or keep a natural specimen, check the current rules with your national and state or provincial wildlife agency, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and your state wildlife department in the United States. Rules change and differ by species, so a general guide like this one cannot tell you whether a particular item is legal.
A good replica avoids all of these questions. Resin and ceramic replicas are easy to clean, safe around pets and children, and look convincing on a shelf.
Care and cleaning
Dust ceramic, glass and resin pieces with a soft dry brush or cloth. For deeper cleaning, follow the maker's instructions, since some finishes do not like water. Keep metal pieces dry and away from damp windowsills. If a piece is painted, test any cleaner on the base first.