The Old Vintage Decor Trend That's Making An Elegant Comeback In Homes Today

Animal-related decor trends have a tendency to rise and fall over the years. Great examples include the dressable porch goose trend and the country kitchen design rooster craze of the last few decades. Swans may be something you're convinced you are seeing everywhere these days, particularly in thrift stores, where relics from the trend's previous popularity wave are making their way into modern homes in new ways. This makes swans a hot commodity, whether it's graceful swan planters or delicate statuettes. You may also encounter swans on upholstery and wallpaper patterns. This rise, which some have aptly called "swancore," may be the perfect whimsical accompaniment to your personal style, whether it's charming cottage decor, vintage inspired spaces, or eclectic design.

With a little digging you can find some beautiful accent pieces, both new and vintage, to embrace this design trend in your home. A great source of budget-friendly swan decor is secondhand venues like thrift stores, estate sales, antique dealers, flea markets, and online marketplaces; you can find swans available in all sizes and materials, including ceramics, brass, wood, and resin. There are even some cool ways you can transform any swan to get exactly the look you want, including elevating new or thrifted swans with luxe gold paint or giving them a faux stone look with spray paint.

In addition to the enduring popularity of nature and animal motifs in design, the reemergence of swan decor is likely a nod to yesteryear and past trends incorporating these creatures. They were often popular details in 19th century homes, including Biedermier and Empire style furnishings, which used them as accents on tables, cabinets, chairs, and other wood pieces. They were often gilded or gold and stood out against the rich natural wood as a purely decorative touch.

Swans continued to be a major motif in both Art Nouveau and Art Deco style design during the early 20th century. Later, you would find them as popular shapes for statuary and planters during the 1970s and 1980s, where they were often smooth, pastel-colored, and often abstractly rendered. Their graceful swooping necks and serenely floating bodies, as well as their symbolism of grace, purity, and wisdom, has made these feathered friends immensely popular once again among designers and enthusiastic TikTok fans.

Swan planters and vessels may be one of the most popular pieces you encounter new or secondhand, often made from ceramics, brass, or wood. These adorable pieces can be upcycled to hold objects prettily in your home like bathroom essentials on a vanity, pens on your desk, kitchen utensils on a counter, or keys on an entryway table. Or, use them as intended for plants or to create stunning swan centerpieces with real or faux flowers. Small swans statues are great for holding rings and other accessories along their swooping necks on your dresser or vanity.

Retailers also offer many vintage-inspired chances to bring swans into your home in large or small doses. For a subtle touch, try using these K Garneck Curtain Holdbacks. For a bold statement in your bathroom, opt for this Ksunsun Ornate Swan Faucet, a once popular controversial fixture making its way into more maximalist homes today. You can also bring in swans via wallpaper that features them as part of repeating patterns like this William Morris-inspired Lenify Peel-and-Stick Swan Wallpaper.