Elephants are loved for their gentle and wise nature, respected by cultures all over the world – popular symbolism often represents elephants as an embodiment of strength, stamina, patience, memory, family, and so much more. Thanks to these qualities, elephant-themed decor is filled with hidden inner meaning and makes a great gift idea for a friend who shares any of the traits that make these fascinating animals so iconic. This list has something for every style ranging from minimalist modern to art deco and beyond. Don't forget to check out our list of bird figurines if elephants aren't your thing!
Do you recognize this famous design? Charles and Ray Eames created this toy elephant in 1945 but never put the concept into mass production. Now, the iconic plywood design has been translated to kid-friendly plastic and serves as a fun seat any young child is sure to love. The Eames Elephant is appropriate for use indoors or out.
Those looking for something a little smaller and more nostalgic might be interested in the miniature version, realized in the original plywood style. The ultimate gift for mid-century design enthusiasts!
Rosendahl figurines are highly collectible and known for their exceptional quality – and this wooden elephant has played a role in continuing that beloved tradition since its design by Kay Bojesen in 1951.
This puzzle isn't difficult because of the number of components, but because of the creative problem-solving required to fit the seven simple pieces together in just the right way. The Wodibow Mastodont Olaf is a winner of both the European Red Dot and A'Design Awards, crafted in Spain from 100% natural products.
Kumiki is the Japanese term for wooden craft – or in this case, a gorgeous wooden brain teaser puzzle. This piece would make a wonderful gift for puzzle enthusiasts with a taste for simple design.
Pose this gorgeous elephant according to your mood! David Weeks Studio created Hattie the Elephant to spark creativity and imagination through interactive design. Hattie is crafted from sustainably harvested beech wood joined together by elastic bands for flexibility.
Designed by Gunnar Flørning and Harry Vedøe, this adorable elephant looks just as charming and modern as it did when originally released in 1961.
Mother and calf intertwine their trunks in a sweet embrace, too tender for words. This design is made from durable cast resin with a detailed and realistic wood finish.
It's hard to match the beauty of a hand-carved figurine. This wooden elephant was crafted from kadam wood by talented artisans in Rajasthan, India – so no two are exactly the same, much like the majestic animal it represents.
Dozens of Swarovski crystals give this elephant a dazzling aesthetic, a fabulous and exciting collectible by Thomas Kinkade. Each one is meticulously crafted and painted by hand right down to the very last sculpted pearl. Like most Kinkade collectibles, these elephants are hand-numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity.
These elephant figurines from the Hamilton Collection feel bright and cheerful with a creative design inspired by stained glass windows, its finish richly detailed and textural.
Ancient manufacturing techniques give this metal elephant statue a strong backstory, transforming a centerpiece into a great conversation starter. Dhokra is a type of non-ferrous metal casting that uses the "lost wax" method, named after the Dhokra Damar tribes of West Bengal. This elegant sculpture was handmade by traditional artisans living in the Bastar region of India using the same 4000-year-old technique.
Here's an elephant figurine for anyone with an industrial decor theme, formed from bands of iron with a copper finish.
Gorgeous as a decoration, this black Thai resin elephant could also double up to work as a ring holder.
Hand-cast resin and hand-painted finish gives this ornamental elephant a special appeal. The detail is impressive, with scrollwork inspired by the Jali style of lattice art used in Indian architecture.
A set of three compact elephant sculptures with the most pleasantly adorable expressions imaginable – this set would make a great addition to any elephant figure collection, and would look great in any modern interior.
What a delightful interpretive design! The Baccarat minimalist glass elephant pares the pachyderm down to its most basic elements and the result is charming and unforgettable.
This elephant offers a stimulating, abstract, and engaging visual experience in dimensional hand-blown glass. Imagine the possibilities, blending equally well into any interior design ranging from shabby chic to hardcore modernist.
Jonathan Adler's ceramic elephants all feature very distinctive personalities. These are from the Menagerie collection, and seem to take a daring and inquisitive stance.
Check out this confident and charismatic elephant figurine with an unforgettable stride and elegant trumpeting posture.
Leather and rope are the time-tested ingredients of this handmade elephant figure. Choose from brown, saddle tan, black, or natural leather.
