14 Creative Ways to Decorate with Antiques

When you hear the word “antique” you might immediately get a picture in your head….or maybe even a smell! Musty, dusty, and crusty. For many people, when they think about using antiques in their home, they think of a room full of hand-me-down furniture from grandma. And if that’s your style then great! But decorating with and using antiques in your home doesn’t have to remind you of visiting grandma. There are many creative ways to decorate with antiques that allow you to own a pieces of history but with a contemporary look.

Before I go on, let me clarify something. An antique is something over 100 years old. The term vintage describes something that is at least 20 years old. For purposes of this article, I’m going to use the word antique interchangeable because I’m referring to items with history.

The key for how to decorate with antiques in a contemporary way is to use them for a purpose other than what they were intended.

Doing this, will allow you to use antique in your home but not make it feel like your grandma has moved in with you!

14 CREATIVE WAYS TO DECORATE WITH ANTIQUES

1. Ironstone

Traditionally meant as serving pieces and dinnerware, ironstone is durable and beautiful….and multi-functional! Below, I’m using a soup tureen as a pot for my ZeeZee plant, but I often use pitchers as vases, bowls as display pieces, etc. If you need a white container, consider using an ironstone piece instead of something generic!

2. Trophy Cups

I have several of these around my home and while usually, they’re just on display in my guest bedroom, I occasionally pull one to use in a different way. These are great when used as vases, pencil cups, utensil holders, etc. Get creative!

3. Grain Sacks

Grain Sacks are old bags, typically from Europe, that were once use to store and carry grain. The weave and stripe detail would specify which farm the grain was from. Given their durability, these are great when used as seat covers, table runners, placemats, pillows, etc. Personally, I like when they have patches, holes, or other markings because they have more character, but surprisingly, you can still find many that are in perfect condition. You can buy some from my shop {here}.

4. Dresser

An old dresser can be turned into a kitchen island or even a vanity for the bathroom to create a unique statement piece.

5. Shoe Last

I can be a sucker for industrial objects and shoe lasts are no exception. Historically, lasts were typically made from hardwoods and cast iron because these materials retain their shape, even when in contact with wet materials (like leather) and subjected to the mechanical stresses of stretching and shaping shoes on them.  Now, they work great as doorstops, paper weights, or even bookends!

6. Tin Ceiling Tiles

Once used to adorn ceilings of old buildings, tin ceiling tiles have beautiful designs. These pieces now make fantastic wall decor and are much more unique than a generic print found at the store.

7. Books

Yes, books are meant to be ready and you should read them. But antique books are just so beautiful, that they make gorgeous display pieces! If you stack a few up, they work great as a pedestal to add height.

8. Dough Bowl

Once used for mixing dough, these dough bowls make great centerpieces for dining tables, console tables, and more! I often use mind to store magazines underneath my coffee table. They come in a variety of sizes depending on how you plan to use them.

9. Demijohn

A demijohn (or carboy), refers to a glass vessel with a large body and small neck that was used for transporting liquids such as beer, mead and wine, and is enclosed in wickerwork.  Nowadays, these bottles work perfectly as tall vases or even group together as display pieces.

10. Keys

Old skeleton keys have a lot of charm, so they look nice when sitting on a coffee table or grouped in a bowl. I have a special one that I keep under a cloche with other important items, but I often just put them on top of an old book.

11. Breadboard

Old bread boards look great as well decor or kitchen backsplashes. But I find that the large, European ones are the perfect size for charcuterie boards!

12. Confit Pot

Confit pots were mustard and green pots used for storing cooked meats and then buried in the ground or stored in stone-lined larders. Now, you can but decorative versions of these post, like the one below from Pottery Barn, to use as vases or display pieces.

13. Bottle Drying Racks

Once used to dry bottles, I’ve found that these racks are perfect for holding everyday coffee mugs on the kitchen counter. It’s a practical and decorative way to store coffee mugs! Wall versions are great for mugs as well, but I’ve seen them used to hang flowers or dry herbs, too.

14. Olive Bucket

Once used during olive harvest for picking and washing the fruit, olive baskets are now used as decorative containers, either inside or out. I sometimes use mine to store firewood on the hearth, but here, I’m using it for extra pillows and throws.

These are just some of the creative ways to decorate with antiques, but there are so many more! Items with a bit of history bring some personality and character to your home.

So the next time you go to buy a vase, or container, or scrap of fabric, give some though as to whether there’s an antique that could do the job. Sure you could get a decorative pot from Pottery Barn to put on your counter, but how much cooler would it be if it were an antique confit pot that was once buried in the soil of France?!

Because why own something new if you can own something with a cool story?

Love antiques? See what I’m selling in la Brocante Boutique!