Everyone Owned It In The Late 1800s — Now It's Rustic Decor We Want For Kitchens And Bathrooms

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A rustic decor aesthetic is all about creating a space that feels warm and inviting, while utilizing things that are natural, organic, and even old. It's taking something simple or unusual and incorporating it into your home naturally: for example, a pitcher and basin set. If you're looking for a vintage find that you can use as rustic decor, that was once in every house, head to a secondhand shop or antique mall and look for one of these.

Pitcher and basin sets were an essential part of any home before the rise of modern plumbing. They were a way for people to clean up with fresh water, brush their teeth, and even shave. The pitcher itself would hold the clean water, while the basin would be where the used water ended up. There were a lot of different options when it came to both the design and the materials used for these pieces, with more ornate designs being a sign of wealth and prestige. Over time, these sets fell out of favor, as plumbing became more widespread. However, they have since become something people use as decor in their homes rather than something you had to have for functional purposes. Needless to say, they look amazing as decor for your kitchen or bathroom.

These sets may no longer be as common as they once were, but you can find them secondhand. Look for matching sets, as that helps with value and aesthetics. On eBay, there are several sets to choose from, including some worth quite a bit of money. You can find a hand-painted floral set from Staffordshire that's been listed for $238 or a ceramic set with a yellow rose listed for $350. It all depends on the design you prefer, as there are also much more affordable sets available, such as a McCoy Pottery set listed for $29.98.

While people may not be using a pitcher and basin set for its intended purpose anymore, that doesn't mean that it can't still be a functional and decorative addition to either your bathroom or your kitchen. If you're lucky enough to find a matching set that works with your design aesthetic, pick it up and use it as a focal point in a kitchen, dining room, or even a bathroom. In a bathroom, it can be displayed on a shelf or on the counter next to the sink. Use it as a vase to add something fresh to this room of your home.

In a dining room, you can transform an old pitcher, with its basin, into a decorative centerpiece by adding fresh flowers, a small potted plant (depending on the size of the pitcher), or branches and greenery. Next to this centerpiece, instantly upgrade your tablescape by adding some taper candles and a table runner that will work with the pitcher to complete your rustic centerpiece. 

Even without creating a tablescape in the dining room, think about using both pieces separately on a kitchen counter. Use the basin as a fruit bowl, next to the pitcher with your flowers or branches on display. Once the fruit is gone, you can always place the pitcher back into the bowl to keep everything together and looking cohesive.