An origami-inspired DIY project easy enough for children with an end result worthwhile enough for adults. No scissors required – just the included paper, a little dexterity, and a few dabs of glue. The cool geometric elephant you create is well worth the inexpensive price and invaluable instructions.
Now, let's take a look at some elephants that serve a lasting purpose outside of decoration. This ceramic elephant mug has a built-in storage compartment for tea bag storage.
If you already have a favorite set of teacups, why not spice up your set with this fanciful teapot? If you are interested in cool looking teapots like this, do check out our post:
40 Unique Teapots to Help You Savour The Taste Of Tea
.
This thirsty little elephant doesn't mind watching over that bottle you've been saving for an upcoming dinner, as long as he's allowed to look super-adorable while taking a swig.
Geometric elephants made of durable plastic make for a great multipurpose contianer, especially with the added drain spout from the trunk! Use this versatile object in the kitchen, bathroom, office, or insert a little barebones pot and transform it into a miniature planter.
This playful apple-shaped elephant holds those extra pens and pencils. While elephants are said to be masters of memory, humans generally appreciate the luxury of notetaking.
Use the trunk to support your phone and hide a few extra styluses or pencils behind! This
desk organizer
could also be used to display a name placard or small notepad.
Here's another multipurpose elephant container – succulents and air plants don't need water or drainage so you can always get creative with the pot!
From contemporary designer Jonathan Adler, the Elephant Menorah candleholder is an incredible combination of subtle material and bold style.
Another great Jonathan Adler design! These lovely porcelain salt and pepper shakers arrive in a decorative gift box for a stunning first impression as a gift.
Coordinated salt and pepper shakers in black and white leave no mystery as to the spice each contains – a gorgeous and functional choice. These are from Kate Spade New York.
Flexible plastic and LED lighting combine to create a
child-friendly bedside lamp
that's hard to break. If you need a gift for a child with a safari- or zoo-themed room, you can't pass this one up!
Simple and sweet! This ceramic elephant candle holder is an easy way to add character to a modern or classic home.
Stand this enameled steel elephant on your desk or hang it from a convenient wall to make sure you never lose your keys or important mail.
Jørgen Møller and his grandchild designed an elephant bottle opener in 1987 and grew to become a design icon in the years following, sparking a whole line of elephant-shaped accessories for living. This weighty bottle opener feels nice in the hand and looks great on the kitchen countertop or dining table. Love to see more bottle openers? Do check out our post on
unique bottle openers
then!
The MONEYPHANT is one of the newer additions to Jørgen Møller's beloved collection of elephant inspired accessories – and it's hard to imagine a more stylish way to store coins or teach children about saving money. Perfect for any Scandinavian interior design!
Who wouldn't want to share a snack with this sweet and simple elephant? The larger compartment is just the right size for nuts, candy, or small fruits and the trunk offers a convenient place to discard seeds or shells.
Want to infuse your home with a little art deco elegance? This brass elephant box from Jonathan Adler is luxurious and eye-catching. Use the flip-open top to hold jewelry, tiny notes, or other precious things.
At 1.75 inches tall and 3.75 inches wide, this small elephant bowl has the same unmissable style as the previous Jonathan Adler elephant.
Rubberized die cast zinc offers a convenient way to store rings short term without damaging them. Use this easy-to-clean elephant in the kitchen, bedroom, desk, or craft table.
Many people will recognize this mid-century modern toothpick holder – once a household staple, this design is still just as charming as ever.
Pear wood, brass, and lightweight ebonite come together to create a pipe any discerning enthusiast could appreciate. This carved pipe is handmade by Ukrainian masters and would look just as good on a shelf as it feels in the hand.
Elephant behavior studies are filled with wonderful examples of elephants retaining detailed memory at a capacity that rivals any of the animal kingdom – the phrase "elephants never forget" comes to life with Eric the Memo Elephant, a neat little whiteboard to replace those perpetual sticky notes.
These resin
wall hooks
offer a gorgeous place to hang your hat, towel, jewelry, or anything else! Each hook stands at 5" by 7", and comes in a choice of glossy modernistic hues or rustic classic finishes to suit any interior.
What a nice idea! This lightweight resin garden sprinkler would delight your lawn and offer plenty of summer sprinkler fun for the children. Between uses, it doubles as a unique
garden statue
.
