They Were Big In The '30s — Now It's The Retro Thrift Store Find That Brings Charm To A Bedroom

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Nothing quite gets the day started on the right foot like a beautifully styled vanity: your perfectly curated collection of jewelry, a signature scent in a gorgeous glass bottle, and the perfect shade of lipstick to finish every look. As it turns out, a chic GRWM (get ready with me) goes well back into the 20th century, when it was almost essential to have a Bakelite vanity set. Now, discerning and whimsical collectors are snapping up vintage sets of their own to take their bedroom vanity to the next level.

Vintage vanity sets offered a beautiful collection of items like brushes, mirrors, shoehorns, and lint brushes, sometimes even including jewelry organizers or a jewelry dish. Popular in the 1930s, Bakelite sets are having a moment thanks to their beautiful aesthetic, nostalgic value, and durability. Invented in 1907, Bakelite was the first plastic made fully from synthetic components. Thanks to its incredible heat resistance and ability to be cast into an array of shapes, it quickly became popular for jewelry, children's toys, kitchen items, and of course, housewares — including vanity sets. By the 1930s, Bakelite combined with contrasting materials, like textured aluminum, for Art Deco flair, or could be formulated into a tortoiseshell finish.

Boasting both Art Deco styling and Bakelite's durability (which is still going strong after nearly 100 years, pun intended), vintage '30s and '40s vanity sets are often found in your thrift shop's home section, if you're looking with a keen eye. To give your vanity serious vintage vibes, keep your eyes peeled for this hard plastic, often found in marbled or tortoiseshell finishes. They are also readily available on sites like Etsy and eBay, with prices typically ranging between $30 and $70. The rarer sets can cost several hundred, but chances are you can find a much lower price at your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or church thrift shop. 

But how to tell if it's real Bakelite or a cheap reproduction? Simply use gentle heat. Rub the item with your thumb until it becomes hot and then smell it. Authentic Bakelite produces a distinct phenolic smell when exposed to heat. And if you've already purchased the item, run it under some hot water at home to conduct the same test. If you smell nothing, the piece is probably made from modern plastic, not Bakelite. Additionally, Bakelite items were usually made through extrusion rather than molding, which means you're unlikely to detect seam lines.

Once you've found a set that calls to you, elevate your bathroom vanity or bedroom dressing table by displaying your wares. Combine vintage pieces with your contemporary jewelry and beauty wares as well as family heirlooms: Drape your grandmother's pearls on a jewelry tray along with your favorite lipstick. If your set has a cup, use it as a bud vase or makeup brush holder for a GRWM that's really worth filming.