Inspiration: Vintage Decorating Tips and Ideas

Add character, interest and style to your home with these beautiful and inspiring vintage decorating tips and ideas! 

It's been cold, dark and rainy, our well pump decided to burn up and my motivation to do anything besides sleep, binge Netflix and gorge on Cinnamon Toast Crunch has been seriously lacking. 

I've been wasting my days mindlessly scrolling social media and have come across a ton of beautiful and inspiring homes full of vintage decor.  

I mix a lot of old and new decor in my own home.  It's my favorite way to express my style and create dimension, warmth and character, for a comfortable and lived-in feel.   

In an effort to feel slightly productive,  I'm sharing a curated collection of vintage decorated spaces and my favorite ways to incorporate vintage decorating into your home. 

HOW TO DECORATE WITH VINTAGE ITEMS

1. LET THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER SHINE

From original hardwood floors and intricate molding to beautiful leaded glass windows, nothing beats the history and character of older homes.    Restoring and refinishing original features and architecture keeps the history and allows the beautiful and old details to shine.

Consider keeping and/or restoring these charming original home features. 

- Dutch and pocket doors

- Transom windows

- Leaded glass windows

- Stained glass windows

- Original hardware

- Glass doorknobs

- Original floors and molding

- Wainscotting

- Claw foot tubs

SOURCE: Deuce Cities Henhouse

2. ADD VINTAGE STORAGE

I'm a big fan of using vintage crates, baskets, bins and totes for storage and organizing.  It's a simple way to get organized and add a touch of vintage to your home.

Favorite vintage storage items to keep an eye out for. 

- Metal locker baskets

- Lockers
- Canvas laundry totes
- Collapsible wire laundry baskets
- Wood crates

- Vintage suitcases

- Appothecary drawers

Vintage items courtesy of, Vintage By LHOF

SOURCE: Becca Interiors

3. CONSIDER TAXIDERMY

I know taxidermy can be a delicate subject, but if you're open to it, there are plenty of tasteful ways to incorporate antlers and mounts into your home.   Consider displaying a bowl of antlers on a coffee table or creating a gallery wall with a skull mount and a collection of vintage art. 

SOURCE: Proverbs 31 Girl

4. KEEP IT LIGHT AND BRIGHT

I'm a huge fan of contrast but there's something about a collection of vintage whites that is undeniably beautiful.  Vintage signs, glass apothecary bottles, Ironstone, concrete planters and windows are wonderful ways to incorporate vintage whites.  Add in a few plants and you have a beautiful and classic combination full of contrast and texture. 

SOURCE: Keeley Mckendree

SOURCE: Keeley Mckendree

5. DISPLAY ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE

What is architectural salvage? 

Architectural salvage refers to items that are removed, salvaged and saved from older buildings that are being remodeled or scheduled for demolition.   

How to incorporate architectural salvage into your home decor.

Chippy and chunky corbels, balusters, spandrels, intricate molding and salvaged windows make great home decor additions.  Hang dental tooth molding or architectural pieces as unique wall decor, wrap an island in salvaged barn wood, make shelves out of antique corbels or simply display a unique salvaged piece on an entry or coffee table.  

WARNING:  To protect yourself from hazardous lead paint, be sure to seal chippy salvaged pieces with water-based poly or another preferred sealer.  

SOURCE: Candlewood Cottage

SOURCE: Our Home On High Street

SOURCE: Little White Farmhouse

6. MAKE A STATEMENT

You know I love incorporating card catalogs, vintage drawers and cubby cabinets into my home.  They're vintage, they make a statement and the worn and weathered wood adds so much warmth and character.  They can definitely be a splurge, but they are a splurge worth investing in! 

SOURCE: Little White Farmhouse

SOURCE: Miss Mustard Seed

SOURCE: Little House of Four

The best sources for finding unique vintage decor

- Antique shops and malls

- Vintage markets

- Auctions

- Flea markets

- Thrift Stores

- Yard sales 

- Church sales

- Estate sales

- Facebook Marketplace

- Etsy

- Ebay

- Upsclae curated online marketplaces (Chairish, 1st Dibs) 

- Vintage Keepers 

- Instagram 

Finding the perfect vintage items to add to your home can take time, but patience always pays off, especially when you find the perfect vintage addition to your home. 

Shop often, shop vintage and create a beautiful and charming one-of-a-kind home! 

    

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