Some say a picture is worth a thousand words.

But for fans of a decorating trend experts call “interior typography,” a thousand words would just be overkill.

Instead, a single word or phrase, carefully chosen and beautifully designed, can say it all.

“”These signs really make a statement,” said Marla Borntrager, owner of Marla’s Décor and More in Lebanon.

Indeed, making a statement is literally what this trend is all about. Rather than sticking to framed photos or paintings, words themselves are hung on the walls as art. Inspirational sayings, a line from a favorite poem, a Scripture verse, or a family’s name can be painted onto a plaque and displayed.

Single words are also popular-things like “Dream,” to hang in a bedroom, “Family” in a living room, or “Welcome,” in an entryway.

While she’s carried them for about a year, they’ve gained in popularity in the last six months, Borntrager said. She thinks the popularity of typography as art is part of a larger trend toward minimalism in home décor.

“For awhile, things were really getting almost Victorian,” she said. “These kind of signs are much bolder and simpler.”

She also said typography is easier to incorporate into the look of a room than some other kinds of art. With traditional artwork, choosing a piece that has colors that match the furnishings, is the right size for the wall, and has a frame that’s the right style, can be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking.

“These signs go with anything, and they also add to whatever you’ve already got,” Borntrager said.

Many people arrange decorative signs together with family photographs or favorite artwork to add another element to the display.

Virginia Rowzee of Brownsville, who makes decorative signs, said her best-selling phrase is, “All because two people fell in love,” which people often buy to display with wedding photographs. In her own home, a sign saying “Live-Laugh-Love” hangs over a wall full of pictures of her grandchildren.

She does most of her work in simple colors that can fit in anyone’s home-black, cream, sage cream-though she said barn red is also popular. She sells her work at Spencer’s Alley, a craft and antique mall in Salem.

Many people, when selecting a word or phrase to display, try to find something that’s a little personal-a phrase that says something about their family, their outlook on life, or their beliefs. That’s the case for Rowzee, who said a Bible verse is her own favorite decorative sign.

“It’s Jeremiah 29:11, that says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,’” Rowzee said. “That one is a big seller with a lot of Christians.”

Laura Hawkins, co-owner of the Golden Pear in Albany, said custom-lettered signs are popular at the shop she co-owns with her sister Marla McCrary. People often request signs with their family name, or the year they got married, or a child’s name.

“These are really popular wedding gifts,” Hawkins said. “It’s an heirloom-type thing.”

She thinks people like having something on their wall that is significant to them and them alone.

“This is something unique,” she said. “It’s all about personalization.”