What are the little things in your home that make you smile? Whether it’s a quirky mug on the counter, a striped vase on a windowsill, or a framed receipt with an inside joke, tiny accents can shift how a room feels. Here we use the word jollifiers to mean small objects that spark delight and lift the everyday. The selection described below highlights 14 home jollifiers curated from the MoMA Design Store, a shop many turn to for thoughtful and playful objects. The original post that inspired this guide was published on Cup of Jo on 21/04/2026 19:01, and in the spirit of that piece we explore what makes these items special and how to use them in your space.
Sometimes the happiest details are the least complicated: a tiny ceramic house for a tea light, a salt shaker shaped like an animal, or a small sculptural bookend. These pieces act as visual anchors—elements that catch the eye and invite a second look. A tea light house, for example, offers warm, flickering light and a dollhouse silhouette that reads as both functional and whimsical. Placing a few of these objects strategically turns ordinary surfaces into curated moments. Below you’ll find thoughts on why these accents matter, what to expect from the MoMA Design Store selection, and simple styling tips to incorporate jollifiers around your home.
Why small objects shift the mood
There is an understated power in small items because they operate on both an emotional and sensory level. A funny mug might start your morning with a grin, while a colorful vase can punctuate a neutral shelf with personality. In design terms, these elements serve as focal points and conversation starters; in everyday life, they become mood triggers that remind us of people, places, or moments. Unlike large investments, tiny objects invite experimentation: you can swap them seasonally, cluster them in groups, or use them as gifts that carry meaning. Embracing jollifiers is a low-stakes way to keep your home feeling playful and personal.
Highlights from the MoMA Design Store picks
The curated set contains 14 home jollifiers that balance design-minded craft with approachable charm. While the full list showcases a range of materials and scales, a unifying thread is thoughtful detail—pieces that look as good up close as they do from across the room. Among the standouts is the beloved tea light house, an object that translates simple light into architecture of comfort. The MoMA Design Store has long been praised for offering items that feel both museum-worthy and livable, making it a natural source for these kinds of finds. Expect a mix of ceramics, small lighting, playful kitchenware, and sculptural accessories that nod to modern design while keeping things joyful.
Standout concepts and examples
Think of a jollifier as any compact object that delivers an emotional return: a patterned coaster that sparks nostalgia, an abstract figurine that adds sculptural rhythm to a shelf, or a playful planter that enlivens a windowsill. When choosing such pieces, lean into contrast—use a bright object against muted tones or a whimsical shape among clean lines. The tea light houses mentioned earlier are a perfect case: they combine form, light, and story in one small, glowing package. These kinds of items are particularly effective because they reward both function and imagination, inviting guests to ask where you found them and prompting you to smile each time you pass by.
How to style jollifiers in your home
Quick styling checklist
Arranging small joyful objects is part art, part common sense. Start by identifying three or four spots that could use a lift—an entry console, a bookshelf cluster, a nightstand, or a kitchen windowsill. Group items in odd numbers for visual interest and vary heights and textures so each piece breathes. Use repetition to create cohesion: repeating a color or material across different objects ties disparate items together. Remember that jollifiers do not need to shout to be effective; sometimes the most powerful are the subtle ones that reveal themselves over time.
Bringing it all together
Small objects have outsized influence on how a home feels. By collecting a few carefully chosen jollifiers—perhaps from the MoMA Design Store selection of 14 home jollifiers—you create a personal landscape of joy, memory, and design. These pieces are inexpensive ways to refresh your rooms, mark seasons, or build a collection that speaks to your taste. If you’re feeling inspired, start with one delightful object and let it guide where the next should go. For reference and inspiration, the original Cup of Jo post that introduced this concept was published on 21/04/2026 19:01, and it serves as a pleasant reminder that happiness can live in the smallest details.