Home Décor Inventory Guide for Insurance Claims and Policy Coverage
Home décor plays a major role in personalizing and enhancing the ambiance of your living space. From fabric décor and fireplace accessories to decorative baskets and plants, these items range from purely functional to highly aesthetic pieces that can add significant value to your home.
While home décor may not always be the most expensive part of your household inventory, these items can add up quickly in terms of replacement cost. Proper documentation is essential for ensuring these décor items are covered in your insurance policy in case of damage, theft, or loss.
What is Insurable Home Décor?
Home décor encompasses the furnishings and accessories that enhance the interior design of your home. These items can range from functional to purely decorative, and while they may not always hold high monetary value individually, their collective worth can be substantial. Many home décor items also have sentimental or design importance, especially if they are custom-made or uniquely styled.
Importance of Appraisals for Home Décor
While most home décor items do not typically require formal appraisals like fine art or antiques, custom or high-end pieces may necessitate an Appraisal for proper insurance coverage. For mass-produced items, detailed documentation with photographs and receipts should suffice, but any custom-designed or premium materials (such as rare fabrics or unique fireplace accessories) may require appraisal for accurate valuation.
Depreciation and Home Décor
Virtually all home décor items depreciate over time, especially mass-produced pieces. Of course standard homeowners’ policies often provide some coverage for home décor, but for valuable or custom-made pieces, it’s essential to ensure they are adequately insured through a specialized rider or policy Endorsement.
Ensuring Proper Insurance Coverage for Home Décor
Riders for High-End Décor: If you have custom or high-end décor, consider adding a rider to your insurance policy. This ensures these items are covered for their full value in the event of a Claim.
Detailed Documentation: Keep a detailed inventory of your home décor, including photographs, purchase receipts, and descriptions. This will help streamline any claims process and ensure proper reimbursement.
Replacement Value Coverage: Make sure your insurance policy covers décor items at replacement value, rather than actual cash value (which accounts for depreciation). This ensures that if your items are damaged or destroyed, you can replace them at their current market price.
Regular Updates: Regularly update your inventory, especially if you add new items or upgrade existing pieces. This ensures your insurance coverage remains accurate and comprehensive.
Quick List of Home Décor by Category
Here’s a categorized inventory guide for various types of home décor, helping you document and manage your collection for insurance purposes.
Baskets & Hampers
Baskets and hampers serve both functional and decorative roles in the home. Many are designed to complement various interior styles, and some high-end or custom baskets can be valuable.
Wicker storage baskets
Handwoven seagrass baskets
Wire baskets with fabric lining
Bamboo laundry hampers
Leather storage baskets
Nesting baskets (wood or fabric)
Lidded hampers (wood, fabric, or wicker)
Rope baskets (cotton or jute)
Decorative metal baskets
Fabric collapsible storage bins
Wall-mounted baskets
Rustic farmhouse-style baskets
Canvas storage bins with handles
Antique-style wire baskets
Felt baskets for organizing small items
Décor
Décor items are integral to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a home. While many are affordable, certain custom-made or high-end décor items may hold significant value.
Decorative candleholders (metal, ceramic, or glass)
Sculptural table centerpieces
Large candles
Large decorative vases
Ceramic bowls and decorative dishes
Bookends (metal, Marble, wood)
Wall sconces (non-electric, decorative)
Decorative mirrors (wood, metal, or glass frames)
Console table décor (vases, figurines, small sculptures)
Geometric metal sculptures
Decorative trays (brass, wood, acrylic)
Tealights and holders
Faux animal hide rugs
Hanging wall planters (metal or wood)
Desk accessories (marble, leather, acrylic)
Sculptural bowls or trays
Decorative clocks (wall or tabletop)
Fabric Décor
Fabric décor can include everything from throw blankets to decorative pillows. These items, while often mass-produced, can also be custom-made or crafted from luxury materials.
