Typically, there are two icons in the icon corner, one icon of the Virgin and Child and one of Christ the Savior. Sometimes the Christ the Savior icon is replaced with the icon of St. Nicholas. These two icons are draped in a ritual towel or rushnyk.

In most cases the icons are placed across the corner, rather than being flat on either of the walls.

The icon corner is associated with the male members of the household and it is the responsibility of the eldest male, or household head, to keep the flame in the icon lamp which hangs under the icons lit at all times. The flame is no longer kept lit except during holidays.

Most rushnyky hung around icons have the tree of life motif, as in the Latysh house, to protect the home and its inhabitants.

This is a more traditional "tree of life".