Using Cigar Boxes for Unique Home Decor – Who Knew?

Because of my sister, Christie, I have a love using Cigar Boxes in Home Decor. Years ago, on her way to work she routinely passed a Cigar Store and periodically she would pop in and ask for empty boxes. They would always give them to her for free! She then displayed them in interesting ways throughout her home – on a shelf, in a bookcase, under a treasure, etc. No one does “design layering” better than my sister.

I found a cigar store in Deephaven, MN that had a stack of cigar boxes 5 feet high and 3 feet wide. I would spend up to an hour filtering through the stack to find just the right box, in the right size, with the right label. My store charged $1 per box, but still a cheap find. One time I found a box that still had Cuban cigars inside – I got that box for free. I still chuckle when I think about how they only paid a dollar in exchange for several expensive cigars – maybe I should have kept the cigars and paid for the box. 🙂

Anyway, after being in a cigar store sifting through dozens of boxes I reek of smoke so return home for clean clothes and washed hair. Sometimes the boxes still smell, so I place a couple of charcoal briquettes inside and with time the cigar odor dissipates.

Now let me tell you what I do with my 30+ cigar boxes. I love to mimic my sister and have them everywhere to add layers to my design.

On a Shelf

In my powdered bath I displayed cigar boxes on floating shelves. It added lots of interest with the different designs, sizes, and colors.

Under a Treasure

These Maduro cigar boxes are functional under my black and white pottery. The black box and brown lid tie in nicely.

With a Treasure on Top

I used the same box set on the lower shelf of my sofa table and placed a granite nautilus shell on top

Adding Height

When we first purchased our Highover house I had the upper cabinets in the built-in pantry retrofitted with glass and recessed lights to resemble a china hutch. I created an arrangement of crystal items and Aesop Fable plates, but found they were not fully visible due to the wood surrounding the glass doors. I placed everything on cigar boxes and, Voila! The perfect height. You did not see the boxes unless you opened the cabinet for a wine glass or a piece of crystal, but the functionality was perfect.

I did the same thing in my Elshire home, but since I wanted my Greek parable plates to be centered in the middle of the glass door I placed the Punch cigar box on a piece of (you guessed it) old dock planks. You can see the top of the box in this display, but I rather like viewing the sliver of black and gold beneath the plates.

Under a Candle

On my screen porch end table I placed a hurricane vase with a candle nestled in rocks on top of a cigar box. On the lower shelf of the table I stacked two bright boxes for a pop of color.

All Alone

This Kristoff cigar box found a home on the TV console on the same screen porch. The wood box nestled between metal trays and books, topped with an antique duck decoy, gave it the added element I was looking for. I even kept the paper flap in front promoting the Cuban cigar.

Stacked

I placed two cigar boxes inside a dark brown tray and set it vertical in my Highover kitchen.

In Christie’s kitchen she stacked these wood cigar boxes of varying brown hues. I like how she offset the top box instead of centering it pyramid style.

Crafty Decoupage

Another idea for cigar boxes comes from Christie. She creates decorative boxes by removing the cigar label and decoupaging on the outside and inside with beautiful art designs she prints from Pinterest. She personalizes them with the recipient’s name, each letter a different font. Very creative and way above my skill set. My college kids store office supplies inside theirs and I keep band aids in mine. I love it when a design is functional.

Below are all the clever ways Christie has re-purposed cigar boxes after she artfully applies her Pinterest pictures. In some cases she will add a coordinating pull tab, or a button, or piece of metal to give them a three dimensional feel.

Christie’s home sits on 5 acres and is next to an old rock quarry. She takes her grandchildren on nature hikes at the quarry and they collect bits of nature for their personalized cigar boxes. I secretly wish I could have my own box and tag along.