Ginger jars, temple jars and other chinoiserie pieces have made a comeback over the past few years. I've always loved blue and white pairings and traditional styles, so these accessories have long been a favorite of mine. If you've noticed them and want to know how to work them into your home, I've put together a list of ideas to get you started.
Ginger jars are wonderfully versatile and fit many design styles, from traditional to coastal to farmhouse. Better still, they suit almost every room.
If you're new to ginger jars and temple jars, I'll answer a few common questions first. If you've already chosen a favorite and are ready to start styling, feel free to jump straight to the list!
So, what exactly is a ginger jar?
Ginger jars have existed for thousands of years in ancient China, and they grew popular in the 17th century. They began as storage vessels in the Far East, where people kept goods such as salt, herbs and spices, including ginger. When these goods were exported to Europe in the 19th century, the containers became known as ginger jars.
How is a ginger jar different from a temple jar?
You may also have heard of temple jars, which share similar patterns but have a different shape. They were also used for storage. They're usually taller than ginger jars, narrow near the bottom, and have a domed lid topped with a finial.
Finally, you may spot rectangular jars with similar patterns. These are most often tea jars. You'll see all three in the examples below.
Styling Ginger Jars, Temple Jars & Tea Jars
Today we'll look at how to create lovely spaces with chinoiserie jars in different rooms of your home, in plenty of different ways!
1. Ginger Jar Topiaries
My favorite way to use ginger jars is in these spring ginger jar topiaries I made for my living room mantel. I used preserved boxwood topiaries from Ballard Designs along with these ginger jars. I now leave them up all year because they suit every season!
This is just one example of how I've had a particular look in mind and then tracked down the exact pieces to build it myself. Isn't that the most enjoyable part of decorating?
2. Centerpiece with Ginger Jars
Much like plants, floral arrangements are one of the simplest and loveliest ways to style ginger jars. Natural materials pair so well with their intricate motifs. Many ginger jars feature nature scenes or botanical details, so they complement flowers beautifully.
Although these arrangements make gorgeous centerpieces, they aren't limited to the dining room. As shown here, try pairing one with artfully stacked books in a formal living room, parlor or entryway.
3. Chinoiserie Jar Art
You'll also see ginger jars and temple jars appearing in paintings and prints. In the example below, a designer layered bold, playful artwork and added a three-dimensional temple jar on the right.
4. Ginger Jars as a Vase
If your style leans traditional, you likely favor neutrals with small splashes of color here and there. In that case, you'll love how these versatile ginger jars hold all sorts of colorful blooms. They showcase bold spring and summer flowers so elegantly.
For even more impact, use them in a living room vignette on a coffee table, console table or media cabinet!
5. Non-Traditional Colored Ginger Jars
Classic blue and white designs are the most popular (and my favorites!), but ginger jars, temple jars and tea jars also come in many other colors.
Look at how this bright orange-and-white collection complements a palette of mostly rich blues, whites and creams.
6. Blue and White Bowl Decor
You can capture the same traditional feel with blue and white ceramic bowls, not just jars! This lovely rose trellis bowl holds faux orchids in my dining room. I love how it brings classic style to the room in a fresh way.
7. Kitchen Counter Decor
Although today's ginger jars are mainly decorative rather than used for food storage, they still make sense in the kitchen.
In this mostly white, immaculate kitchen, an island arrangement like this adds just the right touch of color, texture and pattern, bringing cheerful warmth while staying refined. It's interesting to see temple jar shapes repeated around the room in muted tones.
8. Chinoiserie Jars for the Bathroom
The mix of pieces in this bath space creates a similar effect. Some are purely decorative, while others, like the garden stool, hold towels. You could also use the larger jars to tuck away bath essentials.
9. Ginger Jar Decor in the Bedroom
Ginger jars also work well in bedrooms. Here I placed a temple jar on the lower shelf of a nightstand. It looks even better now that I've solved the annoying problem of hiding cords.
10. Ginger Jar Lamps
Bring a ginger jar into your home's lighting with a chinoiserie lamp base. These ceramic vases make an eye-catching focal point while also providing much-needed light.
I love how Eric and Ruthanne Ross worked these lamps into their kitchen. Honestly, they use blue and white ginger jars in every room of their home, and the result is breathtaking!
11. Downloadable Ginger Jar Art {Bonus Freebie!}
I've also used ginger jars in my home through 2D designs. One summer I created a few pretty summer printables and framed them in natural wicker. The mix of textures and colors added exactly the pops I wanted when I switched up the seasonal decor on my built-in bookcases.
Freebie alert in case you missed it! If you'd like to use them in your own project, you can download these free lemon tree and ginger jar summer printables here.
Where to Shop for Ginger Jars, Temple Jars and Tea Jars
I've gathered some of my favorite places to buy ginger jars and other chinoiserie home decor, along with lamps and art! Simply tap the images below to shop.
Closing Thoughts
I hope these ideas have sparked some thoughts about how you could style ginger jars in your home. I'd love to hear how you use them in your decor. As always, the goal is to take trends and make them your own, and beautiful ginger jars nearly always lift the look of a space.
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