Embroidered throw pillows
Velvet or silk cushion covers
Chunky knit throw blankets
Faux fur throws
Tapestries and wall hangings
Custom-upholstered ottomans
Quilted fabric wall décor
Macramé wall hangings
Custom or designer table runners
Fabric placemats and napkins
Upholstered footstools
Velvet curtains (decorative only)
Silk or Linen decorative bed runners
Quilted sofa covers or throws
Fireplace Items
Fireplace décor and accessories are important for both function and style, particularly in homes where the fireplace serves as a Focal Point. High-end Fireplace Tools or custom mantels can hold significant value.
Custom marble or wood fireplace mantels
Wrought Iron or brass fireplace screens
Decorative firewood holders (metal or leather)
Andirons (cast iron or brass)
Fireplace tool sets (poker, shovel, tongs)
Decorative log baskets
Antique-style bellows
Stone or metal fireplace surrounds
Decorative firewood boxes
Mantel clocks
Ceramic fireplace tile accents
Cast iron fireplace grates
Decorative gas fireplace logs
Custom Hearth rugs
Brass or copper fire starter pots
Pictures, Framed
Framed pictures and photographs may not always have monetary value but often hold sentimental importance. However, high-end frames or custom-made photo arrangements may require insurance consideration.
Framed family photographs
Custom-made photo collages
Large-format canvas prints
Gold-leaf picture frames
Hand-painted picture frames (wood or metal)
Antique-style wood frames
Shadow Box picture frames
Framed botanical prints
Gallery-style hanging systems
Custom photo art prints
Photo frames with intricate detailing
Floating glass frames
Collage picture frames (multiple openings)
Magnetic or hanging wire photo displays
Personalized name frames (with carved initials or words)
Plants, Artificial & Live
Live and artificial plants are increasingly popular in home décor. While most are affordable, custom planters, rare plants, or high-end artificial arrangements can have some value.
Large potted fiddle leaf fig trees
Handcrafted ceramic planters
Artificial silk flowers
Succulent terrariums
Bonsai trees (live or artificial)
Custom-made vertical plant walls
Orchids in decorative pots
Large faux Tropical Plants (palm trees, banana plants)
Decorative plant stands (wood, metal, or acrylic)
Hanging macramé plant holders
Air plants in glass terrariums
Live herbs in decorative pots
Wrought iron or ceramic plant holders
Moss wall panels (live or preserved)
High-end artificial plant arrangements
Storage Bins & Containers
Storage bins and containers provide functional organization while also serving as decorative items. Custom-made or high-quality storage solutions can hold value on their own.
Stackable wooden crates
Glass jars with cork or wooden lids
Clear acrylic storage boxes
Fabric bins with leather handles
Decorative metal storage boxes
Woven baskets with lids
Large rolling storage bins (wood or metal)
Plastic drawer storage systems
Bamboo kitchen Storage Containers
Stackable wire baskets
Stackable shoe storage boxes
Linen storage cubes
Industrial-style metal lockers
Leather or fabric storage ottomans
Modular storage cubes
Key Considerations for Home Décor Collection Management
Organize and Document: Create a digital inventory of your home décor, especially for custom-made or high-end pieces. Include detailed descriptions, photographs, and receipts where possible.
Safe Storage: For delicate or valuable home décor items (such as custom fabrics or fine ceramics), consider climate-controlled storage or protective coverings to prevent damage from light, moisture, or pests.
Insurance Updates: Review your insurance policy regularly to ensure that new décor items are covered. Keep your inventory updated as you purchase or replace items.
Preserve Unique Pieces: For custom-made décor or high-value items, consider getting specialized appraisals. This ensures they are accurately insured for their full value.
Wrap-Up: Inventorying Your Home Décor Collection
Home décor items, from fabric pieces and decorative baskets to fireplace accessories, can add significant value to your home. While many items may not hold high individual value, the collective worth of these décor pieces can be substantial. Documenting your décor for an insurance claim can help on your road to recovery and if you can document before an incident even occurs, then updating your policy and recovering in the future will be that much easier.