15 Vintage Decor Items That'll Instantly Elevate Your Home — And Never Go Out Of Style

Vintage pieces are a surefire design trick to make your home feel more warm and cozy. They carry a history, personality, and natural patina that can make your interiors look more layered and lived-in, countering the starkness that can sometimes take over modern spaces. In the age of mass-produced, disposable decor, antiques emerge as the alternative. These pieces are durable and one-of-a-kind, or at least unique enough to not be easily found in a friend or relative's home, which can't really be said for the things coming out of large, low-cost retail stores. What's more, when it comes to price, because they're worn and imperfect, vintage pieces can rival items from those same stores, making them a great solution for decorating on a budget. Whether you want to invest in a unique, retro lamp or replace a few mass-produced picture frames, the secondhand market will have plenty of options available.

Still, shopping for antiques can be overwhelming. After all, you're looking at a catalogue that spans at least a century, and vintage stores aren't exactly famous for being the tidiest. Knowing what to look for, what is worth your money, and what you want in your home will make your experience significantly more pleasurable. While some antiques may look a little passé and garish in a modern home, there are a few classic home decor pieces that stand the test of time, making them easy to find, love, and incorporate in any interior. 

Vintage lighting is an absolute favorite of interior designers. Instinctively thought of as functional, these pieces can actually bring a sculptural, artistic element to a room that may be hard to introduce otherwise. From zany mid-century space age floor lamps to a classic table lamp with a shade in a beautiful floral print, these pieces are easy to find wherever you prefer to shop. Just make sure that they are safe to use and wired correctly for your home's electrical system. Usually, contacting a professional electrician is recommended.

Antique pots, jars, and jugs are simply irresistible. They're such a simple, effective way to decorate a space that it's hard to find a reason not to buy them. Regardless of whether they're ceramic or glass, most will not be food safe, due to dangerous amounts of toxic lead and other metals in glazing and coloring. However, they look fantastic as decor on kitchen counters, bookshelves, dressers, mantels, tables, and the list goes on. Leave them empty or throw in some greenery, and, with little effort, your room will instantly look heartier.

High quality, design-forward mirrors can be quite expensive, so buying vintage is a great solution if you're looking to wow without spending a fortune. Some damage or patina to the frame are welcome when adding charm to an interior. As for the glass, unless you need a mirror for practical reasons, signs of age like clouding or a few blotches are also considered sophisticated and even luxurious. For the more modest, not all vintage mirrors are gilded and rococo. There are plenty of simple pieces with natural elements that can bring a touch of romance to your space.

Wall art is arguably the best way to showcase your personality around the house. Most times, however, the prints you find at shops like IKEA or Home Goods feel a little too generic to fit the bill. Enter thrift stores, antique fairs, and all other resale markets at your disposal. The search can be a bit of a wild goose chase, but more often than not, you will find truly unique and even valuable pieces at great prices, frame and all. If your budget allows, seeking out an art collector or dealer may make the job easier.

Whether it's acting as the background for great furniture or bringing the drama for a statement decor moment, a great rug is a design element that cannot be overlooked. Once again, going the antique route is a surefire way to find personality-filled, nostalgic, time-honored pieces. If you're worried about committing to something as large as an area rug in a traditional print in your modern home, start with something smaller like a runner in a hallway. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much contrast, spark, and warmth it can add to your space.

Vintage plates are the valuable kitchen item you should never overlook at estate sales or thrift stores. Those made after the 1970s, when lead use was regulated, will make for gorgeous additions to your tablescapes. Don't worry if you can't find a full set — mismatching vintage plates brings interest, playfulness and whimsy to table arrangements. If you fall in love with a specific piece that's more than 50 years old, these can still make for fabulous decorations, whether you hang them up on your wall or display them on an open shelf. 

The garden is often left out of the vintage decor conversation, but it's actually one of the areas in your home that could most benefit from introducing these kinds of pieces. Throughout history, landscaping has always owed as much to lush greenery as it has to decorative elements like sculptures, planters, vases, and fountains. These patinaed pieces can make your outdoor area, no matter how small, look more intentional, magical, and cherished. They will often be more durable and affordable than newer items, helping you spruce up a commonly overlooked part of the house for less.

Designers love placing a wooden chopping board next to the sink when styling a kitchen. Their ability to channel rustic warmth, counteracting the coldness of countertop stone and backsplash tile, is simply unrivaled, and the older and shabbier they look, the better. That's why buying vintage chopping boards is much preferred, especially if you're reserving them for decor. You can, however, actually use them for food prep and presentation, if you want. Products like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, salt, and lemon juice deodorize and disinfect these boards, while the appropriate oils will condition and revive them.

Nothing says "old world" quite like taper candles in distressed, antique candle holders. Models in bronze, silver, and wood evoke medieval churches and castles, while brass and glass pieces (crystal, if you're feeling particularly fancy), transport us to lavish 18th century European palaces. More modern designs from the late 20th century are sculptural and experimental. To summarize, multiple centuries worth of history means there's an abundance of candle holders in myriad styles and materials to choose from. Such a simple, easy-to-find accessory can add so much elegance and texture to your decor.

Silver flatware is usually associated with that cupboard in your grandparents' home you weren't allowed to go anywhere near or aristocratic residences straight out of a "Downton Abbey" episode, but sourcing a few of these pieces in flea markets and thrift stores can be relatively inexpensive. Plus, they will make your table feel beautiful and layered. Sterling silver, which contains at least 92.5% silver, is the most valuable, but silver-coated or plated cutlery can still look luxurious. Make sure the silver layer is intact. If you can see the metal underneath, it may not be food-safe.

There's no denying that the overwhelming majority of books published nowadays look boring, sometimes even outright ugly. Much like architecture and interior design, older examples of books were intricate, ornate works of art displaying incredible craftsmanship. Also like architecture and interior design, books gain a special kind of charm when they have a little patina to them. If you see one of your favorites in a beautiful early edition or otherwise find one with a stunning cover and spine, don't pass up on bringing it home. Books make for the most inspiring decor.

Shopping vintage is all about making your home look singular and bespoke. One of the best ways to achieve that is to hunt for textiles of all kinds. After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure. And, by taking the scraps that someone else gave away, you can create stunning linens for your dinner table, renew the upholstery on an armchair, or give your pillows a little makeover. Some pieces, like quilts or tapestries, are so remarkable and storied they can even be hung on the wall for a special art statement.

From Tiffany to Murano, art glass is unmatched in its brilliance and delicacy. These pieces look and feel so precious, not to mention the fact that they're virtually immune to aging. With the exception of chipping paint or abrasions caused by mishandling, vintage art glass will look the same way today as it did when it was made. If you're hoping to dodge mass-produced replicas, look for examples that are handblown, sculptural, and not overly perfect, always taking care to check for a maker's mark, whether that's a prestigious firm or a talented Studio Glass artist. 

Investing in large vintage furniture can be daunting. You may feel nervous about overpaying or overlooking structural damage, and then getting stuck with a eyesore that no one is willing to take off your hands. Instead, you can dip your toe in the antique hunting ocean with something small like a side table. These come in so many different styles, shapes, and materials and can be easily fit into any neglected little nook that is begging to be decorated. Search for pieces that look unique, sturdy, and well made.

Much like side tables, a single vintage accent chair or stool with an interesting design can bring texture and interest to a space without representing a major investment or gamble. They look fantastic when mixed with modern furniture in an office, living room, or bedroom. Used upholstered furniture comes with its unique set of challenges, however, including serious health hazards and annoying pests, so you should proceed with extra caution when bringing one of these pieces home.