For those who have obsessed over, or at least appreciated, The Lord of the Rings and/or The Hobbit films, books, games, etc., over the years, don’t you wish your home had the quaintness of the hobbit homes in the Shire? Some of the most popular decor styles these days make use of simplicity, and how much simpler can you get than reverting to the ways of hobbits like the Baggins or even the Gamgees?
The visualization of hobbit holes was done beautifully by filmmakers and the novels’ illustrators, but unfortunately for those who might like to live in Middle Earth, the replication of these fictional abodes seems nearly impossible—not to mention the steep cost of traveling to New Zealand in the pursuit of Tolkien-esque authenticity. Lucky for you, we’ve detailed out a quick and affordable guide to transforming your living quarters into the cozy homes in the Shire
As mentioned earlier, hobbits are known for keeping a simple and unpretentious style, relying less on what might be seen as artistic or stylistic. Instead, items found within a hobbit household are inherently practical and are meant to be used a lot. Hobbits aren’t wasteful and would never buy furniture you couldn’t live in or dishware you couldn’t eat or cook with. Therefore, all the tips and decorating examples below reflect these lifestyle choices. While many of these tips utilize practical household items within a room, hobbits’ homes are intimate and personal spaces and will therefore reflect a personal touch.
Furniture
Whether it’s that leather or suede armchair that feels like one big hug, or that couch with the cushions that are the perfect balance of comfort and firmness, hobbits have a proclivity to decorate with pieces of furniture that that practically scream “sit on me!” Armchairs, couches, ottomans—practical yet comfortable furniture—in warm colors like browns, reds and greens should be incorporated into your makeshift Shire. For accent pieces, use those made from recognizable materials, mainly wood or stone.
Rugs/Fabrics
These larger furniture pieces pair well with materials that cover hard surfaces and insulate a home—mainly fabrics like rugs, curtains, blankets and towels. Again things like these should be kept simple with subtle textures and patterns, but in brighter colors. This helps to let in sunlight and make things in the room to appear lighter. Hobbits did this to make it feel less like they were living underground, but hopefully that’s not the case with our darling readers. With these items it’s also okay to be adventurous and play around a bit with patterns and different colors. Just as long as they aren’t too harsh or oppose the styles of the furniture.
Endless Amounts of Dishware (and Ways to Store/House Them)
One of the most important things about being a hobbit is eating. Hobbits don’t eat a lot because they need to, but because they love it. Getting together with friends for second breakfast, elevenses, afternoon tea or supper are some of the high points of the day. And while we mere humans might not have seven meals a day, there’s no harm in appreciating the dishware used in eating food. That being said, a proper hobbit kitchen isn’t complete until it’s filled with all kinds of kitchenware, such as plates, bowls, mugs, glasses and any cutlery you desire. It’s not enough to just own these things, however. Be proud of your dishes, no matter how plain or how decorated they are. A more fun way to display your kitchenware is to use a mug rack or hooks.
Gardening and Florals
Hobbit holes, as one knows, are homes cut into small hills, meaning that most of these homes are surrounded by earth and gardens. If you’re already a gardener, you’re well on your way to transforming your home into a cozy Shire home. If your thumb isn’t exactly green, there are other ways of faking your gardening expertise. Flower boxes are easy ways to keep small annual flowers, ones you can pick up at local nurseries or in stores like Home Depot or Lowes. Along with these you can also try hanging baskets, both for indoor and outdoor uses but preferably for outdoor.
In terms of indoor flora, a hobbit home is incomplete without flower vases. It doesn’t matter the kind of vase, just as long as they are kept clean and filled with fresh-cut flowers. If you have bad allergies or can’t have real flowers in the house, sometimes floral accents, such as framed pictures or even printed pillows can help bring more life to your home.
Candles and Light Fixtures
As a hobbit, you can (almost) never have too many candles. Whether or not you light all of them is up to you, but alternative light sources separate from the switch on the wall will make a space feel more earthy and awake. Ornate candleholders can say a lot about your personal style so pick a shape and design that appeals to you, whether they’re big and tall candlesticks or tiny little votives. If open flames or melted wax isn’t your thing, experimenting with fairy lights can work in certain rooms—but for the most part rely on sturdy fixtures, like small chandeliers or table lamps.
Bookshelves
Nothing makes a house feel more like a home than filling it with beloved books—especially for hobbits who would much rather curl up with an adventure story in one hand and a pipe of Old Toby in the other. The best way to house these books is with bookshelves and bookcases, against walls and other places out of the way of common foot traffic, but not so far away that they’re hard to access!
Accessories/Chachkies
Finally, no hobbit hole is complete without at least a few knickknacks lying around in all areas of the house. These could be trinkets or souvenirs you’ve picked up along an unexpected journey, or maybe they’re just trinkets found at a local flea market. Any objects that make your house feel more unique to your passions and what you love should be on display. For those especially passionate about Tolkien memorabilia, here are some knickknacks you might like.
