Tips for Decorating With Vintage Items

The other day while still on vacation, my husband and I got a couple of hours to wander through town together while my in-laws watched the kids. Heaven! Of course, we just happened to find an antique store and just happened to wander in and I was so thrilled to find three small vintage silver-plated trophies. I’ve written about everyday decorating uses for vintage silver before, but in this case, it wasn’t just the trophies themselves that I loved, it was thinking about how I might use them in my home that really made my heart race!
For me, decorating with vintage pieces is about creating a look that is personal – combining my love and appreciation for time-worn objects with a sense of creativity as I find new uses for old objects. When I walk into a space and see an object being used out of context, it’s an unexpected surprise and adds so much interest to the room! So when I was looking at the trophies in the antique store, I wasn’t thinking about how I would display them as trophies, but how I could use them as vases, makeup brush holders, utensil caddies and more.
After all, where’s the fun and creativity in using an item as intended?!
Have you considered using vintage suitcases stacked up as a bedside table? Or a Hungarian baby bathtub as an outdoor planter or beverage tub? A dress form can be used to display necklaces when you are not wearing them. And vintage medical cabinets look beautiful in bathrooms when used to hold towels, soaps, etc.
A big part of the fun of shopping for vintage items is what I refer to as the thrill of the hunt. Scouring tables and booths to find that one unique treasure that just speaks to me! But the other part that I love is thinking of new uses for old items and figuring out ways to incorporate them into my home that will reflect my personal style and interests!
Tips & Tidbits for Repurposing Vintage Items
1. Think Outside the Box – To find a new use for an old object, look at it’s shape, not its intended purpose, which will allow you to brainstorm other uses for the item.2. Make it a Surprise – When using an object out of context, I find that it’s better to use them sparingly so that they are unexpected surprises. Too many in one location can feel chaotic.3. Keep it Simple – Simple is better. If you can use a vintage object as is, without modifying it, the look tends to be more effortless and thus, more natural. If you have to try too hard to make something work, it often ends up looking kitschy.4. Check the Quality – Be sure to check the condition of the piece you are repurposing. Ensure that it doesn’t have any mold, mildew or bugs that you could inadvertently bring into your home.