Every House Had One In The 60s — Now It's The Cleaning Supply Thrifters Are Using As Rustic Decor

There are some old-school kitchen items that nobody uses anymore, simply because they've been replaced by better, cheaper, or easier-to-use alternatives. That's the case with old metal dustpans, for example. These guys are not nearly as convenient as today's plastic and rubber-edge dustpans, and they're not cheap either. But they're undeniably pretty. In fact, they're now a vintage find that collectors are using as rustic decor, rather than for their cleaning abilities.

Getting some of these old-school metal dustpans is a fantastic way to decorate your home and make it look straight out of a guide to cottagecore decor. One option is to attach dustpans to a wall to act as decor. You can use just one, a few, or even stack about six  of them vertically to create a floor-to-ceiling accent on a wall (leaving two or three inches between each). Other ways to decorate with these vintage thrift store finds include hanging them from a wall-mounted decorative coat rack, or resting them on a shelf instead.

We're talking about those old metal dustpans that were common in the 1950s all the way until the 1970s. They came in a variety of colors, usually with some intricate and beautiful floral details. These can be found at thrift stores, in your grandma's attic, or on eBay. But watch out, not all metal dustpans cost the same, depending on the make and condition. A pre-used and stained one might go for around $30, while a mint-condition one still in its original packaging might cost closer to $200.

When it comes to sourcing the right kinds of dustpans, you won't be out of options. A simple search for "vintage metal dustpans" on eBay will give you tons of options to select from. The front panel, under the handle, is where you'll typically find detailing such as flowers, folk designs, farm scenes, and retro lettering. In terms of colors, there's even more to choose from. Whether they're deep green, brown, light blue, or shiny and metallic, there's enough to build a colorful and eclectic collection. Since you'll be using these as decor, it's best to get pieces that aren't too stained, rusty, or damaged. No need to look for anything in pristine condition; try for a dustpan that's not so damaged that it distracts from the color and design. 

@surroundedbythrifting

Thoughts? What should I add around it? @DeePop13 #vintage #sweep #collection #homedecor #antique

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In order to attach these to the wall, measure and mark the spots where you want to hang each dustpan. Use a measuring tape to equally space out adhesive hooks or nails on the wall, and a level to make sure they're aligned horizontally. Once the hooks are on the wall, simply hang the dustpans using the small pre-made holes in the handles. 

If your dustpan is a bit too stained or rusty, you can add a bouquet of dried flowers in front of it, wrapping the stems in jute cord and attaching it in place with hot glue. You could also place the dustpan on a shelf or table, and add some smaller decor (figurines or candles) in front of it to conceal the rusty or tainted bits.