Every '70s Kitchen Had It — The Vintage Thrift Store Find That Looks Good On Countertops

Looking for ways to add some retro flair to the heart of your home (without spending hundreds on one of the many vintage kitchen appliances that are currently making a comeback)? Here's a more affordable alternative to consider: McCormick spice containers. From thyme to turmeric, these rectangular and square-shaped tins were a cooking staple in the '70s — but today, they're the perfect countertop decor.

Most of these metal tins featured McCormick's iconic red and white branding — which you'll still see on some of the company's current products, including its ground black pepper. However, depending on the type of spice and production date, certain containers have blue, green, or yellow designs as well. You might also notice that some of the iconic tins are labeled "Schilling" instead of "McCormick." That's because McCormick bought A. Schilling & Co., a San Francisco-based spice company, in 1947 but sold products under both brands for several decades afterward.

Luckily, you don't have to time travel back to the disco era to find these historic spice tins. If you like the thrill of thrifting, you can see if your local vintage stores have any McCormick containers in stock. Otherwise, sellers also list them on sites like eBay and Etsy. One perk of buying them online? You can choose the spices you want, rather than scouring nearby shops just to see if they have any available at all. Prices vary depending on the product's age and condition, with some tins costing just a few dollars each. Others can cost $20 or more.

Whether you bought your containers online or at a thrift store, there are a couple of things you'll want to do before displaying them in your home. First, as you'll see by browsing online listings, some older tins still include their original contents. In that case, you'll need to decide whether to keep the spices or not. If you'd rather empty out the jars, you can repurpose the contents with one of these creative ways to use expired spices and seasonings. After that, we suggest wiping down the containers with a clean, damp cloth to clear away any dust and dirt.

Now, onto the fun part: decorating. If you have enough space, one of the easiest ways to show off your McCormick collection is by simply displaying the tins on your countertops. Arrange them in clusters or stacks — groups of three are particularly pleasing to the eye. But if you'd prefer something more unique (and fitting with the vintage vibe), you can transform an old soda crate into a spice rack to create an entire rustic display cabinet. Then you can also try adding in other antique tins from that era to amble up the vintage vibes.