Decorating Ideas for Vintage Finds

Quirky flea-market finds become interesting decorating opportunities when you put your imagination to work. Repurpose antiques, collectibles and architectural salvage for one-of-a-kind decor.

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Color a collection

What a little spray paint can do! Choose a single standout hue to turn a jumbled collection of garage sale finds into a unified display for a wall, mantel or shelf.Start with a group of related (but not necessarily matching) items. You could use a pile of old brass candlesticks, a menagerie of kitschy animal figures or a stack of tarnished trays. Our pick: a variety of dinged-up kitchen gear from antiques and thrift stores. Remove dirt and dust with a damp cloth. Spray on primer, then apply the final color with a light back and forth motion for even coverage. You may need a couple coats for rich, uniform color. (We used Krylon indoor/outdoor Cherry Red paint in gloss, krylon.com).

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Fill a room

In this Minnesota living room, bargain chipped-paint furniture brings low-maintenance style, while one-of-a-kind finds take on new, fun uses: An enamel casserole dish becomes a flower pot; a 1950s salon hair dryer gets new life as a floor lamp; patchwork feed sacks cover a pillow on the sofa. Upholstering vintage iron patio chairs with red-and-white feed sacks makes them indoor-ready.

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Shutter display

Hang shutters horizontally to display photos, postcards or letters. Use double-stick tape to hold items in place if needed.

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Suitcase stack

Create an unusual bedside table from a stack of vintage suitcases. Place on an inexpensive crate or stand for extra height.

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Family photo holder

A salvaged postcard holder becomes an instant display area for family photos. A fun way to organize: Fill each column with photos from a different year or event.

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Door decor

The old door leaning against a wall is a versatile vintage find because its back side is an awesome blue color. Depending on the time of year, the Illinois homeowner flips the door over for a new look.

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Coffee mug holder

A retro battery rack snagged for $30 at a flea market becomes a clever holder for a collection of thrift-store coffee mugs.

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Mantel headboard

A weathered mantel gets new life as an eyecatching headboard-and a display shelf for mementoes.

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Letter display

Old handwritten letters are strung across an empty frame with jute twine to create a pretty vintage vignette.

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Vintage finds for a bathroom

A soda pop cooler becomes a colorful and creative sink. For unusual molding, this Minnesota homeowner applied yardsticks above corrugated steel wainscoting. To coordinate with the sink, she mixed red and green sticks.

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Display and organize

Mason jars, milk bottles and other glass containers take a charming turn as vases-or places to corral paper clips, rubber bands, pens or pencils.

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Shutter decor

Salvaged shutters add interest and texture to walls. Simply prop behind furniture, or secure to walls.

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Create a centerpiece

Not sure what to do with your quirky collectibles? This homeowner's old lightbulbs, in varying colors and shapes, create a striking focal point for the dining room table.

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Vintage shelves

Weathered planks serve as display ledges for vintage finds. Muted colors unite the varied collectibles.

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Doorknob decor

Glass, marble or metal doorknobs make fun clothes or curtain hooks.Another idea for doorknobs: Turn them into a picture holder. Attach two or three to a wall and prop a picture frame between the knobs and the wall.

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Window wall art

An old barn window becomes intriguing wall art. The reproduction chair upholstered in feed sacks adds to the vintage appeal.

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Timeless accents

Old pocket watches from a flea market provide a tabletop accent.

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Wine holders

Use old canning jars to serve wine.

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Serene blue

In this serene blue master bedroom, an old window stands in for art above the bed, and a vintage chest adds pretty color on the nightstand.

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Mail stop

A salvaged porch railing serves as an attractive-and useful-mail stop. Sort correspondence by slats rather than stacking it in piles.

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Under glass

One way to display unusual finds such as these vintage lightbulbs: Put them under a glass bell top or cloche.

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Simple vintage art

Old photos-on a clipboard or hung with clothespins-are easy wall decor.

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Button up

Old buttons become works of art when hung on wall displays. Consider grouping by color, shape or material.

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Water filter

A vintage water filter fills a nook in this dining area.

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Candle holders

A meat grinder cleverly holds a candle for an entertaining tabletop. At an outdoor party, try attaching the grinders along a buffet-table edge. Deep-fryer baskets with pillar candles inside make great luminarias!

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Fireplace fillers

Create a playful fireplace display with old globes, as these Ohio homeowners did. Glue holds the globes in place.

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Fun and games

Old board games make colorful wall art-and who cares if some of the pieces are missing?

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Sports theme

Grouping sports collectibles in one room increases their stylish impact. Arrows in a thermos are an everlasting alternative to flowers in a vase.

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Kitchen space saver

Instead of piling fruits in a basket, save counter space by suspending an old grocery scale from a ceiling hook.

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Recycled storage

Hard-sided suitcases store files on a shelving unit.

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Bottle opener

Put a vintage bottle opener to good use by attaching it to a kitchen table-preferably a vintage one!

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Stylish crates

Add drawer pulls to inexpensive wooden crates to make them easier to pull out from shelves.

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Clever caddy

A metal caddy scored at a thrift shop holds canning jars that keep everyday forks, knives and spoons handy.

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Outdoor wall art

Salvaged items-including grates, grills and picture frames-look perfect on weathered outdoor walls. For more ideas on using recycled or salvaged items in your garden, click on the link below.

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Pretty and practical

Vintage hard-sided suitcases tucked beneath a bedroom side table are pretty and practical. They hold linens and clothes.

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Retro camp style

Late '50s boy-theme curtains inspired this room. A totem pole lamp and a throw covered with vacation pennants create classic camp style.

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Desktop organizer

This flea-market find-a sugar mold-makes a perfect workspace organizer. It's deep enough to store scissors, a hole punch and other office necessities.

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Dresser dress-up

Favorite items are grouped on the dresser: a vintage fur collar, a glass jar full of perfume jars and an old tiara.

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Farmers' finds

An apple-picker's pouch hangs around to gather magazines.More ideas for farm tools: A pitchfork attached to the wall pitches in as an easy coatrack; a rake head becomes a hanger for small garden tools.

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Repurpose toolboxes

Small toolboxes can hold spice jars; larger ones can control desk clutter.

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A different kind of light

Distinctive ceiling light fixtures turned upside down work as candleholders.

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Side table grate

A metal heating grate serves as a garden side table when placed on top of an urn.

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Bread box vase

A tin bread box makes a unique vase or plant pot (just line it so it doesn't rust-and punch a drain hole).

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Decorating Ideas for Vintage Finds

1 of 50

Color a collection

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Fill a room

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Shutter display

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Suitcase stack

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Family photo holder

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Door decor

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Coffee mug holder

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Mantel headboard

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Letter display

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Vintage finds for a bathroom

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Display and organize

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Shutter decor

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Create a centerpiece

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Vintage shelves

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Doorknob decor

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Window wall art

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Timeless accents

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Wine holders

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Serene blue

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Mail stop

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Under glass

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Simple vintage art

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Button up

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Water filter

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Candle holders

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Fireplace fillers