75 Awesome Ways to Use Vinyl Decals

Vinyl decals are so versatile for pretty and practical uses in your home. I love using vinyl decals, so I rounded up over 75 awesome ways to use vinyl decals – one of my favorite things to make and use.

Many of us are always decluttering, rearranging bookshelves or furniture, or finding new projects to keep us feeling fulfilled and organized. I thought it would be nice to share these ideas for 75 useful vinyl decals to give you some new inspiration.

A while back, I shared how to cut vinyl decals. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If it doesn’t move, monogram it”. (One of my favorite mottos that I adhere to as a good Southern girl; I think it’s attributed to Reese Witherspoon, a good Southern girl if ever there was one.)

Well, I think the same thing can be said about decals. If you have something that doesn’t move (lazy old dogs and couch potatoes don’t count), you can stick a decal on it.

The possibilities are endless. I’ve only scratched the surface in using decals. But I’m always on the lookout for inspiration.

I thought you might be, too. It’s Bluesky Browsing #185, so off I went to Pinterest to scout some ideas for me and you.

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Types of Vinyl

First, let’s talk about what you need to make vinyl decals: a Cricut or other cutting machine is the tool you use to design and cut your vinyal decals. At the least, you want a variety of paper punches, which are great for small individual crafts. The Cricut is far more versatile and efficient.

You also need vinyl. For crafting, the main types of vinyl are adhesive vinyl and heat transfer vinyl (HTV). 

Adhesive vinyl is used for applying designs to surfaces, while HTV is used for transferring designs onto fabrics. 

Both types come in various finishes like matte, glossy, glitter, and metallic, as well as different colors and patterns. Adhesive vinyl comes in removable and permanent.

Most vinyl comes in solid colors, but vinyl with patterns is available, too.

Vinyl comes in rolls and in sheets.

NOTE: Also, depending on your project, pay attention to whether you want removable or permanent vinyl when you are purchasing.

Again, depending on your project, you may also need transfer tape.

Also, the Cricut brand is the only vinyl I’ve ever used, but there are off-brands available.

75 Awesome Ways to Use Vinyl Decals

Disclaimer: When possible, I’ve made every effort to give you links to the original source of the vinyl decals. I am in no way affiliated with any of these links. Click on the numbers below the images for links to the original source.

I brainstormed a list and then started searching on Pinterest for ways to use vinyl decals. My little list of ideas was a drop in the bucket. The list grew and grew. And it’s still growing.

Iron-On Vinyl Decals

Tote Bags

These two bags show you just how cute a plain purchased tote bag can become with a little imagination. Your vinyl decal can be simple with one color or multidimensional with 2+ colors.

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Pillows

We all love pillows to decorate our homes. Pillows with writing and images that evoke the aesthetic of our home are even better. Holidays especially lend themselves to using vinyl decals to decorate pillows. Whether it’s a monogram, an image, a word or a saying, vinyl decals are a super-easy way to add personality to our personal space.

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Clothes

What’s cuter than a t-shirt or a onesie with a saying on it? Iron-on vinyl decals (sometimes called transfers) add so much individuality to a simple piece of clothing.

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Regular Vinyl

The great thing about vinyl stickers is that the vinyl comes in so many colors and finishes from matte to shiny to glittery. The uses can be practical, strictly decorative or both.

Vinyl Decals for Labels

Let’s count the places:

• laundry room – detergents, supplies
• kitchen pantry – spice bottles, baking ingredients
• playroom – toys, books, Legos
• office – pens, paper, craft supplies, paints
• garage – light bulbs, gardening tools, extra paper goods, tools
• school – paper, folders, pens, markers, crayons

In the Laundry Room

• cleaning supplies – these are the vinyl decals I made for our laundry room makeover,

• individual laundry baskets
• clothes to be hand-washed
• clothes to be ironed

In the Kitchen

These vinyl decal ideas show that using decals can be practical and decorative.

• in the pantry for staples, such as flour, sugar, rice, pasta, nuts

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• cutting boards
• drawers
• utensil holders
• trash cans
• mixer

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• individual glasses, mugs, cups

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• party glasses – here’s some dollar store wine glasses that I decorated by making stars from vinyl; I’ve also made hearts and polka dots for Valentine’s Day.

In the Office

I made that pretty decal for my Cricut machine.

• filing drawers
• supplies
• paper storage

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• calendars
• baskets
• chargers, devices

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• clipboards
• pins, makers

In the Craft or Sewing Room

• fabric
• thread
• paint
• pins
• stencils supplies

In the Garage

• tools
• equipment
• jars for screws, nuts, bolts, etc.
• baskets
• sports equipment
• craft supplies

School Supplies

• notebooks
• zipper bags – here’s the vinyl decal I made for my granddaughter’s first-grade zipper bag. She is almost done with 8th grade so she may be ready for a new one. Actually, she may consider that bag too young for her.

• backpacks
• books
• folders

In the Playroom

• toys
• puzzles
• books
• wall art

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In the Bathroom

• toiletries
• medicine

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• cleaning supplies
• jewelry

In the Closet

• shoes
• scarves
• belts
• socks

As Art

Vinyl decals are not just for practical applications. They can be purely decorative. We have such beautiful fonts available today that you can be as creative as you want with lettering.

Images, such as animals, cartoon characters, and other pictures, can make a plain item look spectacular. Here are some places to apply a vinyl decal that will have you smiling.

I made a vinyl decal to make a sign for fall a few years ago.

• trays
• mirrors
• glass

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• walls – love these DIY gold wall art projects.

And this DIY uses decals as wall art.

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There are thousands of decals on the market that you can also purchase for huge wall art.

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• furniture
• maps
• books
• plates

Vinyl Decals for Party Decorations

Who doesn’t love cute party decorations? The possibilities are endless, but here are a few.

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• place card tags
• napkins
• placemats
• wine glasses
• invitations
• favors
• banners
• on gifts
• candles

Holidays

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• pumpkins
• decorative pails
• wooden or papier mache letters
• Christmas ornaments

Some Random Uses for Vinyl Decals

• mailboxes

• front doors
• flower pots
• yard art
• stairs
• teacher gifts

It boggles the mind how many ideas there are to use vinyl decals. I’m not sure if I’ve even scratched the surface. But I hope I’ve given you some inspiration. I had no idea that so many possibilities existed.

If you don’t have a Cricut cutting machine or you’re not inclined to DIY vinyl decals, thousands of opportunities exist online to purchase them.  Either way, vinyl decals are a great way to add pizazz, personality, and punch to any home decor, party, or holiday.

PIN this post for later so you don’t forget these ideas.