Goodbye To Counter Clutter: These Vintage Thrift Store Finds Organize And Decorate At The Same Time

Countertop storage and organizers come a dime a dozen, and one thing they tend to have in common is that they look intentional but not decorative. Sure, they help declutter your countertops and make your space look more put-together, but what if you could say goodbye to counter clutter with vintage thrift store finds that let you organize and decorate at the same time? It might even give you a reason to finally grab that vintage mug you saw during the last thrifting trip that you had to leave behind. There are so many mismatched thrifted pieces you can pull together to organize any countertop, whether it's in the kitchen or the bathroom. 

To add a vintage touch to your bathroom vanity while still keeping your countertops tidy, don't worry too much about finding matching items. Instead, look for pieces that complement one another and serve a purpose when grouped together. Take, for instance, a vintage wooden caddy (caddies are pretty common thrift-store finds), a few mugs or cute glass cups that fit comfortably inside it, and something unique like a silver-plated ceremonial cup to elevate the look. These vintage goodies, used together, can corral your makeup by type into separate cups, stash hair accessories in another, and leave extra caddy space for lotions or perfumes. Or, you can use this same setup to organize your oral-care essentials, like toothbrushes in one cup, toothpaste in another, and your electric flosser or whitening pen in a third. Wicker baskets are another great thrift find and work perfectly as holders for smaller cups or mugs, keeping your counters clutter-free while adding a stylish, thrifted touch.

Every thrift store is different, and they all carry their own mix of charming pieces, which is exactly what makes this hack so much fun. There's practically no chance your counter organizer or decor will look like anyone else's. All you really need is some sort of holder, like a caddy, an old desk organizer, a small shelf, or even a two-tier fruit stand to keep items corralled in one place. Spice racks, bread boxes, and baskets are a few other great examples of items to look out for while thrifting.

What you end up using really depends on what you find and what small cups, jars, or containers can fit inside it. Suppose you come across a two-tier wicker fruit basket. It can easily work in both the bathroom and the kitchen. In the bathroom, you might add a few small glass jars for Q-tips and cotton balls, then reserve the top tier for face creams, mini lotion bottles, or lip treatments.

A two-tier fruit holder can also double as a kitchen counter organizer. The top tier can hold spices or sugar packets, while the bottom can store cupcake liners, sprinkles, or other baking essentials. You could even turn it into a mini coffee station so your morning setup looks tidy. Other thrift-store finds worth grabbing include old cookie jars you can repurpose to hold kitchen utensils or vintage jars and butter dishes that work perfectly for sponges or a dish wand. So you see, a tidier counter is just a thrift trip away.